coindesk.com
OpenSea users with Iran-based IP addresses are claiming their accounts were terminated on Thursday, in what is developing into a larger discussion about international sanctions and popular Web 3 platforms.
Multiple users took to Twitter with screenshots showing their account history had been deleted, as well as users who manage verified collections reporting those collections have been removed.
OpenSea did not respond a CoinDesk request for comment by press time.
The restrictions are likely a result of U.S. sanctions against the Iranian government, which prevent U.S. companies from providing goods or services to any user based in Iran. OpenSea is a U.S. company headquartered in New York and incorporated in Delaware.
This isn’t the first time the cryptocurrency industry has gone up against a gray area of sanctions laws – Ethereum software company Consensys unexpectedly barred a group of Iranian students from its coding academy back in November citing similar restrictions.
This story is developing and will be updated.