On the 13th, ZEP, South Korea’s premier metaverse platform, revealed a strategic collaboration with the global Layer 1 platform, NEAR Protocol. The partnership signifies ZEP’s commitment to leverage NEAR Protocol’s robust blockchain network for future developments.
NEAR Protocol’s Unique Attributes:
NEAR Protocol, renowned for its optimization for large-scale user-oriented service operations, offers a user-friendly interface and stability comparable to Web2. The platform has witnessed substantial growth among Layer 1 blockchains this year, with NEAR-based decentralized applications (dApps) claiming the top two spots among all blockchain applications according to DappRadar.
ZEP’s Evolution and Market Presence:
ZEP, a collaborative effort between mobile game developer Supercat (notable for “The Kingdom of the Winds: Yeon”) and NAVER Z’s operator Zepeto, successfully launched its beta version on November 30, 2021. Boasting 1.3 million monthly active users (MAU) and a cumulative user base of 8.3 million this year, ZEP has attracted attention from both domestic and international entities. Recognized for its usability in the domestic market, ZEP is gearing up for expansion into the Japanese and Southeast Asian markets in the latter half of the year.
Strategic Insight from NEAR Protocol’s Gaming Director:
Mark Mi, Gaming Director of NEAR Protocol, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating that partnering with ZEP is a pivotal opportunity to extend the NEAR ecosystem into the evolving landscape of the metaverse. Mi emphasized the commitment to exposing NEAR users to diverse content across various domains. The collaboration aims to facilitate ZEP’s business expansion in the Web3 domain through cooperative ventures with dApps in the content and gaming sectors based on NEAR.
Exploring a User-Centric Business Model:
NEAR Protocol and ZEP are set to explore a business model that offers a multitude of benefits to users through this collaboration. Additionally, the partners plan to develop Web3-related features that enhance the convenience for developers and users alike. As a result of this collaboration, ZEP’s partners are expected to effortlessly issue and distribute various Web3-based digital assets, providing users with a seamless Web3 experience within the ZEP metaverse environment.
Conclusion:
The strategic collaboration between ZEP and NEAR Protocol signifies a significant milestone in the development of the metaverse. By integrating NEAR Protocol’s advanced blockchain capabilities, ZEP aims to not only enhance its metaverse offerings but also pave the way for a more user-centric and convenient Web3 experience. As these two industry leaders join forces, the collaboration is poised to shape the future of the metaverse, offering users a diverse range of content and unlocking new possibilities in the realm of digital assets and decentralized applications.
