OpenBazaar’s Resurgence in Sight
OpenBazaar, a decentralized marketplace that shut down in 2020 due to financial issues and poor user growth, is set to make a comeback. Former project lead Brian Hoffman and the OpenBazaar GitHub repository reveal signs of a new version in the works.
New Version Gaining Traction
On April 9, Brian Hoffman tweeted about the progress made on a “new” version of the marketplace, stating it was “getting more interesting by the day.” The OpenBazaar GitHub repository also showed progress as recent as April 12 on the new version.
Hoffman Hints at Changes
When asked about how the new marketplace would differ from its previous iteration, Hoffman mentioned “freedom of exploration” and implied that external influences contributed to OpenBazaar’s initial downfall.
A Revival in Progress
On March 28, Hoffman hinted at a comeback by linking OpenBazaar’s GitHub page, which showed work on a new version using the Rust programming language. OpenBazaar’s official account later tweeted that “it is now time to grow again from the ashes,” and that “work has begun.”
OpenBazaar 3.0 Coming Soon
The OpenBazaar website now displays a message stating “openbazaar 3.0 – coming soon,” further indicating the likelihood of the marketplace’s relaunch.
A Brief History of OpenBazaar
Launched in 2014, OpenBazaar was once hailed as a decentralized eBay alternative. Initially named “DarkMarket,” the marketplace changed its name to OpenBazaar after community input to improve its public image. Users could interact directly with one another to make transactions using Bitcoin.
Conclusion: OpenBazaar’s Anticipated Return
As OpenBazaar’s comeback gains momentum, the decentralized marketplace’s relaunch could provide a fresh opportunity for users seeking a secure and transparent platform for peer-to-peer transactions. Although the new version’s specific features and improvements remain to be seen, the anticipation surrounding OpenBazaar 3.0 highlights the continued interest in decentralized marketplaces and the potential impact they can have on the e-commerce landscape.
