OpenSea Bans Cuban Artists
With the rise of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital art, more and more artists are embracing the new technology to create unique works of art. But recently, OpenSea, one of the biggest NFT marketplaces, has been faced with a controversy as it announces a ban on Cuban artists - find out in this article why they have made this decision and what it means for the future of digital artwork.
Introduction
OpenSea, an online marketplace for buying and selling digital art, has banned Cuban artists from using its platform. The decision comes after the U.S. government put new sanctions on Cuba that restrict the flow of money and goods between the two countries.
OpenSea said in a blog post that it was "compelled to comply" with the sanctions, which went into effect on May 2. The company added that it "strongly condemns" the restrictions, which it said would "harm innocent people."
Cuban artists who had been using OpenSea will no longer be able to sell their work on the platform. The ban also applies to Cuban buyers who want to purchase digital art from international sellers.
The Ban
As of October 2019, OpenSea has banned Cuban artists from using its platform. This decision was made due to the United States' embargo against Cuba, which prohibits American companies from doing business with the Cuban government.
OpenSea is an online marketplace for digital art and collectibles. It is one of the largest platforms in the industry, and its decision to ban Cuban artists has had a significant impact on the ability of those artists to sell their work.
The embargo against Cuba has been in place for over 50 years, and it shows no signs of being lifted any time soon. The US government has made it clear that it intends to continue its policy of isolating Cuba economically and diplomatically.
OpenSea was one of the few platforms that they could use, and its decision to ban them has left them feeling isolated and frustrated.
Who and What is OpenSea?
OpenSea is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of digital goods. It was founded in 2016 by Alex Atallah and Devin Finzer.
OpenSea allows users to buy and sell digital goods, including but not limited to: video games, software, in-game items, cryptocurrency assets, and virtual reality experiences. The platform also offers a number of features for developers, including an API and developer tools.
The company has raised $2.7 million in seed funding from Andreessen Horowitz, Polychain Capital, Boost VC, and others.
How the Ban Affects You
If you're an artist from Cuba, you're likely used to getting your work banned. The U.S. embargo against Cuba has been in place for over half a century, and it shows no signs of letting up.
Now, there's another ban that Cuban artists have to contend with: OpenSea, the world's largest online marketplace for digital art and collectibles, has announced that it will no longer allow Cuban artists to sell their work on its platform.
Government's recent decision to place new restrictions on transactions with Cuba. These restrictions make it illegal for OpenSea to facilitate sales of Cuban-created digital art and collectibles to buyers in the United States.
OpenSea isn't the only company that has been affected by the new restrictions; Etsy, another popular online marketplace, has also stopped allowing Cuban sellers to list their items for sale.
The ban is a major blow to Cuban artists, who have been increasingly turning to selling their work online as a way to earn a living. With both OpenSea and Etsy now off-limits, they'll need to find new platforms to sell their work or risk losing out on a crucial source of income.
Conclusion
It is clear that OpenSea’s decision to ban Cuban artists from its platform has had a huge impact on the ability of talented Cuban musicians to showcase their work and make a living. This raises serious questions about the fairness of such decisions, especially when it comes to how these bans are enforced. We must continue to fight for more equitable policies that allow all people, regardless of their nationality or political beliefs, access to opportunities like those provided by OpenSea.