OpenSea plans to introduce its highly awaited SEA token in the first quarter of 2026, according to CEO Devin Finzer.
Half of the total token supply will be allocated to the community, with a significant amount available for an initial claim. Users with historical platform activity and participants in rewards programs will receive special consideration, Finzer shared on social media.
This launch coincides with a strategic pivot for OpenSea, which has been recognized as the largest marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This month, the platform noted over $2.6 billion in trading volume, with over 90% stemming from token trading.
The SEA token will be integrated into the core OpenSea experience, Finzer stated. Users will have the opportunity to stake the token on their preferred collections or projects, and at launch, 50% of the platform’s revenue will be utilized to buy SEA.
The token’s release follows more than a year after its initial announcement. Since the announcement, speculation regarding its structure and timing has increased, including bets on prediction platforms like Polymarket.
Finzer’s announcement caused perceived odds of the SEA token launching this year to plummet from nearly 40% to less than 1%.
In the interim, OpenSea has introduced new features, including a mobile application and support for perpetual futures trading, Finzer noted.