OpenSea Acquires Mobile Platform Rally to Boost Mobile Trading

OpenSea, a leading non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace, has acquired Rally, a Web3 platform with a focus on mobile adoption, aiming to bring token and NFT trading directly to mobile users.

The acquisition, announced Tuesday, underscores OpenSea’s strategic shift towards developing a mobile-centric platform for trading digital assets. OpenSea shared its vision on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Buckle up. The future of NFT and token trading fits in your pocket,” while also informing users that a revamped mobile experience from OpenSea is expected later this year.

Rally co-founders Chris Maddern and Christine Hall have joined OpenSea’s leadership team. Maddern, who will assume the role of OpenSea’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), is bringing Rally’s expertise in mobile advertising and token trading integration to the platform.

OpenSea indicated that following this acquisition, further expansion beyond NFTs into broader Web3 services is planned, hinting at the development of an “on-chain everything app.”

Focus on a Unified Mobile Experience

This move marks OpenSea’s latest effort to enhance mobile accessibility and deliver a consolidated experience for trading various digital assets on the go. In an X post, newly appointed CTO Maddern elaborated, “We are working on a product that would grow the on-chain economy for creators, collectors and traders.” His stated goal is to create a platform where tokens complement NFTs without necessarily competing.

Maddern emphasized the central role of mobile, stating OpenSea is serious about the platform as that’s where users predominantly spend their time. He also confirmed exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance user experience, making crypto safer and more intuitive. However, plans for AI integration into the mobile platform were not detailed.

Context: OpenSea’s OS2 Launch

The mobile strategy expansion follows the May rollout of OpenSea’s own OS2 platform, designed to support full token trading and fungible tokens alongside NFTs, further consolidating the trading experience.

OpenSea chief marketing officer Adam Hollander previously underscored that the platform’s vision has always involved making all on-chain activities discoverable in one place.