Key Takeaways:
JPG Store, the leading non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace on the Cardano blockchain, will permanently cease operations on May 23, 2026, giving users a 30-day window to migrate assets. The platform, a central hub for the Cardano NFT community since 2021, cited a lack of operational sustainability as the core reason for the closure of both the marketplace and its accompanying Comet platform.
"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 JPG Store team wrote in their announcement.
The shutdown process is structured in two phases. A restriction mode, which began on April 23, has already disabled new listings, offers, loans, and minting functions. During this initial 30-day period, users can still purchase existing listings, cancel any active orders, and repay outstanding loans. On May 23, all marketplace functionality will end, and the website will redirect to a final shutdown notice.
Users with NFTs held in self-custody wallets like Lace, Eternl, or Flint will not need to take any action, as their assets remain secure on the blockchain and accessible through other platforms that aggregate JPG Store's smart contracts. However, users who created wallets via social logins are required to migrate their assets to a standard Web3 wallet before the May 23 deadline to retain control.
The closure of Cardano's primary NFT venue reflects a wider trend of market consolidation that has accelerated in 2026. It follows the recent shutdowns of Gemini-owned Nifty Gateway in February and the winding down of Immutable's marketplace, both of which faced declining trading volumes across the broader NFT sector. To aid the developer community, the JPG Store team has open-sourced its contract repositories and smart contract addresses.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
