Can the Line ecosystem become a new Web3 engine?

The Web3 field is ushering in a new transformation. Line, a widely popular communication software in Asia, announced this year its mainnet merger with the Korean public blockchain Klaytn. This strategic move indicates that Line will vigorously expand its footprint in the Web3 space. Looking back at the rise of the Telegram ecosystem, which successfully attracted a large number of Web3 projects and users with its strong user base and mini-program platform, it became a bridge for the transition from Web2 to Web3. Now, Line possesses similar development conditions and is expected to give birth to new Web3 phenomenon projects in the Asian market, injecting new vitality into the field.

The merger between Line and Klaytn will bring technological innovations and changes in governance structures, issuing a new unified token and building an integrated network across Ethereum and Cosmos. This collaboration not only accelerates the development of Web3 technology but also signals deep cooperation among Asian tech giants in the blockchain field, bringing more innovations and opportunities to the entire industry. Therefore, Line has the potential to become a new engine driving the development of Web3, continuing the success story of the Telegram ecosystem.

TG Ecosystem Review

The rapid development of the TG ecosystem has not only attracted widespread attention in the Web3 space but has also injected new vitality into the entire industry with its unique advantages and innovative models. Among them, the successful listings of multiple projects, especially those that have been listed on mainstream trading platforms and have seen their market capitalization rise rapidly, not only validate the commercial potential of the TG ecosystem but also attract a large number of new users into the Web3 world.

The reason why the TG ecosystem has achieved such remarkable results by mid-year is mainly due to its large user base and efficient dissemination mechanism. Telegram itself, as a communication giant with 900 million users, has launched mini-programs and bot development features, providing users with a brand new service experience. These mini-programs not only can completely replace most websites, supporting seamless authorization and integrated payments, but also greatly enrich the ways users interact through customized features such as automatic news delivery, information services, and popular mini-games.

In addition, Telegram has developed the TON blockchain, which supports convenient blockchain transactions and further lowers the barrier for users to enter Web3. This model, similar to WeChat's "traffic + payment", has allowed Telegram to rapidly develop in the Web3 field, becoming a bridge connecting Web2 and Web3.

In this process, several projects within the TG ecosystem stand out particularly. For example, some gaming projects quickly attracted a large number of users through their simple operation methods and viral mechanisms, successfully guiding them to engage in on-chain interactions, thereby achieving the transition from Web2 users to Web3 users. These projects not only succeeded within the TG ecosystem, but also saw their market value rapidly surge after going public, demonstrating their strong market appeal and commercial value.

Some projects enhance players' understanding and recognition of virtual currency through their unique game backgrounds and management elements, while effectively driving traffic to their own video channels through a combination of task systems and video-watching tasks, further expanding the influence of the TG ecosystem.

The success of these projects has not only brought a lot of fresh blood to the TG ecosystem but also provided new ideas and models for the development of the Web3 field. They have proven that through gamification and socialization, it is possible to effectively attract and convert Web2 users, while also showcasing the application potential of blockchain technology in non-financial areas such as gaming and social interaction.

As the TG ecosystem continues to mature and improve, more application scenarios and business models will be explored and realized in the future. From the current development trend, the TG ecosystem will not only continue to deepen its efforts in the gaming and social fields but may also further expand into finance, education, business, and other areas, ultimately forming a diversified and open Web3 ecosystem. With the addition of more innovative projects and participation from more users, the TG ecosystem is expected to become an important force in driving the development of the Web3 industry.

Introduction to Line

Line is not only a popular messaging app in Asia, but it is also the most popular messaging application in Japan, with 95 million monthly active users as of 2024, covering over 68% of the total population of Japan. The main functions of this app provide messaging and calling services, and it also has many other unique features, such as stickers. Popular anime, celebrities, and creators even sell their own paid stickers within the app. Businesses can set up official accounts on Line, and some businesses even sell their own stickers to support marketing activities.

Line also has a status update feature, including story-like functionality and a seamless share button. Additionally, the app features a cashless payment function called "Line Pay," which allows users to transfer money between each other and make payments in stores.

The number of monthly active users of Line has significantly increased from 58 million in 2015 to 95 million in 2024. Among active users, the proportion of male and female users reachable through advertising is 52.5% and 47.5%, respectively. The age distribution ranges from 8.3% for those aged 15 to 19 to 31.4% for those aged 50 and above, which is quite representative of the Japanese population.

In Japan, Line is not just a tool for young people. It is widely used by people of all ages and has become an important communication mechanism to connect friends, family, and colleagues.

One unique feature of Line is that there are over 3 million Line accounts owned by companies in Japan. If you want to set up a business account on the app, you need to fill out a registration form and submit an application. Once approved, you can start using it. As the number of business accounts continues to grow in Japan, it offers an alternative to other marketing tools such as email communication, providing many advantages for businesses. It is free to use, and businesses can send sales coupons to customers through the app and even conduct surveys. Compared to email, it has a higher average open rate and click-through rate. This is why Line is used by businesses of all sizes.

In 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reached an agreement with Line to conduct a nationwide survey on COVID-19. The official account of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare regularly sends health survey questionnaires to all Line users.

Today, Line has become one of the most useful branding tools in Japan. For companies considering collaboration with the Japanese market, creating an official Line account is a choice worth considering.

Current Status of Line Mini App

The Line Mini Program, as an innovative service on the Line platform, has become an important tool for enterprises' digital transformation, especially popular in Japan and Taiwan. It allows businesses to directly publish web services on the Line platform, enabling users to enjoy a convenient service experience without downloading additional applications. Thanks to Line's large user base, companies can reach a massive potential customer group, and by integrating Line Pay, users can complete payments directly within the app, significantly enhancing the convenience of shopping.

With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are increasingly turning to planned purchases, which requires businesses to adapt to this change through digital means. The Line mini-program has thus become a key tool for connecting online and offline, supporting common functions such as online ordering, reservations, and queue management, while also helping businesses improve service visibility and user engagement. Although the development of Line mini-programs has not yet been fully opened in Taiwan, certified partners can apply in advance, and after development is completed, it must pass Line's review before being published.

Currently, Line mini-programs are widely used in industries such as catering, education, healthcare, beauty, and retail. They help businesses stand out in a competitive market by providing convenient user experiences and strong backend support. With continuous technological advancements and further market openness, it is expected that Line mini-programs will play a greater role in the future, especially in promoting the integration of online and offline services.

In addition, as the market's acceptance of Line mini-programs continues to increase, their numbers are rapidly growing. Some companies have launched no-code development platforms, further lowering the technical threshold, allowing more small and medium-sized enterprises to easily create and manage their own Line mini-programs. It is expected that in the future, Line mini-programs will play a greater role in e-commerce and online services, and may even drive Line to become a super app, providing users with comprehensive life services. This trend not only provides businesses with a brand new customer touchpoint but also brings consumers a richer and more convenient service experience.

Introduction to the Korean Public Blockchain Klaytn

Klaytn is a blockchain platform launched by GroundX, a subsidiary of the South Korean internet giant Kakao. It aims to promote the widespread adoption of blockchain technology through its high performance, scalability, and reliability. Klaytn employs a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, which not only accelerates transaction speeds and confirmation times but also maintains the efficient operation of the system.

One of the main features of Klaytn is that it integrates the advantages of both public and private blockchains, providing an environment that is both efficient and secure. This unique combination allows Klaytn to support a large number of transactions and users while maintaining low processing times and costs, which is crucial for business applications that require high-frequency, large-scale transactions. In addition, Klaytn also supports smart contracts, enabling developers to build a variety of decentralized applications on the platform to meet the needs of different industries and application scenarios.

Klaytn provides an easy-to-access, user-friendly development environment, making it simple for even newcomers to blockchain technology to build and deploy blockchain applications. Through a platform similar to web services, Klaytn simplifies the process of creating new blockchain environments, reducing the technical burden on developers. This design philosophy is particularly appealing to developers transitioning from centralized applications to decentralized applications, as it lowers the entry barrier and accelerates the realization of innovative applications.

The native cryptocurrency of Klaytn is KLAY, which plays multiple roles in the system. As a payment method, KLAY is used in applications built on Klaytn, and it is also issued as rewards to developers who contribute to the platform. In addition, KLAY is a popular choice among cryptocurrency traders and investors, who profit from market price fluctuations through trading.

A significant milestone in the development of Klaytn is the merger with Finschia, which led to the birth of the new mainnet Kaia. Kaia combines the technological advantages of Klaytn and Finschia, aiming to create the largest Web3 ecosystem in Asia. The native token KAIA of the new mainnet Kaia not only symbolizes the union of Klaytn and Finschia but also represents a commitment to partners and the community, intending to bring together developers, enterprises, users, and traders in a unified ecosystem.

The launch of Kaia signifies the rise of a network centered around collaboration, innovation, and users, which will simplify the user experience and promote the adoption and application of blockchain technology globally. Kaia's vision is to make blockchain technology accessible and widespread for everyone, regardless of their background or experience. This vision is guided by its core values—community, sustainability, and simplicity—values that serve as guiding stars for Kaia in fostering partnerships, deeply engaging with communities, and advancing the adoption of blockchain.

Kaia's network architecture is divided into three logical subnets:

1. Core unit network: Composed of core units responsible for transaction verification, execution, and block creation.

2. Endpoint Node Network: Composed of endpoint nodes that handle API requests and process service chain data.

3. Service Chain Network: Composed of independently operated auxiliary blockchains, connected to the main chain through endpoint nodes.

The Merger of Line and Klaytn's Public Blockchains

Klaytn and Line's public chain Finschia have merged to create a new blockchain ecosystem ------ Kaia. This merger marks the deep collaboration between Asia's two tech giants, Kakao and Line, in the field of blockchain.