The Merge is one of the most transformative events in Ethereum’s history, marking its transition from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. As this pivotal upgrade approaches, major players across the Web3 ecosystem are aligning their infrastructure to support the new Ethereum reality. Among them, OpenSea — the world’s largest NFT marketplace — has confirmed it will exclusively support Ethereum’s PoS chain post-Merge.
This strategic decision underscores OpenSea’s commitment to network stability, sustainability, and long-term scalability. With environmental concerns around blockchain energy consumption gaining traction, Ethereum’s shift to PoS promises a 99.95% reduction in energy usage. OpenSea’s endorsement reinforces confidence in Ethereum’s upgraded infrastructure and signals a broader industry consensus: the future of Ethereum is staking-based.
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Why OpenSea Is Backing Ethereum PoS Exclusively
OpenSea announced on September 1 via Twitter that it “is committed to solely supporting NFTs on the upgraded Ethereum PoS chain.” This means that after The Merge, only NFTs residing on the official Ethereum PoS network will be recognized and supported by the platform. Any forked version of Ethereum that continues using proof-of-work will not be compatible with OpenSea.
This move mirrors decisions made by other key crypto infrastructure providers. For example, Circle — the issuer of USDC stablecoin — stated that “USDC as an Ethereum asset can only exist as a single valid ‘version.’” Similarly, Chainlink has declared support for the PoS chain only. These coordinated efforts help prevent market fragmentation and maintain liquidity across decentralized applications.
By aligning with the canonical PoS chain, OpenSea ensures continuity for users, developers, and creators who rely on predictable standards. It also minimizes confusion during what could be a volatile period of network transition.
The Merge: What You Need to Know
Ethereum’s long-anticipated Merge is expected to occur between September 10 and September 20, 2025. This upgrade will replace the current energy-intensive mining process with a staking mechanism where validators lock up ETH to secure the network.
Multiple testnet merges — including Ropsten, Goerli, and Sepolia — have already succeeded without major issues, boosting confidence in the mainnet transition. The success of these trials suggests that the final Merge will proceed smoothly, though some short-term volatility or congestion may still occur.
For NFT holders and traders on OpenSea, no immediate action is required. Your existing NFTs will automatically reside on the PoS chain once The Merge completes. Wallets like MetaMask and Ledger have also updated their systems to ensure seamless compatibility.
Seaport Protocol Expands to Polygon and EVM-Compatible Chains
In parallel with its Ethereum strategy, OpenSea has enhanced its open-source Seaport protocol by adding support for Polygon — a leading layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum.
This integration brings several benefits:
- No listing thresholds: Anyone can list NFTs without minimum balance requirements.
- MATIC-denominated transactions: Users can buy, sell, and bid using MATIC tokens.
- Multiple creator fees: Artists can earn royalties across different sales points.
- Bulk transfers: Streamlined management of multiple NFTs at once.
- Auction types: Support for both English and Dutch auctions.
- Lower offer minimums: The minimum offer amount has been reduced from $5 to $1.
Additionally, OpenSea revealed plans to extend Seaport support to Klaytn and other EVM-compatible blockchains in the coming months. This multi-chain expansion reflects a broader trend toward interoperability and user choice in the NFT space.
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NFT Market Downturn: Context Behind Declining Volumes
Despite these technical advancements, OpenSea faces headwinds due to broader market conditions. Since peaking in May 2022, NFT trading volume on the platform has dropped by over 90%. On May 1, OpenSea recorded $405 million in daily volume; by August 28, that figure had fallen to approximately $5 million.
This decline reflects the ongoing crypto winter — a prolonged bear market marked by reduced investor sentiment, macroeconomic pressures, and declining speculative activity. While high-profile projects like Bored Ape Yacht Club and CryptoPunks once dominated headlines, interest has cooled amid market uncertainty.
However, this downturn does not indicate stagnation. Core development around NFTs continues at pace. Innovations in areas like soulbound tokens, dynamic NFTs, and real-world asset tokenization suggest long-term utility beyond digital collectibles.
Moreover, institutional adoption is growing. Companies like Nike and Reddit have launched meaningful NFT initiatives, signaling sustained belief in the technology’s potential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will my NFTs disappear after The Merge?
A: No. All existing NFTs on Ethereum will remain intact after The Merge. They will simply operate on the new proof-of-stake network.
Q: Do I need to do anything to prepare for The Merge?
A: Most users don’t need to take any action. Wallets and marketplaces like OpenSea are handling the transition automatically.
Q: Can I still use OpenSea if I hold NFTs on PoW Ethereum?
A: No. After The Merge, OpenSea will only support NFTs on the official Ethereum PoS chain. Any alternative PoW forks will not be supported.
Q: Why did OpenSea reduce the minimum offer from $5 to $1?
A: Lowering the threshold increases accessibility, allowing more users to participate in bidding, especially for lower-value or emerging artist NFTs.
Q: Is Polygon now fully integrated into OpenSea?
A: Yes, Polygon is now supported through the Seaport protocol, enabling gas-efficient trading and broader user access.
Q: Are other blockchains being added besides Polygon?
A: Yes. OpenSea plans to support Klaytn and additional EVM-compatible chains in the near future.
Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Scalability Drive Adoption
OpenSea’s decisions — backing Ethereum PoS and expanding Seaport to scalable chains — reflect two critical priorities: network sustainability and user accessibility. As environmental scrutiny intensifies and gas fees remain a barrier on mainnet Ethereum, layer-2 solutions and energy-efficient consensus models are becoming essential.
These moves position OpenSea not just as an NFT marketplace but as a foundational layer in the evolving Web3 economy. By embracing technological evolution and responding to market dynamics, OpenSea aims to remain at the forefront of digital ownership innovation.
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Core Keywords:
Ethereum Proof of Stake, The Merge, OpenSea NFT, Seaport Protocol, Polygon blockchain, NFT trading volume, EVM-compatible chains, crypto winter