Get an OpenSea API Key in 2023 – Full Guide

In this article, we explore getting an OpenSea API key in 2023, and why this is nearly impossible. Instead, the easiest way to get to work building your NFT project is by using the Moralis NFT API.

Full NFT API Documentation – https://github.com/nft-api/nft-api

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Due to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) popularity, NFT marketplaces such as OpenSea are in high demand. In turn, programmers are looking to build such marketplaces. However, a lot of developers face issues in trying to get an OpenSea API key. However, the lack of OpenSea API keys is acute, with them being nearly unobtainable. In addition, there is an OpenSea rate limit problem that further limits programmers in their development process. As a result, devs face huge problems during development when focusing on OpenSea. Fortunately, there is a way around the need to get an OpenSea API key. In this 2023 full guide, we’ll explore if getting an OpenSea API key is the best way for NFT development or if you should implement an OpenSea API key alternative – one that is far more efficient.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of the premier Web3 development platform – Moralis. This “Firebase for crypto” platform has been shattering blockchain development paradigms for a while now. Currently, it has seen the highest rate of adoption among developers. How come? For one, it enables devs to easily overcome all of the limitations of RPC nodes. By using the ultimate Ethereum dApp boilerplate, Moralis enables you to deploy decentralized applications (dApps) in minutes. Also, as you’ve probably realized by now, Moralis is the solution to the whole “get OpenSea API key” topic. 

Essentially, Moralis offers you an OpenSea API alternative and, therefore, solves this huge demand for NFT API keys. With the Moralis NFT API, you get to interact with OpenSea. In addition, you also get to cover NFT token development, NFT game development, create your own NFT marketplace, build an NFT trading interface, and more. So, create your free Moralis account today and overcome the “get OpenSea API key” challenges! 

How to Get an OpenSea API Key

The challenge that developers face when trying to get an OpenSea API key can seem almost absurd. In fact, there are even OpenSea API key Reddit threads with sellers purportedly selling OpenSea APIs. Now, you still might be wondering, “how to get OpenSea API key?”. At the moment, it’s pretty much impossible. Moreover, no developer should need to resort to purchasing API keys via OpenSea API key Reddit sellers. 

As you can imagine, this issue presents a significant blockage for developers when they develop their projects. Fortunately, you now know that Moralis offers a solution. Specifically, with the Moralis NFT API, you can easily build your own NFT platform, and you do not need to worry about getting an OpenSea API key. Moreover, you have two options when it comes to building a Web3 project like an NFT marketplace: start from scratch or take an additional shortcut using the most practical Web3 boilerplate. By cloning the GitHub code, you be able to quickly launch a fully functional dApp with a neat UI in minutes. Whatever path you decide to focus on, the Moralis NFT API has got your back. On the other hand, in case you prefer to spend hours searching through OpenSea API key Reddit threads, by all means, give it a shot. 

Get OpenSea API Key Alternative 

At this point, you know that Moralis offers you a way to get OpenSea API key alternative. Specifically, the Moralis NFT API is a replacement to the OpenSea API. Moreover, to use these phenomenal tools, you need to complete an initial setup. As such, we decided to break things down into simple steps, which we’ll cover below. 

All you need to do is basically just to tweak the code. For that purpose, you need to use a code editor (we prefer Visual Studio Code [VSC]). Furthermore, not only will we walk you through the code, we’ll even provide you with the entire finished code. 

Once You Get OpenSea API Key Alternative, Use It – An Example Project

While you could still be wasting your time searching Google or various OpenSea API key Reddit threads, you already have things set up. However, before we do a code walkthrough, let’s preview the end result of this example project. Using the screenshot below, you can see that our dApp is a plain yet neat and simple OpenSea clone. By focusing on the backend functionality rather than on the UI (user interface), the example project serves its purpose. That shows you how easy it is to use Moralis’ SDK and, thus, cover all blockchain-related backend aspects. However, by all means, take this example project to the next level and create a stunning UI using your JavaScript skills. 

Looking at the screenshot above, you can see the following features:

• Ethereum Authentication: Our example dApp comes with a Web3 login and logout option, which is done by using Moralis’ MetaMask integration. 
• Two Entry Fields: The one on the left-hand side is for NFT contract addresses and the one on the right for token IDs.
• Four Buttons:
  • The “Get Asset” button.
  • The “Get Order” button.
  • The “Create Buy Order” button.
  • The “Create Sell Order” button.

The code walkthrough below will guide you through the process of setting the above features in place. 

Code Walkthrough – Initialize Moralis and Get OpenSea API Key Alternative Ready

Note: As mentioned, we made the complete code available to you on our GitHub page. We encourage you to use it as we will cover only certain parts herein.

If you have any experience with frontend development, you know that there are many ways we could go about when creating the UI of the above-previewed dApp. Let’s look at interacting with OpenSea, for example, with Moralis’ OpenSea plugin. We started by creating a new “React” project and these three files: “index.js”, “App.js”, and “package.json”. Also, we installed the latest versions of Moralis and the Moralis-React libraries. In addition, we imported those libraries within the “index.js” file:

import React from "react";
import ReactDOM from "react-dom";
import { MoralisProvider } from "react-moralis";
import { ChakraProvider } from "@chakra-ui/react";
import "./index.css";
import App from "./App";
import reportWebVitals from "./reportWebVitals";

Then, insert your server URL and application ID accordingly:

<MoralisProvider
				appId={process.env.REACT_APP_MORALIS_APP_ID}
				serverUrl={process.env.REACT_APP_MORALIS_SERVER_URL}
			>
				<App />
			</MoralisProvider>

Another key action is to initialize the OpenSea plugin within the “App.js” file. You also need to import the “useMoralis” hook. We do this at the top of “App.js”:

import { useMoralis } from "react-moralis";

Furthermore, lets call that hook inside the “App()” function:

function App() {
	const {
		Moralis,
		user,
		logout,
		authenticate,
		enableWeb3,
		isInitialized,
		isAuthenticated,
		isWeb3Enabled,
	} = useMoralis();

Now, we finally initialize the plugin inside the “useEffect()” function:

	useEffect(() => {
		if (isInitialized) {
			Moralis.initPlugins();
		}
		// eslint-disable-next-line
	}, []);

This covers the gist of the “App.js” file. This is a great complement to the Moralis NFT API, which is what enables you to get OpenSea API key alternative ready for action. 

Code Walkthrough – Adding Functionality

Knowing what our example dApp is supposed to look like and do, you can also start adding functionality. The latter must enable us to use the “Get Asset”, “Get Order”, “Create Buy Order”, and “Create Sell Order” buttons. Here, you’ll be able to rely heavily on the OpenSea plugin. As such, you can copy the snippets of code provided there. However, first, initialize the “yarn” (or “npm”) package manager by entering “yarn start” in the VSC terminal.

Moving forward, it is important to properly inspect your Web3 app in progress. Fortunately, you can use your browser’s console for that purpose:

“Get Asset” Feature

When it comes to our “Get Asset” button, the lines of code available on the plugin’s web page with minor changes will get the job done:

const getAsset = async () => {
		const res = await Moralis.Plugins.opensea.getAsset({
			network: "testnet",
			tokenAddress: values.tokenAddress,
			tokenId: values.tokenId,
		});
		console.log(res);
	};

The values next to “tokenAddress” and “tokenID” need to be changed to be obtained from the two entry fields of our example Web3 app. Token addresses and token IDs can be obtained on OpenSea:

Furthermore, we need to mention “Moralis.Plugins.opensea.getAsset”. This is where Moralis does its magic for the on-chain information relevant to a particular token address and token ID. We recommend you use an example asset. Then, use your browser’s console to see your dApp in action:

“Get Order” Feature

Moving forward, to cover the “Get Order” functionality, just follow the “Get Asset” button’s lead (covered above). Here are the lines of code (“App.js”) used for that feature:

const getOrder = async () => {
		const res = await Moralis.Plugins.opensea.getOrders({
			network: "testnet",
			tokenAddress: values.tokenAddress,
			tokenId: values.tokenId,
			orderSide: 0, // 0 is for buy orders, 1 is for sell orders
			page: 1, // pagination shows 20 orders each page
		});
		console.log(res);
	};

Again, we encourage you to use your browser’s console to check if the “Get Order” functionality fetches data from OpenSea properly:

“Create Buy Order” Feature

For the “Create Buy Order”, use the same principles as in the above two features. By copying the lines of code from the plugin’s documentation page and applying small tweaks, this is what you get:

	const createBuyOrder = async () => {
		await Moralis.Plugins.opensea.createBuyOrder({
			network: "testnet",
			tokenAddress: values.tokenAddress,
			tokenId: values.tokenId,
			tokenType: "ERC721",
			amount: 0.0001,
			userAddress: web3Account,
			paymentTokenAddress: "0xc778417e063141139fce010982780140aa0cd5ab",
		});

		console.log("Create Buy Order Successful");
	};

Make sure that the “tokenType” value matches the type of token you are searching for (“tokenAddress” and “tokenID”). Fortunately, the OpenSea plugin supports both the ERC-721 and the ERC-1155 NFT standards.

“Create Sell Order” Feature

At this point, you know the drill. As such, add functionality to the “Create Sell Order” button using these lines of code: 

	const createSellOrder = async () => {
		const expirationTime = Math.round(Date.now() / 1000 + 60 * 60 * 24);
		const startAmount = 1;
		const endAmount = 1;

		await Moralis.Plugins.opensea.createSellOrder({
			network: "testnet",
			tokenAddress: values.tokenAddress,
			tokenId: values.tokenId,
			tokenType: "ERC1155",
			userAddress: web3Account,
			startAmount,
			endAmount,
			expirationTime: startAmount > endAmount && expirationTime, // Only set if you startAmount > endAmount
		});

		console.log("Create Sell Order Successful");
	};

As with the “Get Order” feature, make sure that the “tokenType” value matches your NFT’s type. Also, note that you can only create sell orders for NFTs that you own. 

If you’ve followed our lead and implemented all of the above-presented features, you’ve successfully finished your example dApp. As such, you’ve also put the ultimate OpenSea API alternative to use. However, we recommend you watch the video below for more detailed guidance and code walkthrough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2YFhfjIb3k

Get OpenSea API Key and Avoid Reddit Scalpers – Summary

Unfortunately, devs face a serious challenge when they want to get OpenSea API key. Things have gotten so far that many OpenSea API key Reddit scalpers are now selling these in-demand API keys. Fortunately, there is another alternative available, and it’s called Moralis. The latter comes with the ultimate NFT API that makes NFT development as simple as it gets, and is a great OpenSea API key alternative. In addition to the Moralis NFT API, Moralis also offers the OpenSea plugin, which enables you to easily access on-chain data for assets on this popular NFT marketplace. Of course, there are other NFT API alternatives available, so feel free to explore your options. 

Moreover, aside from using Moralis for NFT projects, it is equally capable of fast-forwarding your progress in other crypto niches. For more details and guidance, make sure to visit the Moralis blog and the Moralis YouTube channel. We publish a ton of example projects and educational articles on both outlets. For example, some of our latest topics dive deep into Web3.js vs Ethers.js, Ethereum gas fees and gasless transactions, Web3 wallets, WalletConnect Android SDK, GameFi and play-to-earn (P2E), how to interact with smart contracts through a website, and many others. Furthermore, also note that there is a more professional option at your disposal – Moralis Academy. With access to the most up-to-date courses, a supportive community, and expert mentorship, you ought to become a blockchain developer in no time.