Welcome to the OpenSea newsletter. Here’s a recap of the most important NFT and web3 news this week.
Ledger unveils Atom, a phone-like device with a dedicated secure mode
Hardware wallet manufacturer Ledger unveiled Ledger Atom at the Ledger Op3n conference in Paris on October 15. According to Ledger’s official announcement on X, Chairman and CEO Pascal Gauthier attended and introduced the device. Ledger described Atom as the first device with built-in everyday apps and 5G connectivity. When users access their private keys, Atom automatically switches to secure mode.
According to The Block, Atom runs Android and is powered by the Ledger OS operating system. Transactions are reviewed and signed in a secure mode, fully isolated from everyday apps. The limited-edition Founders Edition costs $849, with a refundable $100 deposit required to preorder. Shipping is expected to begin in summer 2027, with the exact timing dependent on certification. Solana Mobile said its Seeker apps will also be available on Atom, while Ledger said app availability depends on certification and licensing, and will be confirmed before devices ship.
The launch follows Ledger's investigation into hardware wallets sold by Southeast Asian resellers that contained unauthorized implanted chips. According to Decrypt, Ledger asked resellers and distributors in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Hong Kong to pause sales while it investigates. Onchain researchers have traced more than $86 million in suspected losses, but Ledger said it has not verified that figure. Ledger told CoinDesk that Atom has built-in tamper protection designed to prevent such chip implants, and that the device will initially be sold only through its official website.
Mastercard and BVNK launch platform for holding fiat and stablecoins side by side
According to a press release, Mastercard and BVNK—a stablecoin infrastructure company acquired by Mastercard in August—launched the Global Money platform on October 15. It is the first major integration of Mastercard and BVNK's capabilities since the acquisition.
The platform enables banks, fintech companies, and businesses to embed multicurrency accounts that hold a mix of fiat and stablecoins and convert between them through a single API. Users can spend stablecoin balances across Mastercard's merchant network and send local-currency payments using Mastercard's mobile payment services. Payments company Nuvei and card-issuing platform Marqeta are among the first to integrate the platform.
Mastercard said the platform will add support for agentic transactions and tokenized deposits in the future. The Global Money platform is now accessible through BVNK.
Art Blocks Marfa Weekend kicks off next week in West Texas
In partnership with OpenSea, Art Blocks will host its sixth annual Marfa Weekend in Marfa, Texas, from October 22 to 25. The event kicks off Thursday with community check-in and an opening party. Friday's events include the first day of the Artist Fair and a panel discussion on how art institutions are adapting to a changing landscape.
On Saturday morning, the Chinati Foundation and Art Blocks will host a sunrise viewing of Donald Judd's 15 Untitled Works in Concrete. Later that morning, the Crowley Theater will host a workshop on ABX, Art Blocks' onchain publishing stack, exploring how to publish works that can outlast the lifespan of platforms. Workshop participants include Art Blocks' Ryley, artists dadabots and Han Saglam, and it will be moderated by Art Blocks founder Erick Calderon.
The Artist Fair continues Saturday at St. George Hall, followed by Art Blocks' annual backyard barbecue. The weekend concludes Sunday with a farewell breakfast. The full schedule is available here.
Blur to shut down its website and stop issuing new Blend loans on November 12
Blur, an NFT marketplace on Ethereum, announced on X that its blur.io frontend will shut down on November 12. Blur said the change affects only the website; its marketplace protocol will continue operating onchain, and BLUR will continue to control its fee switch.
Blur's NFT lending platform Blend will stop matching new loans on the same day. Borrowers must repay their loans by that date or they will be considered in default, Blur said. It will then provide a frontend tool to help users withdraw items from Blend.
Blur also warned users to watch out for impersonators and fraudulent announcements, noting that its only official account is @blur_io.
NODE opens NODE Studio in New York
According to a post on X, NODE, a nonprofit foundation focused on digital art, has opened its second studio, NODE Studio NYC. NODE said the studio bridges its main exhibition space in Palo Alto and is designed as a multidisciplinary workspace for exploring new ideas.
NODE Studio NYC is currently open for visits by appointment only, with plans to expand access in 2027. Visits can be booked through NODE's website or by emailing nyc@nodefoundation.com.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or trading advice. Mention of a specific project, product, service, or token does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by OpenSea. OpenSea does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should independently verify any statements in this article before taking action and are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before making any decisions.
