Blur

Blur is a decentralized NFT marketplace launched in October 2022, catering specifically to professional traders and high-volume users. It distinguishes itself from other platforms like OpenSea by offering advanced trading tools such as real-time price feeds, batch listing, and portfolio management features that are tailored for experienced traders. The platform’s zero-fee structure was designed to maximize liquidity and trading speed, making it ideal for users who frequently buy and sell NFTs.

Blur’s focus on professional users is evident from its streamlined interface and emphasis on providing real-time data, enabling traders to make fast decisions in a highly dynamic NFT market. The platform supports a wide range of Ethereum-based NFTs, and its competitive edge comes from offering deeper analytics and faster transactions than more generalist marketplaces.

In February 2023, Blur introduced its native governance token, BLUR, which opened up opportunities for community participation in platform governance. This token incentivized users through staking and rewards, driving substantial trading activity on the platform. Shortly after its token launch, Blur saw a significant increase in trading volume, attracting both retail and institutional NFT traders.

One of the most notable innovations by Blur was the introduction of Blend in May 2023. Blend (short for Blur Lending) is a decentralized NFT lending protocol that allows users to take perpetual loans against NFTs without any expiration. This protocol made it possible for NFT holders to unlock liquidity from their assets without needing to sell them, thus offering flexibility for NFT investors. Within a short period, Blend captured over 80% of the NFT lending market, reinforcing Blur’s position as a leader in NFT finance.

Throughout 2023, Blur launched several airdrops as part of its loyalty rewards program, encouraging user engagement and rewarding early adopters. The platform distributed millions of dollars worth of BLUR tokens through airdrops in August 2023 and October 2023, further increasing trading volumes and expanding its user base.

In June 2024, Blur launched Season 4 of its reward program, distributing 5 billion BLAST tokens as part of a loyalty program set to run until June 2025. This continued focus on rewarding active users has helped Blur maintain high levels of trading activity. Furthermore, Blur remains the dominant player in the NFT trading space, consistently capturing a significant share of Ethereum-based NFT trading volume, often exceeding 80% of the total market share​.

With its robust infrastructure, innovative features like Blend, and an active community of traders, Blur has quickly positioned itself as a key platform for professional NFT trading, combining high-speed, zero-fee transactions with sophisticated tools for experienced users.