Animoca Brands teams up with Japan’s KDDI on Web3 metaverse projects

Animoca Brands Japan and KDDI are collaborating to boost the adoption for Web3 through Animoca’s Mocaverse and a platform called αU (Alpha U).

Animoca Brands Japan is the Tokyo subsidiary of the Web3 company Animoca Brands. It has joined with KDDI, a major Japanese telecommunications provider, in an agreement to expedite the adoption of Web3.

The collaboration aims to create a seamless and interoperable experience for users delving into Web3 games, culture, and entertainment globally through the Mocaverse and αU (Alpha U) platforms. Both are attempts to create a kind of gaming and entertainment metaverse.

The agreement outlines plans to integrate Mocaverse’s on-chain decentralized identifier (DID) Moca ID with the αU wallet. This integration will enable users of αU wallet to effortlessly access Web3 content, including games, entertainment, and cultural experiences within the Mocaverse ecosystem.

Additionally, the collaboration seeks to promote joint ventures between Animoca Brands’ intellectual property (IP) and Web3 content and αU. This includes the sale of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) related to the Web3 game Phantom Galaxies on the NFT marketplace αU market.

Animoca Brands is known for its hundreds of diverse Web3 investments, including blockchain games, metaverses, decentralized finance (DeFi), and wallets. Animoca Brands Japan, a strategic arm of Animoca Brands, plays a role in expanding the reach of Japanese IP and content in the Web3 domain.

Mocaverse, originally Animoca Brands’ inaugural membership NFT project, has evolved into a growth network. It features an interoperable infrastructure layer encompassing account, identity, reputation, and PointFi systems. Dedicated to constructing the largest on-chain cultural economy, Mocaverse has seen acquired over 750,000 on-chain users since the launch of Moca ID in November 2023.

Phantom Galaxies, developed by Blowfish Studios, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is an online multiplayer science fiction action RPG (Role-Playing Game) that leverages blockchain technology to offer players unique ownership experiences.

KDDI entered the Web3 and metaverse space with the launch of αU in March 2023. αU is a comprehensive service that facilitates users in effortlessly transitioning between the real and virtual worlds. It comprises the αU wallet for managing NFTs and cryptocurrencies, the NFT marketplace αU market, the αU metaverse for entertainment and socializing, αU live for 360-degree music concerts, and αU place for virtual shopping experiences.

Shunpei Tatebayashi, general manager of Web3 business development at KDDI, said in a statement, “We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and embarking on new challenges together.” He highlighted the importance of content in driving Web3 mass adoption.

Kensuke Amo, COO of Animoca Brands Japan, said in a statement, “I am delighted that we have entered into an MoU to accelerate Web3 adoption with KDDI Corporation, allowing us to explore various initiatives. This collaboration is expected to serve as a bridge between Japan and the global Web3 community. Furthermore, this collaboration will be the initial step toward a society that leverages Web3, where individuals can seamlessly connect with various blockchain applications on a personal level. Animoca Brands Japan is committed to actively contributing to the mass adoption of Web3 by leveraging Animoca Brands’ network, which includes over 400 portfolio companies, as well as our expertise in the business and regulatory landscape of Japan’s Web3 industry.”

Kenneth Shek, project lead of Mocaverse commented: “We are incredibly excited to partner with KDDI, one of the largest telecommunication providers with over 31 million of users in Japan, and explore opportunities to onboard millions of retail users to Web3 cultural and entertainment experiences through our interoperable on-chain identity Moca ID and point system. Not only does Japan have a strong culture of IP and gaming, but Japanese users are well accustomed to using point systems.”

Benjamin Lee, managing director of Blowfish Studios, said: “We are thrilled at the opportunity to introduce the captivating world of Phantom Galaxies to KDDI customers, revolutionizing player ownership. Together, we can reshape gaming experiences and lead innovation in the digital realm, offering players seamless access to Web3 content as we pioneer the future of entertainment and culture.”