What to Know
- Nifty Gateway will shut down on February 23, 2026 and has already entered withdrawal-only mode.
- Users holding USD, ETH, or NFTs will receive email instructions on how to withdraw their funds and assets safely.
- The shutdown reflects the changing NFT market, as platforms either close or evolve beyond NFT-only business models.
Nifty Gateway, one of the earliest platforms for buying, selling, and managing NFTs, has announced that it will officially close on February 23, 2026. Starting immediately, the platform has moved into “withdrawal-only mode,” which means users can no longer trade, buy, or sell NFTs on the platform. They can only withdraw their funds and digital assets.
The company shared the update through an official announcement, confirming that operations will gradually wind down over the coming months. Users who hold USD, ETH, or NFTs on Nifty Gateway will receive emails with step-by-step instructions on how to move their assets off the platform. Customers who need help can contact the company at support@niftygateway.com.
A Major Name in Early NFT History
Nifty Gateway was launched in 2020 with the goal of changing how people experience digital art. It quickly became one of the most well-known NFT platforms, hosting popular drops, artist collaborations, and curated digital collections.
Later, the platform was acquired by Gemini. This gave Nifty Gateway strong visibility and credibility during the early NFT boom. Over the years, the platform helped introduce NFTs to a wide audience and played a key role in bringing digital art into the mainstream.
In its official statement, Nifty Gateway reflected on its journey and thanked its community: “Nifty Gateway was launched with the vision of revolutionizing digital art. Since launching, Nifty supported dozens of innovative drops and brought new creative experiences to life. We are incredibly proud of the work the Nifty team has pioneered and grateful to Nifty Gateway’s customers and artists for joining us on this journey.”
A Changing NFT Market
After the NFT boom of 2021 and early 2022, the market saw a sharp decline. Trading activity dropped, user interest cooled, and many NFT platforms began struggling to maintain growth. Most major NFTs like Bored Ape, Cryptopunks are down almost 90% compared to their highs.
Fewer new users are entering the NFT space, and many existing users have shifted their focus toward other types of digital assets. This change has forced platforms to rethink their business models. Nifty Gateway’s closure reflects this reality, as NFT-only platforms find it harder to survive in the current market environment.
OpenSea’s Shift Shows Industry Trend
Just a few months earlier, in October 2025, OpenSea also announced a major change in direction. OpenSea CEO Devin Finzer said the platform is no longer focused only on NFTs. Instead, it is becoming a place to trade all types of digital assets. In October alone, OpenSea recorded over $2.6 billion in trading volume, with more than 90% coming from token trading rather than NFTs. Finzer explained that users want one simple place to manage everything, instead of using multiple apps and platforms.
OpenSea is now building itself as a full digital asset platform. The company has confirmed plans to launch:
- A new mobile app before early 2026
- A SEA token in 2026
- Tools for managing different digital assets in one place
This shows that even the biggest NFT platforms are adapting to changing user behavior.
Final Thoughts
While Nifty Gateway is closing, digital ownership itself is not disappearing. The industry is simply changing direction. NFTs may no longer be the main focus, but onchain assets, digital collectibles, and new forms of ownership continue to grow in different ways.
Nifty Gateway’s story is a reminder of how fast crypto trends change and how platforms must adapt, transform, or step aside as the market moves forward.
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