OpenSea Pro Launches to Compete With Blur
Amid rising competition from Blur, NFT marketplace leader OpenSea has introduced a new platform — OpenSea Pro — featuring zero trading fees for a limited time. The platform aims to attract professional NFT traders with deep liquidity, advanced order tools, and faster transaction speeds.
OpenSea Pro, previously known as Gem, was acquired by OpenSea in April 2022. The move marks a strategic attempt to reclaim market dominance by offering professional-grade trading capabilities similar to Blur’s model.
Advanced Tools and Aggregated Liquidity
OpenSea Pro enables collectors to access the “best deals and insights” from over 170 marketplaces. It introduces advanced order types, real-time cross-marketplace data, and automation features. Users can also take advantage of optimized gas fees, instant sales options, and robust inventory management.
The platform offers additional features like live mint tracking, watchlists, and batch transfers — all accessible via mobile devices.
According to OpenSea, the “Pro” platform is designed to serve the “power user community,” while the classic OpenSea interface continues to cater to casual collectors and newcomers.
The Blur Challenge
OpenSea’s dominance since 2021 has been tested by Blur, an upstart NFT marketplace that has rapidly gained traction. Following its February 2023 token launch, Blur’s trading activity surged, allowing it to surpass OpenSea in Ethereum-based NFT trading volume.
In response, OpenSea removed its 2.5% transaction fee and temporarily reduced creator royalties to remain competitive.
OpenSea’s latest move with OpenSea Pro underscores the intensifying competition within the NFT ecosystem, as marketplaces race to capture both casual and professional users with better incentives and trading tools.
