Blur has made a game-changing move to bypass OpenSea’s blacklist controls. As announced in its airdrop release, Blur is experimenting with innovative strategies to redefine how NFT marketplaces operate.
This article explores Blur’s latest tactics, the impact on the broader NFT ecosystem, and what these changes mean for creators and traders.
The Rivalry Between Blur and OpenSea
OpenSea and Blur are currently the two largest NFT marketplaces. Their competition intensified when OpenSea introduced a policy requiring new NFT projects to blacklist platforms that didn’t fully enforce creator royalties. Since Blur initially didn’t enforce royalties, it was added to OpenSea’s blacklist.
This move prevented NFT collections that enforced royalties on OpenSea from being traded on Blur.
Round One: OpenSea Takes the Lead
After Blur launched in October 2022, its trading volume grew rapidly—even surpassing OpenSea’s daily volume at times. This posed a serious threat to OpenSea’s long-standing dominance.
In response, OpenSea enforced its blacklist policy, which effectively created a defensive barrier. Major projects like Yuga Labs’ Sewer Pass aligned with OpenSea and blacklisted Blur.
Blur attempted to negotiate its removal from the blacklist by committing to enforce royalties. However, OpenSea declined, stating that its policy required universal royalty enforcement, not just for new projects.
This left Blur stuck on the blacklist, and OpenSea emerged as the winner of the first round.
The Impact on NFT Creators
Creators found themselves caught in the middle:
- Choosing OpenSea meant their NFTs couldn’t be traded on Blur.
- Opting for Blur meant OpenSea wouldn’t enforce their royalties.
Most creators sided with OpenSea, where 92% of trades honored royalties, compared to just 19% on other platforms.
Understanding Seaport: OpenSea’s Open-Source Protocol
Seaport is a decentralized, open-source Web3 marketplace protocol developed by OpenSea. It is permissionless and free to use. More than 20 teams, including OpenSea itself, have used Seaport to build NFT marketplaces.
Blur identified an opportunity within this system.
Round Two: Blur’s Strategic Move
Blur leveraged OpenSea’s own Seaport protocol to create a new trading mechanism. Since Seaport wasn’t blacklisted, Blur could use it to enable trading for previously restricted NFT collections—with full royalties enforced.
Blur now operates two trading systems:
- The original system handles non-blacklisted collections.
- The new Seaport-based system supports blacklisted projects.
For users, the experience is seamless—Blur automatically selects the right system.
Could OpenSea block this workaround?🤔
Practically, no. Since both platforms rely on Seaport, any attempt to restrict Blur would also affect OpenSea.
This strategic bypass is reminiscent of historical evasion tactics—much like how the Maginot Line was circumvented during World War II. OpenSea’s blacklist, though robust, was ultimately bypassed through ingenuity.
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Implications of Blur’s Move
For Blur
- Blur successfully circumvented OpenSea’s restrictions.
- Within days of the update, Blur captured 10% of the trading volume from previously blacklisted collections.
- Growth is expected to continue, especially with the upcoming $BLUR token airdrop.
For Creators
Creators can now earn full royalties on both OpenSea and Blur.😌
- New NFT projects can enforce royalties by blacklisting Blur in their contracts.
- Existing projects can migrate to new contracts that blacklist Blur.
For Traders
- Users can now trade all ERC721 NFTs on Blur.
- Since Blur doesn’t charge platform fees, transaction costs are lower.
- Note: Blacklisted collections can only be listed—not bid on—via Blur’s front end.
For OpenSea
- OpenSea benefits from broader adoption of Seaport, even by competitors.
- The company’s effort to protect royalties is commendable and helps attract creators to Web3.
- Enforcing royalties supports a healthier ecosystem, which ultimately benefits all platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Seaport protocol?
Seaport is an open-source, decentralized protocol developed by OpenSea. It allows anyone to build NFT marketplaces with reduced fees and improved interoperability.
How did Blur bypass OpenSea’s blacklist?
Blur integrated OpenSea’s own Seaport protocol, which wasn’t blacklisted. This allowed the platform to offer trading for restricted collections while still enforcing royalties.
Can OpenSea prevent Blur from using Seaport?
No. Because OpenSea also depends on Seaport, blocking Blur would require restricting its own infrastructure.
Do creators earn royalties on Blur now?
Yes. Through Blur’s new system, creators receive full royalties for trades—even for collections that previously blacklisted the platform.
Which platform is better for traders?
Blur offers lower fees and support for more collections, while OpenSea has a larger user base and higher royalty compliance. The best platform depends on user priorities.
Will Blur’s move affect OpenSea’s market share?
It’s likely. By supporting more collections and enforcing royalties, Blur becomes a stronger competitor. However, OpenSea remains a major player with established trust and liquidity.
Conclusion
The competition between Blur and OpenSea continues to reshape the NFT landscape. Blur’s latest move demonstrates how innovation and adaptability can challenge even the most established platforms. For creators and traders, these changes bring more options, lower costs, and greater flexibility.
As the market evolves, both platforms are likely to keep innovating—ultimately benefiting the entire NFT community.