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OpenSea Restricts Users in Iran Due to U.S. Sanctions: What Creators & Collectors Should Know

OpenSea Restricts Users in Iran Due to U.S. Sanctions

What the policy means for affected creators and collectors, plus practical steps to safeguard assets and data.

OpenSea marketplace policy notice regarding Iran-based users
Compliance with sanctions can limit access to Web3 platforms in certain regions—even when assets remain on-chain.
Key takeaways
  • Legal compliance: Marketplaces must follow sanctions rules; access from certain regions can be blocked.
  • On-chain vs. platform: NFTs in self-custody stay on-chain, but listing/bidding features can be disabled.
  • Backups & records: Preserve wallet addresses, tx hashes, and off-chain metadata (images, JSON) you control.

Context: Sanctions & NFT Marketplaces

U.S.-based or U.S.-connected platforms generally enforce sanctions using IP geoblocking, KYC checks, and activity monitoring. Policies can change as regulations evolve and providers refine compliance controls.

Who’s Impacted & How

  • Accounts in sanctioned regions: Access to listing, buying, and selling may be disabled.
  • Custodial dependencies: If any storage or payments flow is custodial, withdrawals can be restricted.
  • Third-party apps: Wallets/indexers may show assets, but marketplace actions can fail due to policy.

Practical Steps for Creators & Collectors

  • Self-custody first: Ensure your NFTs are in wallets you control. Back up seed phrases offline.
  • Back up metadata: Pin artwork/metadata to decentralized storage (IPFS/Arweave) and keep copies.
  • Export records: Save tx hashes, token IDs, provenance notes, and royalty settings you control.
  • Avoid risky workarounds: Circumventing sanctions can carry legal risk. Seek legal advice first.

Informational only—not legal advice. If you think your account was flagged in error, contact support via official channels.

Risks, Workarounds & Cautions

  • Visibility loss: Items may be delisted or hidden until restrictions lift.
  • Royalty interruptions: Off-chain royalty enforcement can stop if listings are disabled.
  • Security: Beware phishing claiming to “restore” access. Verify domains and signatures.

FAQs

Are my NFTs gone if I can’t log in?

No. If they’re in a self-custodied wallet, they remain on-chain. Access to this marketplace’s features can be restricted.

Can I move NFTs to another marketplace?

Transfers on-chain may still be possible, but other platforms may enforce similar rules. Review each platform’s policy and your local laws.

How do I prove ownership?

Ownership is tied to your wallet’s private key. On-chain explorers (e.g., Etherscan) show token ownership and history via tx hashes and token IDs.

Disclaimer: Informational overview only. Sanctions rules and platform policies can change; always review official announcements and local regulations.

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