Reservoir Shuts Down NFT Services, Pivots to Broader Token Infrastructure

In a move that shocked the crypto world, Reservoir, the backbone of NFT trading on platforms like Coinbase and MetaMask, is pulling the plug on its NFT services. This decision, announced on April 24 via an X post, marks a significant shift as Reservoir pivots to a new project called Relay, aimed at supporting a broader token infrastructure.

• Reservoir to cease NFT services on October 15, 2025
• Recent $14 million Series A funding
• Partnerships with Alchemy and Sequence for transition
• Focus shifting to new token infrastructure project, Relay

Reservoir, a blockchain infrastructure startup, has been crucial for platforms like Coinbase, MetaMask, and Magic Eden, providing the backend support necessary for seamless NFT trading. An API (Application Programming Interface), which is a set of protocols and tools for building software and applications, was a key component of these services. The company’s decision to sunset these services, effective October 15, 2025, comes just two months after securing $14 million in Series A funding, which was intended to expand its NFT trading infrastructure.

The pivot to Relay, a project focused on token infrastructure, reflects Reservoir’s response to the unpredictable ups and downs of the NFT market. Relay aims to empower users to swap, bridge, or buy tokens, including NFTs, with any currency on any supported chain—instantly. Think of swapping tokens as exchanging one type of digital currency for another, bridging as moving tokens between different blockchain networks, and buying tokens as purchasing them with any supported currency. This shift could signal a broader market trend towards more generalized token services beyond NFTs.

To facilitate a smooth transition for its users, Reservoir has partnered with blockchain development platforms Alchemy and Sequence. These partnerships will provide specific services to help users move their infrastructure in-house, ensuring minimal disruptions. Additionally, Reservoir is open-sourcing its codebase, allowing users to maintain and adapt the infrastructure themselves. This move not only supports the community but also reflects Reservoir’s commitment to maintaining goodwill despite the shutdown.

The decision to pivot away from NFTs so soon after a significant funding round raises questions about the sustainability and profitability of NFT-specific services. Industry analysts have noted that this might indicate a cooling of the NFT hype, prompting companies to reassess their focus and potentially shift towards more sustainable token infrastructure projects. According to recent market analysis, NFT trading volumes have dropped by 30% in the last quarter, signaling a shift in investor interest.

Despite the shutdown, the involvement of prominent investors like Union Square Ventures and Coinbase Ventures in Reservoir’s Series A funding round suggests continued confidence in the company’s vision. The future of token infrastructure looks promising with Relay’s focus on instant bridging and swaps across multiple chains, positioning Reservoir to play a significant role in the broader token economy.

After much consideration, we’ve decided to sunset Reservoir NFT, the API, and associated services on October 15th, 2025. Thank you to all our customers & partners for your trust and support over the years.

We’re excited to continue supporting the token economy with Relay — empowering users to swap, bridge, or buy tokens (including NFTs!) with any currency on any chain we support — instantly.

Imagine being able to swap your tokens as easily as changing channels on your TV. That’s the vision Reservoir has with Relay. The NFT market’s rollercoaster ride has left many wondering if it’s a sustainable business model or just a flash in the pan. Reservoir’s NFT services are going the way of the dodo, but don’t worry, they’re not extinct yet—they’re just evolving into something new and exciting.

From a Bitcoin maximalist perspective, this move might be seen as a sign of the broader crypto market’s instability compared to Bitcoin’s stability. Bitcoin maximalists might question the sustainability of such pivots, emphasizing Bitcoin’s role as a more reliable and foundational digital asset.

Reservoir’s pivot to Relay aligns with the principles of effective accelerationism (e/acc), pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the token economy. This move is a testament to the company’s commitment to disrupting the status quo and driving innovation forward.

As Reservoir navigates this transition, the impact on its users, particularly those of Coinbase and MetaMask, will be closely watched. The partnerships and open-sourced codebase are steps towards mitigating any disruptions, but the broader implications for the NFT market and the token economy at large remain to be seen.

Key Takeaways and Questions

• Why is Reservoir shutting down its NFT services?

  Reservoir is shifting focus to a broader token infrastructure project called Relay, aiming to support more comprehensive token activities across various blockchain networks.

• How will this shutdown impact users of Coinbase and MetaMask?

  Users may experience disruptions in NFT trading, but partnerships with Alchemy and Sequence aim to ease the transition. The open-sourcing of the codebase is also intended to help users adapt to the changes.

• What is the significance of the pivot to Relay?

  The pivot to Relay signifies a strategic move towards more generalized token services, potentially indicating a broader market trend away from NFT-specific infrastructure.

• How does this move align with effective accelerationism?

  The pivot to Relay aligns with effective accelerationism by pushing the boundaries of token infrastructure, aiming to disrupt the status quo and drive innovation in the token economy.

• What does this mean for the future of NFTs?

  This move suggests a potential cooling of the NFT hype, with companies reevaluating the sustainability and profitability of NFT-specific services, possibly shifting towards more sustainable token infrastructure projects.