Online Art Sales Stabilize After Peak Growth Period

In 2025, global online art sales normalized, declining to $9.2 billion, which represents 15% of total auction revenue, the lowest share since 2019. This follows a historic surge in 2020 when digital transactions accounted for 25% of the market. Online platforms dominate lower-value transactions under $50,000, contributing 63% of exclusively online auction value, while high-end sales above $1 million make up only 2% of online value compared to 56% for physical auctions. Despite the drop in value, digital sales continue to attract new buyers, with 40% of gallery online sales in 2025 going to first-time purchasers. The report no longer mentions NFTs, noting that in 2024, NFT-certified collectibles like monkey images generated $3 billion in revenue, but 2025 data indicated downward pressure on that market. The article, published by Le Journal des Arts on March 19, 2026, highlights the stabilization of the online art segment after earlier rapid expansion.