OpenSea, the NFT marketplace that was valued at a staggering $13.3 billion in early 2022, has announced a reduction of its workforce by approximately 50%. This move comes as the company seeks to become a more agile entity in the face of a rapidly changing digital asset market.
Once the crown jewel of the NFT world, OpenSea has experienced the volatility of the crypto space firsthand. The platform, which saw billions in monthly trading volumes during the NFT boom, faced a downturn mid-2022, coinciding with declining cryptocurrency prices. This resulted in OpenSea facing criticism for its stance on creator royalties and falling behind competitors like Blur in trading volumes despite still having a larger user base.
In response to these challenges, OpenSea’s co-founder and CEO, Devin Finzer, outlined a new vision. The plan, referred to as ‘OpenSea 2.0’, focuses on revitalizing the platform with advanced technology, enhanced reliability, and an improved user experience. Finzer’s strategy emphasizes innovation, speed, and decisive action to reposition OpenSea as a market leader.
As part of the restructuring, OpenSea is also transitioning to a flatter organizational structure. The affected staff will be compensated with severance pay, extended health care benefits, and expedited equity vesting, reflecting the company’s commitment to its employees even in the face of necessary cutbacks.
This decisive pivot underscores the company’s determination to adapt and thrive amidst the uncertainties of the NFT marketplace. By doubling down on what users and creators value most, OpenSea aims to chart a path back to the forefront of the NFT industry. The market will be watching to see if these bold moves will help OpenSea navigate through the current economic turbulence and emerge stronger on the other side.
Source: https://decrypt.co/204371/opensea-slashes-nft-marketplace-staff-50-layoffs
Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-cell-phone-and-a-pen-on-a-table-jdaeD1ASlIU
Secret3 is committed to responsible and ethical reporting.
