Bitcoin NFTs Axed By Magic Eden In Strategic Gambling Pivot

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-03-03Last updated on 2026-03-03

Abstract

Magic Eden, a prominent Solana NFT marketplace, is significantly scaling back its multi-chain expansion. The platform will discontinue support for Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains, Bitcoin Ordinals, and Runes by March 9, with its Bitcoin API and self-custody wallet shutting down later in March and April. This strategic pivot is driven by high engineering costs and low returns from these ventures, which contributed only a small fraction of overall revenue. The company will refocus its resources on its core Solana marketplace and a new on-chain casino product, Dicey. A closed beta for Dicey attracted approximately 200 users who wagered over $15 million in two months, demonstrating a more promising revenue stream than the struggling NFT markets. CEO Jack Lu stated the move is a pragmatic shift towards products with a clearer path to profitability, including the planned addition of a sportsbook. The decision reflects a broader industry trend of consolidation in response to prolonged NFT market weakness.

A well-known Solana NFT marketplace that once pushed hard into Bitcoin and other chains has quietly started to shrink its footprint.

Reports say the shift will be fast and clear: several services will stop working in March and April as the company focuses where it thinks the money is.

Magic Eden Pulls Back To Solana

The change is not small. Support for EVM and Bitcoin Ordinals and Runes is being wound down on March 9th, with the Bitcoin API shutting on March 27 and the platform’s self-custody wallet set to go fully offline on April 1.

Reports note that the marketplace will keep Solana support and some Pack products, but many cross-chain tools will disappear. Users have been told to move assets or export keys before the cutoff dates to avoid losing access.

Why This Happened

Costs and returns drove the move. According to posts from company leadership, most engineering and infrastructure costs were tied to products that brought in only a fraction of the revenue.

In plain terms: a lot of work for little money. That math pushed a rethink about where to spend limited resources. One part of the business is being doubled down on: an on-chain casino called Dicey that ran a closed beta earlier this year and drew heavy betting volume.

What The Beta Showed

Dicey’s trial phase attracted around 200 users who placed roughly $15,000,000 in wagers over two months. Reports say that number convinced management the product could make stronger returns than the quieter NFT markets the company had been supporting.

The casino plans to add a sportsbook and other betting features, and the firm argues betting could be a steadier source of fees than low-volume NFT listings.

BTCUSD now trading at $65,502. Chart: TradingView

Market Effects And Reaction

The broader NFT market has been weak for months, and this shutdown is one of several signs that platforms are trimming offerings. Some collectors and builders will be annoyed, since tools and markets they used are being removed.

Others will see the move as pragmatic — a firm choosing fewer products it understands well over many it does not. Coverage from industry outlets picked up the story quickly once leadership posted details on social channels.

A Word From The CEO

Jack Lu wrote that the company was refocusing on its original Solana work and on products with clearer paths to revenue.

He described the closed beta’s results as “encouraging” and said the company will stop its NFT buyback program to free up resources for the betting product.

Featured image from www.outsideonline.com, chart from TradingView

Related Questions

QWhat services is Magic Eden discontinuing as part of its strategic pivot?

AMagic Eden is discontinuing support for EVM, Bitcoin Ordinals, and Runes on March 9th, shutting down its Bitcoin API on March 27, and taking its self-custody wallet fully offline on April 1.

QWhat is the primary reason behind Magic Eden's decision to scale back its multi-chain support?

AThe primary reason is the high engineering and infrastructure costs associated with these products, which were only bringing in a small fraction of the company's total revenue, making them financially unsustainable.

QWhat new product is Magic Eden focusing its resources on instead?

AMagic Eden is doubling down on an on-chain casino product called Dicey, which showed promising results in its closed beta test with around 200 users wagering over $15 million.

QWhat was the key metric from the Dicey beta that convinced management to pivot?

AThe key metric was that approximately 200 users wagered more than $15 million over a two-month period, indicating a strong potential for higher returns compared to the NFT marketplace.

QHow did CEO Jack Lu describe the company's new strategic direction?

AJack Lu stated the company is refocusing on its original Solana work and on products with clearer paths to revenue, describing the Dicey beta results as 'encouraging' and announcing the end of the NFT buyback program to free up resources.

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