OpenSea sets October 15 deadline as users must link EVM wallets for SEA rewards

OpenSea is rolling out one of its biggest platform changes yet users must link an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible wallet by October 15 to remain eligible for upcoming NFT drops and the highly anticipated SEA token rewards.

The move underscores the company’s transition toward a unified, blockchain-agnostic infrastructure that prioritizes EVM chains as the core of its Opensea EVM wallet reward framework.

According to BeInCrypto, OpenSea has intensified its campaign urging users particularly those relying on Web2 logins or Solana wallets to switch over before the deadline. “No EVM wallet? No EVM prizes,” the company stated in an internal update. Those who fail to connect compatible wallets will be barred from receiving SEA tokens, NFTs, and other platform incentives.

The OpenSea Help Center further clarifies that only linked wallets will qualify for the upcoming token generation event (TGE) and associated reward pools. This integration is part of OpenSea’s broader effort to enhance transparency and align user activity directly with on-chain verification metrics.

Treasure Chests program defines the new incentive model

Central to the new Opensea EVM wallet reward policy is the Treasure Chests program, which also concludes on October 15. The chests divided into several tiers, including the high-risk Solar category will determine how many SEA tokens a user receives during the TGE.

Solar chests promise the largest rewards but come with greater volatility. It’s a double-edged sword high rewards for high engagement, said Marcus Cape, an NFT analyst at NFT Now. OpenSea is gamifying loyalty, but it’s also forcing a behavioral change that not everyone’s ready for.

OpenSea’s documentation states that every transaction, from NFT swaps to token exchanges, contributes to chest progress. These metrics decide the user’s final reward allocation. The CoinMarketCap SEA airdrop guide explains that wallet activity, trading frequency, and engagement level directly influence the number of SEA tokens received.

Fee hike to fund rewards and sustain ecosystem

In tandem with the Opensea EVM wallet reward rollout, OpenSea has raised its NFT trading fee from 0.5% to 1%, while adding a 0.85% fee on token swaps. Half of these fees will flow into a reward pool supporting the SEA token launch, along with existing assets like Optimism (OP) and Arbitrum (ARB).

This adjustment, according to Decrypt, aims to make the marketplace self-sustaining while keeping users engaged. The platform has promised to recycle revenue into user rewards rather than treating it as pure profit.

Users deserve to share in the value they help create, said an OpenSea spokesperson in a statement to CoinDesk. By linking EVM wallets, they’re effectively staking their participation in the OpenSea ecosystem.

Despite this, some NFT traders remain skeptical. They argue that OpenSea’s higher fees could push smaller creators toward rivals like Blur or Magic Eden, even as others see the long-term benefits of a unified, EVM-centric ecosystem.

User adoption, risks, and strategic vision

Industry observers note that this overhaul reflects a deeper evolution of OpenSea’s identity. Once a purely NFT marketplace, it is now positioning itself as a full-scale Web3 engagement platform. However, the Opensea EVM wallet reward model also introduces complexity. Users without compatible wallets risk losing access to collectibles, token drops, and gameified experiences.

To mitigate confusion, OpenSea has published a multi-wallet linking guide, allowing users to connect up to five EVM wallets per account. This provides flexibility for collectors who use different addresses for security or portfolio management.

According to The Block, OpenSea’s decision aligns with a broader industry trend platforms integrating deeper EVM support as liquidity migrates toward Ethereum Layer 2s like Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism.

OpenSea wants to anchor itself in the Ethereum ecosystem ahead of the SEA launch, said David Hoffman, co-founder of Bankless, in a podcast episode discussing the changes. This is not just a technical adjustment as it’s a strategic bet on where NFT liquidity will live.

What NFT traders should do before October 15

For crypto investors and NFT enthusiasts, time is running out to prepare for the Opensea EVM wallet reward transition. Experts recommend taking the following steps:

1. Link your EVM wallet (e.g., MetaMask, WalletConnect, or Coinbase Wallet) before the October 15 deadline.
2. Engage in trades and token swaps to maximize Treasure Chest progress.
3. Track reward updates on the official OpenSea Rewards Portal for claim instructions.
4. Monitor SEA token launch details through OpenSea’s blog and verified X (Twitter) posts.

Failure to act could mean exclusion from one of the year’s most significant airdrops. As OpenSea consolidates its ecosystem under the Opensea EVM wallet reward umbrella, one thing is clear: the marketplace is redefining NFT ownership around interoperability, engagement, and direct participation in value creation.