Why No Auction House in PoE2? A Missed Opportunity

I've been thinking about the trading system in Path of Exile and how it could evolve with PoE2 on the horizon. One thing that’s always baffled me is why Grinding Gear Games hasn’t implemented an auction house. It feels like such an obvious quality-of-life feature that would streamline trading, reduce frustration, and, importantly, close the door to scammers.

Right now, trading in PoE can be clunky and tedious. Messaging multiple players, waiting for responses, or dealing with inflated prices can ruin the fun. Worse, the current system creates opportunities for scams, whether through price manipulation or outright dishonesty. An auction house could resolve so many of these issues by introducing transparency and automation, allowing players to focus on gameplay instead of trading headaches.

On top of that, an auction house with listing fees or transaction fees could serve as a much-needed currency sink. It’s no secret that PoE’s economy can get inflated as leagues progress. A well-implemented fee system would help regulate the flow of currency, creating more economic balance while incentivizing fair trade.

I understand the argument that GGG wants trading to feel deliberate and challenging to maintain the “grind” experience. But isn't there a middle ground? An auction house wouldn’t necessarily make acquiring items too easy—it could simply make the process fairer and more efficient. For example, they could implement limits on listings, tiered fees, or time-restricted bidding to preserve the game’s core design philosophy while still addressing its flaws.

What do you think? Is the lack of an auction house a design choice that adds to the game’s charm, or is it holding PoE2 back from reaching its full potential? And wouldn’t a currency sink like this benefit the game in the long run?