Can the Line ecosystem become the next hotbed of Web3?

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

The merger between Line and Klaytn will bring technological innovation and a transformation of governance structures, issue a new unified token, and build an integrated network across Ethereum and Cosmos. This collaboration not only accelerates the development of Web3 technology but also signifies deep cooperation among Asian tech giants in the blockchain field, bringing more innovation 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 former ecosystem.

A Review of the Ecosystem of a Certain Messaging Software

The rapid development of a certain communication software ecosystem has not only attracted widespread attention in the Web3 field but has also injected new vitality into the entire industry with its unique advantages and innovative models. Among them, the successful listing of multiple projects, especially those that have been listed on mainstream trading platforms and whose market values have rapidly risen, not only validates the commercial potential of this ecosystem but also attracts a large number of new users into the Web3 world.

The reason this ecosystem has achieved such significant results by mid-year is mainly due to its large user base and efficient communication mechanism. This messaging software itself, as a communication giant with 900 million users, offers a new service experience through its mini-programs and bot development features. These mini-programs can not only completely replace most websites, support seamless authorization and integrated payments, but also greatly enrich users' interaction methods through customized features such as automatic news delivery, information services, and popular mini-games.

In addition, the software has also developed its own blockchain, supporting convenient blockchain transactions, further lowering the barrier for users to enter Web3. This model, similar to the "traffic + payment" approach of a certain social software, has allowed this ecosystem to rapidly develop in the Web3 field, becoming a bridge connecting Web2 and Web3.

In this process, several projects within the ecosystem have stood out. For example, some gaming projects have quickly attracted a large number of users through their simple operation methods and fission mechanisms, successfully guiding them to engage in on-chain interactions, thus achieving the transition from Web2 users to Web3 users. These projects have not only achieved success within the ecosystem but also saw their market value rapidly rise after being listed, demonstrating their strong market appeal and commercial value.

Other projects enhance players' understanding and recognition of virtual currencies through unique game backgrounds and management elements, while effectively directing traffic to their own video platforms by combining task systems with video-watching tasks, further expanding the ecological influence.

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

As the 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, this ecosystem will not only continue to deepen in the fields of gaming and social interaction, but may also further expand into multiple areas such as finance, education, and commerce, ultimately forming a diversified and open Web3 ecosystem. With the addition of more innovative projects and the participation of more users, this ecosystem is expected to become an important force in promoting 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 more than 68% of the total population of Japan. The main features of this app provide messaging and calling services, while 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 create official accounts on Line, and some companies even sell their own stickers to support marketing activities.

Line also features a status update function, including a feature similar to stories on other social platforms and a seamless sharing button. In addition, the app has a cashless payment function called "Line Pay," which allows for transfers between users and 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 population in Japan.

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 for connecting friends, family, and colleagues.

A 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 provides an alternative to other marketing tools like email communications, offering many advantages for businesses. It is free to use, and companies 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, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) reached an agreement with Line to conduct a nationwide survey on COVID-19. The official account of MHLW regularly sends health questionnaires to all Line users.

Today, Line has become one of the most useful brand tools in Japan. If you are considering creating your own official Line account while working with the Japanese market, it would be a wise choice.

Current Status of Line Mini App

Line Mini App, as an innovative service on the Line platform, has become an important tool for digital transformation for businesses, 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 the need to download additional applications. Thanks to Line's large user base, businesses can reach a massive potential customer group, and by integrating Line Pay, users can complete payments directly within the app, greatly 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 App has therefore become a key tool for connecting online and offline ( OMO ). It not only supports common functions such as online ordering, reservations, and queue calling, but also helps businesses enhance service visibility and user engagement. Although the development of the Line Mini App in Taiwan has not been fully opened, certified partners can apply in advance, and after development is completed, it must pass Line's review before it can be published.

Currently, the Line Mini App is widely used in industries such as catering, education, healthcare, beauty, and retail. It helps businesses stand out in a competitive market by providing a convenient user experience and strong backend support. With the continuous development of technology and further opening of the market, it is expected that the Line Mini App will play an even greater role in the future, especially in promoting the integration of online and offline.

In addition, as the market's acceptance of Line Mini Apps continues to rise, their numbers are growing rapidly. Some companies have launched no-code development platforms like "Mini App Maker," further lowering the technical barriers, allowing more small and medium-sized enterprises to easily create and manage their own Line Mini Apps. It is expected that in the future, Line Mini Apps will play a larger role in e-commerce and online services, potentially turning Line into a super app that provides users with comprehensive life services. This trend not only offers businesses a brand new customer touchpoint, but also brings consumers a richer and more convenient service experience.

Introduction to the South Korean Public Chain Klaytn

Klaytn is a blockchain platform launched by a subsidiary of a South Korean internet giant, aimed at promoting the widespread adoption of blockchain technology through its high performance, scalability, and reliability. Klaytn employs a Proof of Stake ( PoS ) consensus mechanism, which not only accelerates transaction speed and confirmation time but also maintains the efficient operation of the system.

A key feature of Klaytn is its integration of 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 handling high-frequency, large-scale transactions. Additionally, Klaytn supports smart contracts, enabling developers to build various decentralized applications (dApp), commonly known as BApps( blockchain applications), to meet the needs of different industries and application scenarios.

Klaytn provides an easily accessible, user-friendly development environment that allows even newcomers to blockchain technology to effortlessly 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 attractive to developers transitioning from centralized applications to decentralized applications, as it lowers the entry barriers 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 distributed as rewards to developers who contribute to the platform. In addition, KLAY is a popular choice among cryptocurrency traders and investors who profit from trading by taking advantage of market price fluctuations.

An important milestone in the development of Klaytn was 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 integration 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 widespread 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—which serve as guiding stars for Kaia in nurturing partnerships, engaging deeply with the community, and advancing the adoption of blockchain.

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

1. Core Unit Network ( CCN ): Composed of core units responsible for transaction verification, execution, and block creation ( CC ).

2. Endpoint Node Network ( ENN ): Composed of endpoint nodes ( EN ) that handle RPC API requests and process service chain data.

3. Service Chain Network ( SCN ): operated independently by dApp