After Nike sold RTFKT, Clone X surged 340% in 7 days, with LVMH and Pudgy Penguins becoming the biggest suspense.

RTFKT’s NFT series Clone X has recently shown astonishing price performance. According to the latest news, the floor price of Clone X is now 0.38 ETH, reaching a new high since April 2024, with a 339.8% increase over the past 7 days, and briefly touching 0.44 ETH last weekend. Behind this price movement is a major announcement: Nike quietly completed the sale of RTFKT in December 2025, with the buyer’s identity still undisclosed.

The Core Drivers Behind the Price Surge

Market Reaction Triggered by the Sale Event

Nike’s decision to sell became the direct catalyst for Clone X’s price surge. Since hitting the high in April 2024, Clone X experienced a prolonged downturn, and this sale news broke the market’s silence. Trading activity has significantly increased, indicating that investors are optimistic about RTFKT’s new prospects.

Based on the current ETH price of $3,157, the 0.38 ETH floor price is approximately $1,200, while the peak of 0.44 ETH approaches $1,400. Although still below the NFT’s all-time high, a 340% 7-day increase clearly reflects a shift in market sentiment.

Market Expectations and Logic

Market speculation suggests that after breaking away from the large corporate framework of Nike, RTFKT may follow examples like Pudgy Penguins and Moonbirds to revive the project through brand restructuring. Such cases show that NFT projects spun off from traditional big companies often garner stronger community support and operational efficiency improvements.

Market Speculation on the Buyer

The Two Most Likely Candidates

Currently, the main market speculation points to LVMH and Pudgy Penguins as the potential buyers. Both options have their own rationale:

Excluded Options

It’s important to note that several industry heavyweights have explicitly denied involvement in the acquisition:

• Improbable co-founder Herman Narula
• Yuga Labs, parent company of Bored Ape Yacht Club
• Billionaire collector Adam Weitsman

These denials further reinforce the market’s confidence in the authenticity of the acquisition.

Deeper Context Behind Market Speculation

Key Details About Pudgy Penguins

According to crypto KOL analysis, RTFKT founder Zaptio attended a Pudgy Penguins co-creator gathering last year, and subsequently posted “Clones are so back,” hinting at project revival. While not direct evidence, this detail is enough for the market to consider Pudgy Penguins as the hottest speculation.

Additionally, Pudgy Penguins CEO Luca Netz has long been a Clone X holder, and this historical connection and understanding of the project make Pudgy Penguins a highly plausible candidate.

Strategic Significance of LVMH

LVMH’s NFT strategy has always been deliberate. Its past collaboration with Murakami provides a natural synergy for acquiring Clone X. If LVMH is indeed the buyer, it would mark another strategic move by a traditional luxury group into the NFT space.

Future Focus Points

Regardless of who the final buyer is, Clone X’s development path warrants close attention. Pudgy Penguins’ revival after acquisition shows that new ownership structure, clear project planning, and community engagement are often key factors in whether an NFT project can regain market recognition.

The current price surge reflects market expectations for the new owner, but whether these expectations will be fulfilled depends on the actual operational capabilities of the new owner.

Summary

The 340% increase in Clone X is not unfounded but a rational market response to Nike’s major sale of RTFKT. LVMH and Pudgy Penguins are the most favored candidates, each with strong reasons supporting market speculation. Regardless of who ultimately acquires it, this event could become another significant case study in NFT project governance and revival. The buyer’s identity remains confidential, but the market has clearly voted with its price.