OpenAI pauses $200 ChatGPT Pro sign-ups as Astra demand strains its systems

OpenAI stopped new sign-ups for the $200 “Pro 20X” tier because demand for its Astra model, released 3 September, is straining its infrastructure. The $100 Pro plan and other tiers stay available. Astra runs only in U.S. Azure regions, so European users cannot ensure EU-local data storage. OpenAI is expanding capacity but has not announced when the paused tier will reopen.