In a surprising announcement that has sent ripples through the Cardano (ADA) ecosystem, JPG Store, the leading NFT marketplace on the blockchain, has confirmed it will permanently close its doors on May 23, 2026. The platform, which has facilitated the majority of NFT trading on Cardano since its launch in 2021, cited “operational unsustainability” as the primary reason for the decision. Alongside JPG Store, its companion platform, Comet, will also be sunset.
The shutdown is being executed in two distinct phases to allow users adequate time to manage their assets. Phase one, known as “Restriction Mode,” began on April 23, 2026. During this phase, essential functions such as new listings, offers, loans, and minting have been disabled. However, users can still purchase existing listings, cancel active orders, and repay loans. The second phase, scheduled for May 23, 2026, will see the website permanently redirect to a closure notice page, ceasing all functionality.
Users are urged to take critical actions before the deadline. Holders of NFTs in self-custody wallets, such as Lace, Eternl, or Flint, do not need to take immediate action, as their assets will remain accessible through other platforms that aggregate JPG Store’s smart contracts. However, those using “social login” wallets must migrate their assets to a standard Web3 wallet before May 23 to avoid losing access. Additionally, any users with active listings, pending offers, or open loans must cancel or settle those positions before the deadline.
Importantly, JPG Store’s smart contracts will continue to exist on the blockchain even after the website shuts down. This means technically proficient users can still interact with these contracts using the Cardano CLI or through alternative marketplaces. However, the team strongly advised non-technical users to act before the deadline, as relying on command-line tools requires advanced technical knowledge.
In a final gesture, the JPG Store team released open-source contract repositories and smart contract addresses to support continued community development on Cardano. “While we deeply value the people who have supported us, the platforms have reached a stage where they are no longer sustainable to operate,” the team wrote, reflecting the broader challenges facing the NFT market. This closure follows a troubling trend in the sector, with other major marketplaces like Nifty Gateway and Immutable also shutting down in recent months.
