Key highlights:
LINE NEXT plans to release 30 Mini Dapps and the Dapp Portal, accessible directly through LINE Messenger, in early 2025.
Selected Mini Dapps include games and lifestyle apps, with support provided by Kaia Wave’s Web3-focused developer program.
With its integration into LINE Messenger, Kaia’s ecosystem mirrors the potential of TON, leveraging LINE’s massive user base.
LINE NEXT integrates Web3 into LINE Messenger
LINE NEXT Inc., a venture focused on building Web3 solutions, has announced the launch of Mini Dapps and a dedicated Dapp Portal slated for Q1 2025. Developed in partnership with the Kaia DLT Foundation, this initiative aims to make decentralized apps easily accessible to millions of users via LINE Messenger, the leading communication platform in Asia.
LINE's Mini Dapp is coming! Follow @dapp_portal and get the latest update for Mini dapps coming on LINE Messenger! 👇🔥 https://t.co/6nvZ4RJUTJ
— DOSI_official (@DOSI_official) December 12, 2024
“LINE NEXT has been aiming to increase access to Web3 services for developers and users alike. Our focus on integration within LINE Messenger, particularly in key markets like Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan, ensures a wide reach for these services.” —Youngsu Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT
The inaugural batch of 30 Mini Dapps was selected from over 800 applicants as part of the Kaia Wave program. This initiative seeks to support global Web3 developers by offering resources such as software development kits (SDKs), fee delegation, co-marketing opportunities, and investment options. Featured apps include popular titles such as Bombie and Captain Tsubasa -RIVALS-, alongside innovative lifestyle platforms like Superz, which integrates wellness rewards into everyday activities.
“We are very excited about LINE’s Mini Dapp and have high expectations for its potential. Starting from Bombie, we plan to launch a variety of mini games within this ecosystem.” —David Mak, CEO of Pluto Studio
Bridging Web3 and mass adoption
LINE NEXT’s approach positions it as a key driver for Kaia, the blockchain formed through the merger of LINE and Kakao’s respective blockchain startups, Finschia and Klaytin. With Kaia serving as the foundational blockchain for this initiative, LINE Messenger naturally becomes a gateway to Kaia’s Web3 ecosystem.
“Kaia has been committed to creating a highly accessible, user-centric Web3 ecosystem. By integrating Web3 into LINE Messenger, we are building a more accessible and user-centric blockchain ecosystem.” —Dr. Sam Seo, Chairman of the Kaia DLT Foundation
The integration reduces barriers to entry, enabling users to explore decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and other Web3 services seamlessly. The Dapp Portal will further simplify access by providing a centralized platform where users can discover, download, and interact with Mini Dapps while earning rewards or trading assets. LINE NEXT’s ambitious plans to onboard over 150 new development teams by mid-2025 highlight its commitment to expanding Kaia's ecosystem.
A comparison with TON
LINE NEXT’s ecosystem draws parallels with TON (The Open Network), the blockchain initiative backed by Telegram. Both platforms leverage their respective messaging apps’ extensive user bases to promote Web3 adoption. LINE’s ecosystem positions the network as a leading contender in Asia. With over 250 million users across LINE and Kakaotalk, Kaia holds the potential to rival TON in shaping the future of blockchain-powered communication platforms.
The bottom line
LINE NEXT’s launch of Mini Dapps and the Dapp Portal is poised to redefine Web3 accessibility in Asia, merging blockchain innovation with the convenience of a superapp. By leveraging LINE’s established user base and integrating services seamlessly, the platform could set a new standard for blockchain adoption, rivaling ecosystems like TON. With plans for rapid expansion, the Kaia ecosystem is well-positioned to shape the future of Web3 technology in the region and beyond.
