Magic Eden Launches New US Domain, Separates Services for US and International Users

Magic Eden unveiled a strategic update to its domain structure, aiming to better cater to both US and international users. As of this month, US users will access the platform through the new domain, magiceden(.)us, while users outside the US will continue using magiceden(.)io.

Magic Eden has emphasized that despite the change in domains, both magiceden(.)us and magiceden(.)io will offer the same core services. 

The international .io domain will be the focus for innovation and feature enhancements, while the US domain will maintain the current service offerings.

It follows regulatory actions against other NFT platforms, such as the recent Wells notice of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against OpenSea.

Community Reaction and Concerns

The announcement has sparked notable backlash from the crypto community. Some users expressed frustration over the perceived limitations imposed by the new domain structure. Concerns have been raised about the potential loss of features such as airdrops, which may not be available to US residents.

One vocal critic suggested that Magic Eden's move could be seen as a restriction, arguing that it reflects a centralized approach and raises questions about the platform's commitment to global accessibility. Other community members shared this sentiment, stating that they may not be able to fully engage with the platform due to the separation of services.

Magic Eden's Market Position

Despite the recent backlash, Magic Eden remains a dominant force in the NFT marketplace sector. With a 36.7% market share and $122.47 million in monthly trading volume as of August 2024, Magic Eden continues to lead the market, according to CoinGecko. The platform has maintained its top position for six consecutive months, reflecting its strong performance and user engagement.

Over the course of 2022 and 2023, the platform's market share shifted significantly from Solana NFTs to other NFTs. However, its strategic integration of Bitcoin Ordinals in early 2024 allowed Magic Eden to capture the largest market share, surpassing competitors like Blur.