OpenSea has introduced a suspension of XP rewards for bidding and itemizing NFTs, following criticism that the system was being exploited for high-frequency buying and selling.
The XP system, launched as a part of the OS2 replace, was designed to incentivise market exercise forward of the upcoming $SEA token airdrop. Nonetheless, merchants shortly discovered methods to build up XP via speedy, low-cost transactions.
The pause comes after neighborhood members argued that OpenSea’s strategy inspired hypothesis over long-term participation. In response, OpenSea has introduced a pause on XP rewards for bidding and itemizing while it reassesses its strategy.

What has been OpenSea’s response?
In a press release from OpenSea CEO Devin Finzer, XP rewards for bidding and itemizing shall be paused while reassessing its incentive construction. The corporate acknowledged the considerations however maintained that liquidity incentives stay an important a part of a aggressive market.
“We’ve heard the suggestions on the present XP system, and we’re placing a pause on XP given straight for itemizing and bidding,” mentioned Finzer. The platform will now focus its rewards programme on XP shipments, which had been designed to recognise broader participation, reminiscent of shopping for and holding NFTs.
The second spherical of shipments has already been distributed, prioritising customers who bought NFTs on OS2, with extra XP multipliers given to those that have held high-volume NFT initiatives for over three months. OpenSea famous that future shipments would proceed to reward consumers and holders, although it didn’t specify how incessantly these rewards can be distributed.
OpenSea additionally pushed again in opposition to a few of the criticism it acquired, stating that sure assaults seemed to be pushed by exterior efforts to break its status. “We’re listening intently as we construct, however we gained’t be bullied,” the Finzer said.


How has the neighborhood reacted to the adjustments?
The choice has sparked combined reactions, with some business figures welcoming OpenSea’s willingness to regulate, while others stay sceptical concerning the route of its rewards programme.
Betty, CEO and Co-Founding father of DeadFellaz, supported the transfer however harassed that the neighborhood’s frustration stemmed from wanting OpenSea to pay attention and enhance noting that OpenSea “nonetheless maintain a number of weight within the business.”
Others questioned whether or not long-time OpenSea customers and early market contributors would obtain sufficient recognition. ARTXCODE Co-founder Toni Marinara urged that the platform ought to prioritise rewarding customers with exercise previous to $SEA announcement in the event that they wish to “dissuade farming and reward precise loyal Opensea customers.” Some customers additionally expressed frustration over the distribution of XP shipments, arguing that newer customers had been being prioritised. One member questioned why “those that paid hundreds in platform charges” over time appeared to be neglected in favour of beta testers who had solely just lately joined the platform.
While XP rewards for bidding and itemizing are briefly on maintain, OpenSea has not dominated out future liquidity incentives. With the $SEA token launch approaching, OpenSea might want to refine its rewards system while sustaining person engagement.
As these changes proceed, whether or not OpenSea strikes a steadiness between incentivising market exercise and making certain long-term stability within the NFT house stays to be seen.