## Cool Cats enters Japan 🐱

As the market recovers, many Blue Chip Projects from the last bull cycle have announced new exciting initiatives. Among them is Cool Cats, an NFT project well-known for their Blue Cat Character, forming the base of their 9,999 NFTs collection. They quickly gained success, with celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Mike Shinoda purchasing them.   

Most recently, Cool Cats announced their expansion to the Japanese market by teaming up with Animoca Brands Japan and SanFran Tokyo. Animoca Brands is a VC with countless investments in the Metaverse, Entertainment, and gaming. SanFran Tokyo is a decentralized city built on brand storytelling, and an Animoca subsidiary focused on media, gaming, fashion, and identities in the context of the anime culture.   
![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidjo7i7ege2izyqpzqvhyvs5pzcphvlnfdjlazxkfkfryfepsak5m)

Src: <https://x.com/San%5FFranTokyo/status/1721689173844009259?s=20> 

Animoca has invested in Cool Cats as part of the partnership, while SanFran Tokyo has purchased Cool Cats on the secondary market. The collaboration will include the publication of a Cool Cats Manga, illustrated by a Japanese artist, and help embed Cool Cats IP in the Japanese market. Furthermore, Cool Cats will eventually appear in the city of San Fran Tokyo. 

**Takeaway:** The Japanese market remains attractive for IP-based projects to expand to. Yet, it’s tough to tackle without understanding the culture. It is a smart move by Cool Cats to partner with companies on the ground. 

## Quickswap launches on Astar zkEVM testnet 

On November 9th, Quickswap, the biggest DEX in the Polygon ecosystem by TVL according to DeFiLama, launched on zKatana, Astar’s zkEVM testnet.   

The Astar zkEVm is an Ethereum Layer 2 solution developed using Polygon’s Chain Development Kit, which uses cutting-edge zero-knowledge technology to achieve large-scale and low fees for projects. During the testnet phase, Quickswap is ensuring that it’s ready for the Astar zkEVM mainnet coming in the near future. 

Once on mainnet, Quickswap will be live on countless EVM networks, including Polygon, DogeChain, the Manta Pacific Rollup, and Kava. For Astar, this launch is a significant milestone toward attracting renowned DeFi players to its upcoming zkEVM mainnet.   

**Takeaway:** L2s in testnet require rigorous testing to ensure that things run smoothly once launched. Onboarding various projects in this phase sets the stage for a vibrant ecosystem later. 

## Square Enix kicks off its NFT launch campaign.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeid7q7xn3vbvlvo5r7jhis7ns53u3wk4z7zjevgpjjr3ga2aotl2xm)

Src: <https://symbiogenesis.app/>

Square Enix, the video game developer best known for its worldwide success launches, such as Final Fantasy, has launched a campaign to promote its upcoming NFT game: SYMBIOGENESIS.   

[Symbiogenesis](https://symbiogenesis.app/) was introduced last year in November, drawing attention from a worldwide audience as one of the first projects by an established game studio. It’s conceived as a new entertainment offering that combines storytelling, digital art, and game elements. The world of Symbiogenesis is that of a floating continent where players search for items based on hints and explore their surroundings. The experience will combine digital art and immersive worlds to bring something new to the space. 

Ultimately, Square Enix hopes to create a new IP in the Web3 space and engage users in collaborative storytelling. With this first campaign, Square Enix will provide Allow List spots to users based on their Discord activity and ranking among other users. The higher one ranks, the higher the chance to win a free NFT mint.   

NFTs will be available on Ethereum and Polygon mainnet, and the game is scheduled to launch in “winter 2023”.   

**Takeaway:** It would seem that most of the world has moved away from the allow list NFT launch, yet Japan’s NFT scene, unlike the rest of the international projects, might have maintained its optimism and excitement thanks to regulation protecting investors from cataclysmic events such as the FTX and Luna collapse.   

**In other news** 

* [Vice Major of Tokyo is into web3](https://x.com/watanabesota/status/1721486643352498632?s=46&t=qcQJUIMArV7-oDeRFgLxqQ) 🗼
* [OKCoin Japan now supports ASTR staking ](https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/351892https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/351892)
* [Web3 social platform Yay launches Whitepaper ](https://coinpost.jp/?p=490473)
* [SBI establishes a web3 fund ](https://coinpost.jp/?p=490878)
* [Not a Hotel is considering an IEO](https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/350745)

**Japan Fact:** We now consider big eyes a key feature of Manga Characters. This trend was started by Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy, who drew inspiration from the 30s and 40s Disney films and their focus on expressive eyes. Thanks, Bambi! 

  

bafybeienk375lfg6gmy7bsg72hmcukd4yhylpxrzdlmiixp4bu3ttrf4pm

Japan Web3 Roundup: Cool Cats enter Japan, Quickswap launch, and Square Enix NFTs

Welcome to an insightful journey into the world of Algem, a decentralized application flourishing within the Astar ecosystem.

[Algem](https://www.algem.io/) offers two main features: liquid staking and liquid farming. As their names suggest, these two options let ASTR holders keep their assets liquid while putting them to work. Furthermore, the liquid staking and lending solutions let users use Algem’s liquid nASTR tokens across Astar’s DeFi ecosystem to earn staking rewards and more. In doing so, Algem supports other DeFi protocols by providing liquidity and creating a sustainable and cooperative ecosystem on the Astar Network and Polkadot.

In this article, we'll explore how Algem is shaping the future of decentralized finance on the Astar Network, harnessing the power of Astar's dApp staking program and contributing to the growing DeFi landscape.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeietzohpxa5prbq3nlelc3hdsci46kt32lhq75n2i75hh6w2uu7ru4)  
  
***Could you share some insights into your project and the ecosystem needs it covers?***

Algem focuses on providing Astar users with ways to utilize their assets in different DeFi strategies while remaining liquid and maximizing their yield sources.

We leverage the unique feature of Astar's dApp Staking by unlocking the liquidity of ASTR tokens staked in dApp Staking.

Currently, our main focus is on Liquid dApp Staking and the use of the nASTR token in DeFi on the Astar Network, including liquidity pools and lending platforms. Additionally, we are preparing our next feature, Liquid Farming, which will allow users to farm with LP tokens on DEXes while remaining liquid with lASTR tokens that can then be used in other DeFi strategies.

In Liquid dApp Staking, we also support several dApps, with more to come, to maintain the spirit of dApp Stakingg, where users can support projects of their choice.

  
![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidvzmd7hvn5uzwzb36d3mit7ldannl4mpyqrblmujxtbcapyoub6q)

***What has your journey been like, how did you join Astar ecosystem?***

The founding team has been involved in the Astar ecosystem for a significant period of time. They have participated in lockdrops, Shiden & Astar Crowdloans, and have witnessed the potential of Astar to become a leading ecosystem for multi-channel projects and mass adoptions. We believed in Sota and Hoon's vision for the future of the Web3 industry.

After making contributions to the community and focusing on education, the founding team decided it was time to further support Astar by becoming builders. They will leverage dApp Staking and seize the market opportunity for liquid staking assets on Astar.

***What is your perspective on dApp Staking, and how does it distinguish itself from other incentive programs?***

dApp Staking is an innovative idea, the first of its kind, designed to support teams and projects that aim to integrate into an ecosystem over the long term while benefiting from community support.

Unlike other incentive programs that primarily offer short-term incentives to join an ecosystem, dApp Staking encourages and supports projects to stay and continue building. This approach discourages projects from constantly moving from one grant or ecosystem to another without establishing a lasting presence.

***How has participating in dApp Staking on Astar contributed to the growth and development of your project?***

Since Algem is leveraging the dApp Staking with liquid dApp Staking, our operations are highly dependent on it. Without dApp Staking, Liquid dApp Staking would be impossible, making it a crucial requirement for Algem.

Algem was founded during the bear market, which made it extremely challenging to secure financial support from investors. By being part of dApp Staking, we were able to minimize the need for large investments, indirectly safeguarding the value of our ALGM token. Our goal has always been to make Algem a community-driven project by offering tokens to the most dedicated and early members. By not relying on traditional fundraising methods thanks to dApp Staking, our community is less susceptible to selling pressure from major investors.

The financial support received from dApp Staking has allowed us to continue building over the past year by proposing new updates, protocols to stake on, nASTR token uses, and future enhancements. These achievements would have been impossible otherwise, in the current market conditions. We have been able to focus on improving our product, expanding its reach, and nurturing our community, instead of constantly seeking funding. Additionally, a portion of the rewards from dApp Staking contributes to funding our marketing campaigns, rewarding our contributors, and organizing community activities.

***Looking towards the future, how do you see your project evolving with the continued support from Astar's dApp staking program?***

Our goals remain unchanged: to continuously improve our products, collaborate with more projects in the ecosystem, expand the use of our liquid tokens on Polkadot, and roll out our liquid farming feature. We also have a secret product in the pipeline, leveraging the dApp Staking for new projects wishing to enter the Astar ecosystem. We're also keeping a close eye on the launch of Astar zkEVM and considering our opportunities for entering this new facet of the Astar ecosystem.

Currently, we have integrated[ the nASTR token on Sio2 Finance](https://x.com/Algem%5Fio/status/1724094874562306482?s=20)'s lending platform. This integration allows nASTR holders to use their tokens as collateral and borrow other tokens directly on the Algem interface. To celebrate this milestone, we are organizing a farming campaign with rewards in ASTR tokens from our dApp Staking revenues. This campaign serves as further evidence of the significance and advantages of dApp Staking for Algem. For more information, refer to [Algem's article](https://blog.algem.io/partnership-announcements/empowering-defi-opportunities-algem-partners-with-sio2-finance-for-astr-holders/).

***Finally, what advice would you give to new developers considering building on Astar?***

In addition to the funding and visibility that dApp Staking can provide through the Astar portal, we recommend that builders actively engage with the community. Builders will not only need community support for dApp Staking but also benefit from reaching out to the Astar Core Team. The team is highly accessible and supportive in various aspects, including technology, marketing, and community matters.

---

  
**About Algem**

[Algem](https://www.algem.io/) is a decentralized application built on the Astar Network and offers two main features: liquid staking and liquid farming. As their names suggest, these two options let ASTR holders keep their assets liquid while putting them to work. Furthermore, the liquid staking and lending solutions let users use Algem’s liquid nASTR tokens across Astar’s Defi ecosystem to earn staking rewards and more.

In doing so, Algem supports other Defi protocols by providing liquidity and creating a sustainable and cooperative ecosystem on the Astar Network and Polkadot.

Official Website: [**https://www.algem.io/**](https://www.algem.io/%2A%2A)

Twitter (Formerly): [**https://twitter.com/Algem\_io**](https://twitter.com/Algem%5Fio%2A%2A)

  
**About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network adds an EVM equivalent environment that is seamlessly compatible with existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets on Ethereum.

Official Website: [**https://astar.network/**](https://astar.network/%2A%2A)

Twitter (Formerly): [**https://twitter.com/astarNetwork**](https://twitter.com/astarNetwork%2A%2A)

  

bafybeibqxhgorx6jmwytm2awvfai24rdhcr64foxvl2p7wbyl3sqnrj4uy

Algem's rise on Astar: Shaping the future of DeFi

Welcome to an insightful journey into the world of Algem, a decentralized application flourishing within the Astar ecosystem.

[Algem](https://www.algem.io/) offers two main features: liquid staking and liquid farming. As their names suggest, these two options let ASTR holders keep their assets liquid while putting them to work. Furthermore, the liquid staking and lending solutions let users use Algem’s liquid nASTR tokens across Astar’s DeFi ecosystem to earn staking rewards and more. In doing so, Algem supports other DeFi protocols by providing liquidity and creating a sustainable and cooperative ecosystem on the Astar Network and Polkadot.

In this article, we'll explore how Algem is shaping the future of decentralized finance on the Astar Network, harnessing the power of Astar's dApp staking program and contributing to the growing DeFi landscape.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeietzohpxa5prbq3nlelc3hdsci46kt32lhq75n2i75hh6w2uu7ru4)

***Could you share some insights into your project and the ecosystem needs it covers?***

Algem focuses on providing Astar users with ways to utilize their assets in different DeFi strategies while remaining liquid and maximizing their yield sources.

We leverage the unique feature of Astar's dApp Staking by unlocking the liquidity of ASTR tokens staked in dApp Staking.

Currently, our main focus is on Liquid dApp Staking and the use of the nASTR token in DeFi on the Astar Network, including liquidity pools and lending platforms. Additionally, we are preparing our next feature, Liquid Farming, which will allow users to farm with LP tokens on DEXes while remaining liquid with lASTR tokens that can then be used in other DeFi strategies.

In Liquid dApp Staking, we also support several dApps, with more to come, to maintain the spirit of dApp Stakingg, where users can support projects of their choice.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidvzmd7hvn5uzwzb36d3mit7ldannl4mpyqrblmujxtbcapyoub6q)

***What has your journey been like, how did you join Astar ecosystem?***

The founding team has been involved in the Astar ecosystem for a significant period of time. They have participated in lockdrops, Shiden & Astar Crowdloans, and have witnessed the potential of Astar to become a leading ecosystem for multi-channel projects and mass adoptions. We believed in Sota and Hoon's vision for the future of the Web3 industry.

After making contributions to the community and focusing on education, the founding team decided it was time to further support Astar by becoming builders. They will leverage dApp Staking and seize the market opportunity for liquid staking assets on Astar.

***What is your perspective on dApp Staking, and how does it distinguish itself from other incentive programs?***

dApp Staking is an innovative idea, the first of its kind, designed to support teams and projects that aim to integrate into an ecosystem over the long term while benefiting from community support.

Unlike other incentive programs that primarily offer short-term incentives to join an ecosystem, dApp Staking encourages and supports projects to stay and continue building. This approach discourages projects from constantly moving from one grant or ecosystem to another without establishing a lasting presence.

***How has participating in dApp Staking on Astar contributed to the growth and development of your project?***

Since Algem is leveraging the dApp Staking with liquid dApp Staking, our operations are highly dependent on it. Without dApp Staking, Liquid dApp Staking would be impossible, making it a crucial requirement for Algem.

Algem was founded during the bear market, which made it extremely challenging to secure financial support from investors. By being part of dApp Staking, we were able to minimize the need for large investments, indirectly safeguarding the value of our ALGM token. Our goal has always been to make Algem a community-driven project by offering tokens to the most dedicated and early members. By not relying on traditional fundraising methods thanks to dApp Staking, our community is less susceptible to selling pressure from major investors.

The financial support received from dApp Staking has allowed us to continue building over the past year by proposing new updates, protocols to stake on, nASTR token uses, and future enhancements. These achievements would have been impossible otherwise, in the current market conditions. We have been able to focus on improving our product, expanding its reach, and nurturing our community, instead of constantly seeking funding. Additionally, a portion of the rewards from dApp Staking contributes to funding our marketing campaigns, rewarding our contributors, and organizing community activities.

***Looking towards the future, how do you see your project evolving with the continued support from Astar's dApp staking program?***

Our goals remain unchanged: to continuously improve our products, collaborate with more projects in the ecosystem, expand the use of our liquid tokens on Polkadot, and roll out our liquid farming feature. We also have a secret product in the pipeline, leveraging the dApp Staking for new projects wishing to enter the Astar ecosystem. We're also keeping a close eye on the launch of Astar zkEVM and considering our opportunities for entering this new facet of the Astar ecosystem.

Currently, we have integrated[ the nASTR token on Sio2 Finance](https://x.com/Algem%5Fio/status/1724094874562306482?s=20)'s lending platform. This integration allows nASTR holders to use their tokens as collateral and borrow other tokens directly on the Algem interface. To celebrate this milestone, we are organizing a farming campaign with rewards in ASTR tokens from our dApp Staking revenues. This campaign serves as further evidence of the significance and advantages of dApp Staking for Algem. For more information, refer to [Algem's article](https://blog.algem.io/partnership-announcements/empowering-defi-opportunities-algem-partners-with-sio2-finance-for-astr-holders/).

***Finally, what advice would you give to new developers considering building on Astar?***

In addition to the funding and visibility that dApp Staking can provide through the Astar portal, we recommend that builders actively engage with the community. Builders will not only need community support for dApp Staking but also benefit from reaching out to the Astar Core Team. The team is highly accessible and supportive in various aspects, including technology, marketing, and community matters.

---

**About Algem**

[Algem](https://www.algem.io/) is a decentralized application built on the Astar Network and offers two main features: liquid staking and liquid farming. As their names suggest, these two options let ASTR holders keep their assets liquid while putting them to work. Furthermore, the liquid staking and lending solutions let users use Algem’s liquid nASTR tokens across Astar’s Defi ecosystem to earn staking rewards and more.

In doing so, Algem supports other Defi protocols by providing liquidity and creating a sustainable and cooperative ecosystem on the Astar Network and Polkadot.

Official Website: [**https://www.algem.io/**](https://www.algem.io/%2A%2A)

Twitter (Formerly): [**https://twitter.com/Algem\_io**](https://twitter.com/Algem%5Fio%2A%2A)

**About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network adds an EVM equivalent environment that is seamlessly compatible with existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets on Ethereum.

Official Website: [**https://astar.network/**](https://astar.network/%2A%2A)

Twitter (Formerly): [**https://twitter.com/astarNetwork**](https://twitter.com/astarNetwork%2A%2A)

bafybeiagjfckxvfngnvdqlqpx4bdnzlkkzujimgyfqhm6atfedxlhyxexe

## Tax agencies are getting serious about crypto 

The Japanese tax agency has recently shared some insights into their investigation on income and consumption tax for the fiscal year. They highlighted that they’ve put particular focus on looking into individuals who are dealing with cryptocurrencies. They’ve put increasing effort into crypto, with 584 cases of violations revealed, marking an increase from 444 the previous year. Mostly, these violations were unreported income or other minor neglect on the part of the crypto user. The average undisclosed income amounts to 30 million JPY, roughly $200,000\. 

On average, violators ended up having to pay an additional 10 million JPY to the tax authority. As tax expert Yuichi Murakami pointed out, 30% of undisclosed income ends up being taxed additionally.   

The recent report showcases the increased commitment from the tax authorities to enforce tax compliance in an area not known for it. After all, crypto values tend to overlap quite heavily with libertarian thinking. 

**Takeaway:** Unsurprisingly, the tax authorities are trying to catch potential violators before new regulations will more lightly regulate crypto. The tax agency is expected to continue being proactive in deterring crypto traders from tax violations. 

## Okasan Securities launching an STO 

Okasan Securities, a large securities firm with a marketcap of $1.1 billion and 9 billion in investment trusts, has announced its plans to launch a security token offering for its 100th anniversary. Fittingly, the security token will be its 100th Anniversary bond, and issuance will happen on Progmat. This security token offering is expected to be one of the largest in the Japanese market, with a tentative upper limit of $13.4 million. 

This STO marks an inaugural collaboration between five big companies leading the Japanese ST space, including Muizuho Bank and Mitsubishi UFJ. The token will launch on December 20th, and redemption is scheduled for December the year after. Okasan will issue the tokens while Okasan Securities runs underwriting and sales in collaboration with Mizuho Securities. Management an

**Takeaway:** Security tokens are gaining momentum in Japan, primarily driven by big institutional players. It’s the same institutions that own the issuance platform and are the likely candidates to issue security tokens. While security tokens elsewhere are running at best under the banner of RWAs or not at all, Japanese traditional banks recognize the potential and try to use the technology to their advantage. 

## Hasport NFT rally 

HashPort, in collaboration with JR West Japan, will run a campaign combining NFTs and Japanese love for stamp collection. Throughout, participants can collect NFT stamps in their Expo 2025 wallet app, leaning on the Osaka-Kansai expo.   

All the NFTs are issued and managed by PaletteChain, a custom blockchain solution developed by HashPalette, a subsidiary of the tech company HashPort. A major advantage for consumer-facing digital assets issued on PaletteChain is that the protocol offers fee-free transactions. 

The Expo 2025 wallet will be the official wallet for the Osaka Kansai Expo scheduled for April - October 2025\. It will support not only NFTs but also enable users to pay or access service points with it. The NFT rally will start on November 30th and run until March 24, 2025\. During this time, visitors can collect stamps in six different locations initially. In a future phase, the rally locations will be extended to 20 locations.   

All the designs were created by local illustrators and artists, allowing them to enhance their visibility while designing unique stamps.   

**Takeaway:** The Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 will draw in 25 million visitors. If only 1% of them start using the wallet app, it’d already be a big win for the team. The only next consequential step is selling all of the tickets as NFTs. Either way, it’s encouraging to see continued interest for NFTs in the Japanese market and a focus on combining it with the local tradition of collecting stamps. 

**In other News** 

* [Klaytn Listing on OKCoin](https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/353608)
* [Oasys collaborating with Cryptact to enable PnL tracking](https://coinpost.jp/?p=493555)
* [Mint Town partnering with Astar Network to bring gaming to Astar zkEVM](https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000009.000121453.html)

**Japan Fact**

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeifqg74fu7tywembgvvpxqohsclytvjevgzc235o3oobzv3to7b72m)

There are roughly 80,000 shrines spread all across Japan. Most of them are dedicated to specific gods and kami. The Japanese word for shrine Jinja (神社), literally translates to place of Gods. If you’re in Tokyo, consider a day trip to Nikko to see the Toshogu shrine, considered one of the best to visit. And even better, on your way back, you can make a stop in Utsunomiya for some gyoza. 

bafybeiehnc4hqob5zufgyptnoxwm7idpm4ifjau5pzscbfgul3r22af4mi

Japan Web3 Roundup: Tax agency getting serious, another STO and a new NFT rally

While the first wave of play-to-earn games has calmed down, web3 gaming is here to stay. Countless projects are already building games leveraging blockchain technology and digital assets to increase access, enhance game economics, and empower users. 

## **What is web3 gaming?** 

In general, people refer to anything as web3 gaming that uses web3 elements such as decentralized networks and NFTs to run a game. Instead of going through a centralized server, on web3 games, players interact directly with other players and in-game assets. 

Sometimes, people also use the term GameFi in the same sense, yet GameFi tends to describe more gamified DeFi. An example is Aavegotchi, which gamifies the experience of staking by offering traders NFTs that accumulate rewards for the underlying staked asset. 

Typical elements of web3 games include, but aren’t limited to:   

* **smart contracts:** self-executing pieces of code that play a pivotal role in web3 games. They allow for certain game logic to happen whenever a certain set of conditions is met. They usually manage things like ownership, transfers, and trading of in-game assets.
* **Crypto wallets:** Games sometimes offer users integrated wallets, and other times allow users to connect with their existing wallets. Yet since every action on-chain requires a wallet, every web3 game has them in one form or another.
* **NFTs:** Inside of games, NFTs usually represent in-game assets such as Avatars, skins, and more. Using NFTs also allows for the creation of a secondary market outside of the game.
* **DAOs:** Games in web3 aren’t just managed by centralized teams. Sometimes, they choose to empower their players to be part of the development using a DAO structure. Star Atlas is an example of a game where users govern the game through the DAO.

When games implement web3 tech or build web3 games entirely, they can reap a few of the following benefits. 

## Benefits of web3 gaming 

**Transparency and availability** 

When games are on-chain, all economic activity, transfers, and ownership distribution are visible to anyone without revealing the real identities of players. This allows users to verify ownership of assets. Additionally, transparency can contribute to establishing fairness in players since any malicious transactions are more likely to be discovered. 

Blockchain games also increase availability as they are open to a global audience; all they need to join is an internet connection and potentially a wallet app.   

**Interoperability** 

When players access a blockchain game, they’ll be able to log in with their wallet, allowing them to access assets they own. Interoperability in games refers to things such as cross-platform asset movement, where a player could use a character from one game in other contexts, and portability of NFTs. Since users keep NFTs in their wallets, they’re accessible in any game. However, it will still require integration work from the respective games for the actual ability to use them.

**Ownership** 

Unlike in traditional games, players have control over the in-game assets they own. This means that in no scenario can a game developer take away assets from them or deny them control. And since tokens and NFTs tend to be interoperable to a degree, users can decide what to do with them. If they want to sell them on the secondary market, they can, just as they can, put them into a lending/borrowing protocol. 

**Scarcity** 

While scarcity has been notoriously hard to achieve in digital realms because of the ease of copying, sharing, and recreating assets, blockchains offer a solution to the problem. When creating NFTs, it’s guaranteed that every asset is unique, while users can easily verify the origin and provenance of each item. Digital scarcity and rare in-game items are a perfect fit.   

**On-chain in-game Economy** 

Blockchains offer a secure platform on which game economies can flourish. By bringing the internal economic system of a game on-chain, developers have the ability to automate many payments while still offering users reassurance in how tokens are distributed. Additionally, in-game tokens tend to become valuable outside of the game as tradeable currencies on exchanges. 

**Improved retention** 

Web3 games can also potentially contribute to better retention of players. One way web3 games achieve that is through token rewards paid out to players who return or gain streaks. Another popular way to increase retention is to make players collaborators in the game. Sandbox, for example, allows users to create their own skins and assets, which they can wear in-game or monetize.   

Web3 games can also have better resilience thanks to relying on a decentralized network and removing single points of failure. Nevertheless, game developers looking to adopt web3 might face challenges such as friction created by the need to sign transactions to move ahead in games or the costs associated with that. Putting the entire game logic on-chain for more complex games isn’t always feasible because of storage and scalability constraints.   

Nevertheless, for the above-mentioned benefits, even established game studios are now exploring how they can combine their expertise with the benefits of web3\. 

Astar Network, with its deep ties in the Japanese ecosystem and the upcoming launch of Astar zkEVM, is well positioned to help game developers from indie studio to blue chip make the transition or create their game from scratch. 

To learn more or discuss how your games can benefit from web3, reach out to our team. 

  

bafybeifwnuc3jqcxcyhqmc2n5qds4ghxomxhmfpz3flyi3pwmble2a4w7q

The benefits of Web3 gaming

# Challenges of web3 development

While web3 is an attractive space for developers to build, it presents significant barriers to entry. Venturing into this new technology requires access to top-notch educational resources, tutorials, examples, and the right tools. At times it might also require learning a new programming language altogether. 

Consider the analogy of writing a book: without knowledge of writing techniques and in the absence of basic tools like a pen, paper, or laptop, the likelihood of becoming the author of a bestselling novel is quite slim.

The same thing applies to writing code. Coding requires not only a deep understanding of programming languages and logic but also advanced problem-solving and debugging skills. This intensifies in web3, due to the complexity of smart contracts and dApps compared to traditional web2 programming.

*ChainIDE steps in as a game-changer, addressing these challenges and transforming the web3 development experience. It simplifies smart contract creation, making it as easy as working on a web2 backend.*

# Why is ChainIDE the game-changer?

* ChainIDE significantly reduces the barriers to entry for Astar developers. To begin writing a smart contract, all you need to do is open ChainIDE in your browser window instead of multiple tabs with documentation, examples, etc.
* The journey begins with education. Alongside comprehensive documentation, ChainIDE offers a variety of easy-to-grasp tutorials and examples suited for developers at all skill levels. And on top of that, pre-designed templates in ChainIDE greatly accelerate the development process.
* ChainIDE provides a complete, ready-to-use environment for contract development, equipped with modules for writing, compiling, debugging, testing, deploying, and verifying a smart contract — everything in one place. This makes it incredibly fast and efficient.
* This setup enables developers to run through the edit-build-debug cycle without any friction smoothly.
* Facing coding challenges calls for debugging. ChainIDE addresses this with an interactive compiler and interaction module, providing strong debugging capabilities within its streamlined coding environment.
* Additionally, ChainIDE offers the functionality to both deploy your smart contract and seamlessly interact with it.
* Most significantly, ChainIDE simplifies the process of contract verification to just a few clicks, making it more user-friendly than ever before, which means developers don’t need to use additional tools, saving time significantly.

# Developer’s Impact

Astar's integration with ChainIDE marks a transformative step in fostering developer relations and aims to accelerate mass adoption.

Astar is committed to supporting its developers with a conducive building environment, focusing on ensuring the following essential components:

1. **Ecosystem Potential**: As the #1 Polkadot parachain and a leading blockchain in Japan, Astar Network taps into the vast possibilities of Web3, offering a platform that empowers both individuals and enterprises.
2. **Education**: Astar provides an array of both technical and non-technical tutorials, catering to the learning needs of its developer community.
3. **Tools**: The introduction of Astar ChainIDE fills a crucial gap by providing an all-in-one tool for robust and rapid development.

With ChainIDE's integration, Astar not only simplifies the coding process for developers but also equips them with all the necessary tools to start creating innovative solutions, from a smart contract to a dApp, effortlessly.

# Get Started with Astar ChainIDE

## 1\. Create a new Astar Project

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeibln4ok6sf7y7zggmdlczh6fx6ipx2sejrrwxibh3nxhsagp5dlum)

Visit [ChainIDE](https://chainide.com/) and click the “Try Now” button on the front page as shown in the figure below.

## 2\. Choose a login method

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeibqzj3jizoml7apt4r66ajloj3wwhpu753pl24bceoj4lgvknpkta)

Here, you will choose your login method, which includes two options: GitHub and Guest. We suggest you choose login with GitHub as later on the use of Sandbox requires users to log in with GitHub.

## 3\. Click the “New Project” button

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeic3lzucmt2gpgi6kk2f43c56eb7jsymys6cjfwjg7a3onys3mui3y)

## 4\. Choose EVM/WASM Environment to start

A pop-up window will appear. On the left side of the pop-up, select “Astar,” and on the right side, choose the corresponding smart contract environment (EVM or WASM). Then, click to create a project using a template.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeify6fjydhra7glug42wqvrhze3bor5wxwwweup7wtg4raxgfjvhwm)

For more details, please visit[ ChainIDE Documentation](https://chainide.gitbook.io/chainide-english-1/ethereum-ide-1/13.-astar-ide) or[ ChainIDE for Astar EVM](https://docs.astar.network/docs/build/EVM/chainide-for-astar-evm/) & [ChainIDE for Astar WASM](https://docs.astar.network/docs/build/wasm/chainide-for-astar-wasm/) sections in Astar Documentation.

In essence, Astar Network and ChainIDE partnership is more than just a technical integration; it represents a leap forward in making blockchain technology more accessible, efficient, and powerful for developers worldwide. 

We are excited to see the innovative dApps that will be developed using this tool. 

Start your journey on Astar with Astar ChainIDE for [EVM](https://chainide.com/s/createTempProject/astar-evm) and [Wasm](https://chainide.com/s/astar-wasm/dfd0cedaa34f42afb33785fdead5c2bc)!

  
---

### **About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network adds an EVM equivalent environment that is seamlessly compatible with existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets on Ethereum.

Official Website: <https://astar.network/>

Twitter (Formerly): <https://twitter.com/astarNetwork>

  

bafybeig2apnz3suijybfqq7m7fm3f2mxjwdle2ukngsdk3zzv3rvaoikqe

ChainIDE for Astar: Development Game Changer

## On-chain bond issuance is getting even more efficient 

Progmat, the stablecoin and security token issuance platform by Japanese mega banks has entered a new partnership with Daiwa Securities and SBI R3 to make bond issuance even more effective. 

Throughout this collaboration, Bianca, a system focused on the pre-marketing of bonds, will be integrated and allow direct input from investors for KYC/AML and other purposes through blockchain in compliant, privacy-preserving ways. The traditional pre-issuance process is riddled with inefficiencies, including repetitive, duplicate tasks, countless calls, and emails to verify clients and onboard them.   

With the partnership, the process is streamlined and automated on-chain. Biancha runs on the Corda blockchain to authenticate data and allows data to be shared with authorized companies. In the future, product features will extend to cover allocation decision-making. 

  
**Takeaway:** With the integration of a blockchain-based tool for the pre-marketing process and verification of clients, Progmat is taking another step to become the go-to platform for any enterprise looking to issue digital assets in a compliant and efficient manner. Security tokens might be having a moment in Japan. 

## DM2C Studio raises 3 million 

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeie2dusz5ntv2utgq6pbp7whcux4o7znkp5o5wyztxrvrjevnuyaui)

Image Source: <https://dengekionline.com/articles/214880/> 

The DMM subsidiary, DM2C studio, has closed a fundraising round, receiving over $3 million from investors like Galaxy Interactive, Shima Capital, Bitfinex, and other web3-native investors, as well as from the gaming company Square Enix.   

DM2C studio is a gaming-focused company building a dedicated Layer-2 blockchain that runs on top of Oasys to facilitate the creation of on-chain games and entertainment. The protocol is called Seamoon and will be powered by DM2P, an ERC20 token that can easily be used across multiple chains. The main use case for the token will be gaming-related and include minting as well as burning.   

The funds raised will be used to enhance the product further while increasingly collaborating with partners to host events and driving interest among game developers to build on Seamon, as well as attract players. Eventually, DM2C is also planning to run an IEO, an initial exchange offering, where 0.5% of the total supply will be sold to retail investors.   

**Takeaway:** Gaming remains a hot field in Japan. With a majority of game developers and game players located in Asia, it makes sense for Japanese companies to secure their piece of the cake. Oasys, however, is quite a regional chain, so it remains to be seen how well an L2 on top of it can leverage that to reach global exposure.   

## JCBA publishes DAO guidelines 

The Japanese Cryptocurrency Business Association (JCBA) has released a guideline to empower local organizations to set up DAOs. Titled “Guidelines for establishing local revitalization DAOs”, the paper contains a variety of suggestions on how DAOs can be used, and legally set up to help revitalize local economies.   

The idea of revitalizing DAOs is using web3 tools to create strong communities, including participants from within and outside of the reason, and empower them to take action together via token ownership.   

The paper highlights the uncertainty surrounding a lack of standards for user protection as well as the overall unclear legal status of DAOs. Take, for example, a DAO intending to buy real estate. They’d quickly run into problems opening a bank account or handling taxes. 

To overcome such challenges and increase trust in DAOs as a mechanism, the paper suggests maintaining transparency and disclosing information about legal asset rights, accounting, and taxation upfront.

  
**Takeaway:** Overall, Japanese policymakers and organizations seem deeply interested in DAO. During a DAO Forum in December, key figures from the initiative driving Japan’s digital society efforts and the Rulemaker DAO, a group promoting fair progressive rule, were discussing how to use DAOs to revitalize rural areas. And with countless rural areas facing decline due to urbanization, this move couldn’t be more timely.   

## In other news **📰**  

* Astar will host an [Astar 2.0 Summit in January](https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/359519) to celebrate the upcoming Astar zkEVM mainnet launch
* [TicketMe closes seed round](https://www.neweconomy.jp/posts/360168) to build NFT-based ticketing solution
* Oasys [getting listed on DMM Bitcoin ](https://coinpost.jp/?p=499611)

## Japan Fact 🗾🎅

While in most countries, Christmas is a time when big meals are cooked, and the family gathers to enjoy the feast, in Japan, it has become a tradition to eat KFC for Christmas dinner. So, if you’re in Japan and wonder about the queues in front of KFC around Christmas time, that’s why. 

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Japan Web3 Roundup: Ending the year with more web3 optimism

Modular blockchains became broadly discussed last year when Celestia announced its ambitions. Since then, the modular thesis has taken off with countless data availability layers launching, encouraged by a flourishing L2 ecosystem.   

However, the idea of modular blockchains isn’t entirely new or something that only Celestia has worked on. This post will cover the differences between monolithic and modular blockchains and how Astar Network fits in.   

Most of the so-called alt-L1s are monolithic chains. 

**What are monolithic chains?** 

Monolithic chains combine all the core functions of a blockchain in one. While consensus was the most debated topic for alt L1 launches, the discussion has moved on to different layers. 

Blockchains have four core responsibilities: 

* **Consensus:** coming to an agreement in a decentralized network of nodes on the validity of state transitions
* **Execution:** actually processing transactions submitted by users and smart contracts
* **Settlement:** usually happens alongside execution in modular chains. Settled transactions are considered to be final because it’s improbable that the chain is rolled back.
* **Data availability:** an often lauded property of blockchain is transparency. Data availability is the function that enables it by providing all the data necessary to reconstruct the transaction history and verify the current state of the network.

In monolithic chains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, the same set of validators handles all the above functions. This usually puts an automatic cap on the amount of people who can run a validator as the computing requirements increase with the use of the network. These days, Ethereum Archive nodes store over 10 TB, not the type of storage you’d have on your phone. Similarly, Bitcoin miner's computing requirements are notoriously high, especially when competing for mining rewards.   

Instead of exhausting the hardware and consequently reducing decentralization, newer scaling efforts are focusing on splitting tasks. 

## Modular blockchains 

Put simply; modular blockchains are blockchains dedicated to one or two core functions of a blockchain while leaving the rest to developers to build on top of them. That means a modular blockchain like Celestia or Avail just focuses on Data availability, leaving the other functions aside. 

  
![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidblguidc2czup5huycwfk7lan3yuhky3mfvvjpslxvrx5ay4lmqa)

Src: Celestia blog

### Some background on Ethereum scaling and the need for cheap DA 

While at first, it might be unclear how that is beneficial, it makes more sense when looking at how Ethereum scaling has evolved.   

Ethereum’s initial vision for scaling was sharding, which means splitting the entire network into different smaller blockchains. However, this would require drastic changes to the blockchain, which is why the roadmap has shifted toward Layer-2 scaling. 

Layer-2 scaling increases the throughput of the underlying chain by taking transactions off Layer-1, processing them, and submitting the result of batched transactions back. This year, Layer-2s have increased Ethereum’s overall throughput by more than 5x. However, as active L2 users might have noticed, that did not necessarily mean they could maintain low fees. During high traffic times, fees on the recently launched Linea network spiked to $0.87, which seems acceptable to a DeFi degen but is not in the context of mass adoption. 

One reason for the fee spike is a natural adjustment of price during high demand, as well as an anti-spam mechanism. However, fees are often also driven by the costs these Layer-2s incur when publishing their data to Layer-1, Ethereum.

Up to 90% of the operating cost of Layer-2 are made up of fees from publishing transactions ata to the mainnet. And even with the eventual introduction of ProtoDanksharding and additional storage for L2 data on the mainnet in Blobs, the costs will remain fairly high. 

**Enter Modularity** 

Layer-2s need to publish their transaction data so that anyone can verify their state and ensure that their transactions are legitimate. However, they are not required to use the Ethereum mainnet for data availability. Instead, Rollup and L2 scaling solution operators can significantly reduce their costs by using solutions such as Celestia, Avail, or EigenlayerDA, which tend to have drastically lower storage costs.

Lower costs to publish data are passed on to users, creating an overall better experience for dApps. And even though Data availability might be the most obvious part in the stack that current rollups might want to optimize for, rollups themselves are nothing but modular blockchains for execution. 

The overall idea of modular blockchains is that instead of forcing all different core functions on the same set of machines, it’s better to distribute tasks and optimize layers for their specific tasks. This also allows developers to create combinations of layers that work best for their use case. Just like building something from Lego blocks, they can combine the cheapest DA with an execution-focused layer like FuelVM and the security of Ethereum provided by Eigenlayer through re-staking. This approach reduces the cost of developing entire chains from scratch while offering ways to rely on other networks’ security instead of bootstrapping. 

In short, the benefits of modularity include dropping cost and time to develop and launch new chains, a level of flexibility unmatched by monolithic chains, and scalability. 

 As mentioned before, though, modularity isn’t exactly new. It has been part of the narrative of appchain ecosystems like Polkadot and Cosmos since their inception. Both have built modular frameworks allowing chains to pick different modules and combine them to fit their needs.   

That’s also how Astar Network started. 

**And what about Astar?** 

Astar Network started as a parachain on Polkadot, creating a smart contract hub that other parachains in the ecosystem could tap into. As such, one could assume it’s a monolithic chain, but because it’s part of the Polkadot environment, things are a little different. Essentially, building on Polkadot allows parachains to inherit the security guarantees of the underlying chain, making it akin to the current modular chains. The relay chain takes care of security and consensus, while developers on the parachains can focus on their unique strengths.   

Having advanced to one of the most successful parachains, establishing dApp staking as a mechanism to power community-backed builders, Astar Network has recently partnered with Polgon to expand to the Ethereum ecosystem via a zkEVM L2\.   

With that, we’re also further embracing the modular narrative, having gained experience in building with modular frameworks in the past two years. 

**Outlook for modular chains** 

The future of blockchain looks modular. While there is space for monolithic chains that have already implemented sharding or found their own niche, it increasingly looks like we’ll be building modularly for the time to come. 

While there is a lot of excitement around the idea of stacking layers like they are cake, it’s worth highlighting that a few challenges remain.

In the modular paradigm, security rests heavily on the underlying layer. Devs will have to choose carefully as not to run into situations where one layer failing halts operations on the rest of them. That’s the equivalent of forgetting the biscuit bottom in a black forest cake (it’ll all fall apart…) 

Additionally, while optimizing each layer can result in an experience better than the sum of its parts, the cost is increased complexity. Dealing with fraud proofs or validity proofs to ensure that computation on other Layers has been correct is challenging.   

Not to mention the further fragmentation that modular blockchains introduce in an already fragmented L2 landscape. For the modular paradigm to be successful, a lot of work will have to go into the user layer. At the end of the day, it’s unlikely users will care how much Ethereum-aligned you are, nor want to spend 50 minutes trying to understand what “inheriting security” even means.   

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeihltb2c2g7octcunrnf54jtxwgmyekle7izzlmjvkp6lddgrlpod4)

Src: <https://x.com/miyuki%5F%5Feto/status/1733708553712709899?s=20>   

Nevertheless, with technology improving rapidly and the overall focus shifting to catering to consumers via consumer apps, modular blockchains will certainly play a role in enabling adoption.   
  
  

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Modular Blockchains: all you need to know

## **TL;DR:**

Astar is a multipurpose blockchain platform that supports smart contracts for Polkadot and Ethereum. The ecosystem's agent program welcomes community members to contribute and evolve within Astar. Agents play a key role in community expansion, education, and support. In return, they receive benefits such as recognition, access to the core team, and collaboration opportunities. The application process is simple and focuses on motivations and contributions. If you're interested, you can apply via [Astar's Discor](https://discord.com/invite/astarnetwork)d to join our growing ecosystem.

## Introduction of Astar Network

Astar is an interoperable blockchain platform for Polkadot and Ethereum ecosystems supporting both Wasm and EVM smart contracts. Astar provides native access to Polkadot and Ethereum through its parachain slot and Layer 2 scaling solution while also offering bridges into other major blockchain ecosystems.

Through the #Build2Earn program, Astar offers a basic income to dApp developers, and direct funding to projects through an *unstoppable grants* program.

Guided by its core values and technology, Astar is committed to creating a world that is not simply driven by technology for the sake of technology. Instead, Astar is committed to leveraging the power of technology, particularly decentralized systems, to improve the world and empower communities.

## Ecosystem Agent Program

The Astar Ecosystem Agent program is designed to assist and mentor community members looking to raise their contributions to Astar Network and our communities. By fostering education, driving adoption, and making meaningful connections within the blockchain ecosystem, Agents aspire to become influential advocates, educators, and facilitators. Their goal is to ensure the sustainable growth and decentralization of our ecosystem.

The program is inclusive and open to all, welcoming developers, investors, beginners, crypto-currency experts, content creators, event organizers, and more. The main requirement is to channel your passion and skills to support Astar network and contribute to our community's vibrant ecosystem.

The program has two main tracks:

* **General Agent**, focused on user and project acquisition and support, as well as Astar visibility;
* **Technical Agent**, focused on providing technical support to builders, technology specialists, and building products and tools on our blockchain;

## Responsibilities & Missions

Being an agent means being officially recognized as a representative of the Astar Network and its ecosystem. This role carries a responsibility to uphold the Astar name and its values.

Agents must have a solid understanding of Astar's vision and stay informed of the latest developments. They must be able to contribute effectively to the growth as they play an essential role in the expansion and education of Astar communities. They actively engage with community members, share information, and promote a supportive learning environment.

Agents are encouraged to play an active role in the Astar ecosystem. This includes participating in governance discussions, contributing ideas, and interacting with projects that build on Astar. By engaging in these activities, agents contribute to the sustainability of the ecosystem.

Agents have the opportunity to engage in various facets of the network, covering community management, content creation, event organization, and roles such as business development for onboarding projects or developer for building products. The foundation gives them the necessary tools, resources, and support to achieve their goals and actively contribute to Astar's growth.

The role of an agent is dynamic, including not only representing but also engaging in staying informed, educating communities, and actively participating in the ongoing development of Astar.

## Benefits of the Program

By joining the program, agents get benefits. They are officially recognized as representatives of the Astar network and receive privileged access to the core team, allowing them to get insights, discuss ideas, and stay informed of the latest developments.

In addition, agents build a solid reputation both on-chain and off-chain, reinforcing their status as leaders on Astar. They play a central role in the governance system as council members, helping to shape the future of the network.

The program helps agents to collaborate with leading people and projects in the blockchain space, potentially forging their future careers in Web3\. Agents also benefit from the incentive system, earning income through dApp staking.

Furthermore, they are offered exclusive invitations to local events and conferences sponsored by the Astar Foundation, encouraging networking opportunities and increasing their presence in blockchain communities. The benefits go beyond this, making for a complete and rewarding experience for agents committed to helping the growth of Astar network.

## Here are a few agent success stories

> *Before joining this program, I had already been actively sharing information about Astar. My efforts were recognized, leading to my participation in this program. Although my activities haven't changed significantly, being acknowledged as an ambassador (now an agent) has enhanced my ability to communicate information. Additionally, the community members now find it easier to access information, having a reliable source nearby. I believe this program is essential for managing the community and smoothly expanding the ecosystem.*

[***You425***](https://twitter.com/you425you) ***\- Japanese Superstar Agent***

> *Astar Ecosystem Agent (previously Astar Ambassador) Program from Astar Network has changed my life in understanding the ins and outs of Web3\. Starting from mining Ethereum, then a trader, became active in various communities until finally got the golden opportunity to become an Astar Agent. Learning directly from the Astar Team, especially when they were just starting their project until now becoming a famous chain in Japan, is a rare and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.*

[***Rudy***](https://twitter.com/rudayruday)***\- Indonesian Superstar Agent***

> *Prior to becoming a part of the Astar Ambassador Program, I had already engaged in numerous activities and projects in support of Astar. Upon joining the program, I experienced a profound sense of fulfillment, thanks to the recognition of my efforts, meaningful interactions with Astar cores, and the opportunity to contribute to the substantial growth of Astar through activities I am passionate about. This program stands out as a pivotal component driving Astar's remarkable expansion.*

[***Matt***](https://twitter.com/Matt%5FWeb3%5F) ***\- Czech Superstar Agent***

> *This Astar Ecosystem Agent role has allowed me to experience "Web3 for billions" gradually in real-time by meeting/interacting pioneers and projects. I was able to talk to many enthusiastic people and to know key factors for healthy growth and values for Astar Network. On top of it, like a bi-directional collator, I have had direct interactions with both the Astar core team and the communities, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and mutual support. I have been an Astar Ecosystem Agent more than two years now, and I am often amazed how swiftly time passes and how enjoyable this journey has been. I can definitely say being an Astar Ecosystem Agent has been my pivotal moment in web3 in every aspect.*

[***Pithecus***](https://twitter.com/spmlaihm) ***\- Korean Superstar Agent***

## Application Process

The application process for the Ecosystem Agent program is simple and focuses on the motivations and contributions of candidates. As the program is open, anyone wishing to join can express their interest via [Astar's Discord](https://discord.com/invite/astarnetwork) community channels.

Once their interest has been expressed, candidates, known in Astar as Comets, are guided through the application process by an existing agent or a member of the core team. Comets are encouraged to contribute to Astar by creating various content such as articles, videos, podcasts and graphics that highlight Astar's technology. They can also become actively involved in the community, helping others to use Astar products and organizing virtual or in-person events.

As candidates demonstrate their commitment and contributions, program members will notice them and eventually invite them to join the next phase of the program. For more information about all the phases of the program, [see the Astar Space Club Program](https://www.notion.so/Astar-Space-Club-2023-5e396c75fcf34d698baf288d9aa9230f?pvs=21).

The more a community member contributes to Astar, the more opportunities they have to progress through the program, unlock unique privileges, and join the ranks of long-time contributors.

## Closing Remark

At Astar, we value our community and the people who contribute to it as essential to the success of our journey. As the Astar brand expands into other ecosystems and our reach grows, so do our community members and contributors. We're always looking to welcome motivated new members to our program and ecosystem to support our expansion.

If you're interested in the program, want to contribute to Astar Network, and are looking to grow within our ecosystem, now is the perfect time to apply by joining the [Astar Discord](https://discord.com/invite/astarnetwork).

bafybeib72l5zykeawf5igtngvdl2utxk3irqcrxnr2vdz5dlnbxvj6wfcq

Astar Ecosystem Agent Program

## DeNa launches on-chain Trivia

DeNa, a Japanese company offering mobile portals and e-commerce websites, has launched a trivia game on the Layer-2 Base. Trivia. tech is a multiplayer rapid-fire quiz game where players compete to be the fastest to answer. The game features a total of 26 questions related to Web3 and rewards NFTs for players responding the fastest. The basic game is free to play, and the goal is to collect all 26 NFTs to complete the game.

The campaign runs until February but might close sooner if 100 players complete the game before that deadline. DeNa has chosen to build the game as a PWA, meaning users don’t have to download an app but can simply get started in their mobile browser by logging in with wallets like Meta Mask.

So far, the reception has been positive, with 60 players clearing the game and a total of 28,000 quiz attempts in just the first 6 hours of launch. If you want to get in before it closes, head over here.

For DeNa, this trivia is just a starting point. The company plans on developing further games using the NFTs issued while focusing on providing user-friendly, accessible experiences.

**Takeaway:** The power of casual, free-to-play, on-chain games shouldn’t be underestimated in their potential to onboard people to web3\. PWAs offer a way for teams to circumvent the strict app store rules while still offering a smooth, app-like experience. Chances are, we’ll see more of this.

## Nomura’s Laser Digital launches yet another Token Platform

Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary of the behemoth Nomura Holdings, has announced that they’d be launching yet another web3 infrastructure platform aimed at institutional investors. It’ll be developed in collaboration with WebN, a web3 company support hub.

This platform will be called Libre (not to be confused with the now-dead stablecoin project Libra 👀) and cater to institutions looking to issue and manage alternative assets while remaining compliant with local regulations. Powered by Polygon’s CDK, Libre will enable institutions to leverage Ethereum security to create and issue assets on L2 blockchains. While initially built by a centralized team, the companies look to eventually completely decentralize the platform, allowing issuers and sellers to execute on-chain transactions without intermediaries.

The roadmap for 2024 includes collateralized lending, automated portfolio rebalancing, and increasing usage by entering strategic partnerships and working closely with customers.

**Takeaway:** Nomura is a giant in the traditional securities market. Unsurprisingly, they’re positioning themselves as a place to go to for tokenizing said securities. Citibank estimates that tokenization will hit a $5 trillion market value by 2030, a lucrative space for the ones owning the platforms to issue and manage tokens. The RWA narrative continues going strong in Japanese TradFi.

## Anime Chain Initiative launches

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeifyjgoxb5isy3uap23bymu67d6tix7oey5ktjirztfz3ckjmgw4du)Tengen Uzui, [Image Source](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/06/99605-16558864894006-1920.jpg?w=840)

Even though the name suggests it’d be a chain for Anime, the aim of the Anime Chain initiative is more specific than that. Recently, AI and blockchain experts in Japan came together to announce the Concept of Anime chain, which should help expand the content ecosystem.

In the first phase, this initiative will establish a preparation committee and the usual paperwork, such as roadmaps. The overall goal of the Anime chain is to address copyright and ethical issues related to generative AI while fostering a secure environment for creators and companies to use generative AI.

Their vision is to leverage generative AI in a healthy, sustainable way to foster the entertainment industry, and contribute to solving issues like a lack of illustrators in the anime production industry. Anime Chain plans to achieve this by providing generative AI services using blockchain-secured opt-in data sets for legitimacy, meaning that right holders have approved the use of the source materials.

For now, it’s unclear how the architecture will look in detail, nor which chain they ultimately settle on (no pun intended). In the future, the initiators also consider issuing tokens and building a DAO, but that’s still far off.

**Takeaway:** After Japan’s initial approach to generative AI resulted in a backlash by artists feeling that rules favor copycats instead of original creators, a section is[ now pushing back against allowing free use of copyrighted material ](https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Japan-panel-pushes-to-shield-copyrighted-work-from-AI-training)for training LLMs. Anime Chain is another approach to ensuring that only materials that have explicit consent from their creator are used. The anime industry needs all the support from the generative AI it can get (and also maybe fans that simply boycott studios that exploit their workers).

**Japan Fact:** It seems anime can have a noticeable impact on behaviors. Haikyu, for example, was created to show people that volleyball was cool, and after it aired, there was a noticeable increase in high school students enrolling in their volleyball clubs.

bafybeihuclrvz6xa6wgs2log3tigmslk4rqp3biqxu3vdp2zzlcmkejsxu

Japan Web3 Roundup

We are excited to share that we’re entering a strategic partnership between with the leading Korean Web3 growth agency, DeSpread, to drive web3 adoption further.

Through our partnership, DeSpread will work with us to further embed Astar Network in the Korean Market and bridge between different local cryptocurrency markets to realize our shared vision of global mass adoption. As a key part of this collaboration, Earl Cho, Head of Japanese Business at DeSpread, will join the Astar Agent Program, and this is also expected to enhance communication and cooperation between Astar and Despread.

With its deep connections and expertise in the Korean market, DeSpread will actively inboard partners to Astar network and will facilitate the expansion of Korean web3 companies to Japan with Astar.

*"2024 will be the year when blockchain and Web3 enter the mainstream industries and achieve widespread adoption worldwide. Based on the prominent market share of the Web 3 adoption in the Japanese market, Astar Network is the most proactive blockchain in creating real-life use cases for the masses while expanding into global markets, including Korea. By leveraging each other's networks, we can create a stronger bridge connecting East Asia and the world, accelerating mass adoption."* \- Earl Cho, Head of Japanese Business at DeSpread

Sota Watanabe, the founder of Astar Foundation, stated, "*23rd just yesterday, the stock price of Toyota Motor Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange expanded to a closing price of 4.88 trillion yen, surpassing the record set in the NTT stock price bubble of 1987, marking the highest ever for Japanese companies. Japan has overcome the challenging times known as the 'Lost 30 Years,' and we are on the verge of a turning point. At the same time, it's remarkable that TSMC and Samsung are still positioned above this renewed high. There is much to learn from Taiwanese and Korean companies. Astar Foundation and Startale Labs aim to expand globally by learning the best practices from the Korean market, known for its strong application services, in line with the 'Web3 for Billions' slogan. We are grateful for the support of DeSpread in the Korean blockchain ecosystem, and we feel confident moving forward together."*

---

**About DeSpread**

DeSpread is a leading blockchain consulting firm based in Seoul, South Korea which is founded in 2019\. DeSpread provides various solutions starting from go-to-market strategy, Media PR communication, and branding to awareness growth for both domestic and global projects with their unparalleled professional market knowledge and experience. Their expertise reaches all areas of Web3, including DeFi, NFTs, Metaverse, and Gaming, and the consulting services are fully optimized and customizable to meet the specific needs.

[Website](https://despread.io/?ref=research.despread.io) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/DeSpreadTeam?ref=research.despread.io) | [LinkedIn](https://kr.linkedin.com/company/despread?ref=research.despread.io) | [DeSpread Research](https://research.despread.io/) | [Portfolio Hub](https://hub.despread.io/?ref=research.despread.io)

**About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network adds an EVM equivalent environment that is seamlessly compatible with existing smart contracts, developer tools, and wallets on Ethereum.

[Website ](https://astar.network/)|[ Twitter](https://twitter.com/astarNetwork) | [Discord ](https://discord.com/invite/astarnetwork)| [Telegram](https://t.me/PlasmOfficial) | [Forum](https://forum.astar.network/)

bafybeifl77tm43vy365sosj3idsyrojthrxtzos6ja2mlnrebvl6yzvmyq

DeSpread joins forces with Astar Network to facilitate Global Adoptions of Web3 Strategic Partnership to Propel the Web3 Wave Across the World

> ❗ **What should you do to prepare for dApp Staking v3 migration?**
> 
> All you should do to prepare for dApp Staking v3 launch is to claim your rewards. Nothing else is required from your side.
> 
> Please follow Astar official announcements prior to launch. You will find all the instructions for a smooth migration.

At Astar, we're driven by the mission to transform the internet into a freely owned space by the people, where everyone has inviolable control over their data and assets. This commitment to a user-governed internet lies at the heart of the Web3 vision that inspires us.

How is Web3 correlated with Astar’s dApp Staking? Positively.

*DApp Staking is a crucial accelerator in realizing the Web3 vision, as it lays the foundation for the development of exceptional dApps for users and fuels the drive towards making Web3 accessible to all.*

# What is dApp Staking?

DApp Staking is Astar’s unique mechanism to financially incentivise developers. Moreover, it allows to build a strong relationship between developers, stakers and users of dApps, where everyone is rewarded.

The mechanism is simple: in dApp Staking, developers earn rewards while building their great projects and attracting supporters, while stakers earn by backing their favorite dApps.

## Benefits for Developers

In the Web3 ecosystem, developers are the most valuable resource. That is why Astar considers it essential to provide developers with financial motivation and to ensure they are able to build and earn simultaneously, focusing on development without additional hustle.

## Benefits for Stakers

Logically, token holders want the value of their tokens to go up. This increase in value can happen when the Network grows or when there are fewer tokens in circulation. This way, stakers can not only make their tokens more valuable over time but also earn high returns (APRs) by staking their tokens on dApps.

## Benefits for the Ecosystem

DApp staking is important for making the ecosystem better and more useful. Having more and higher-quality dApps attracts and keeps more users. This leads to a growing network that increases the overall value of the ecosystem in the long run.

# dApp Staking v2 vs v3

At its core, the dApp Staking mechanism will remain the same.

At the same time, this version will bring several enhancements to address the challenges and flaws in the initial protocol design, uncovered internally and by our community:

1. **Scalable Rewards**: Recognizing that there's a limit to how many dApps can be accommodated due to finite rewards, we aim to create a system that expands the number of supported dApps as the network's value increases.
2. **Cap on Rewards**: Each dApp will have a maximum limit on the rewards it can earn to ensure fair distribution.
3. **Support for Newly Launched dApps**: New dApps joining the staking protocol won't have to immediately compete with the most popular ones for substantial rewards, yet healthy competition is still promoted. For this purpose, tier-based reward distribution system will be introduced.
4. **Increased Engagement for Stakers**: We're shifting the focus to encourage stakers to take a more active approach to staking.
5. **Rewards for Active Participation**: Stakers who actively participate and engage will receive greater rewards.
6. **Locking and Staking Separation:** *Locking* funds allows stakers to participate in dApp staking, but locked funds won't bring any rewards. *Staking* means voting for a dApp and becoming eligible for earning rewards.

Let’s have a closer look at dApp Staking v3 in the following chapters.

# dApp Staking v3 Explained

The concept of the dApp Staking is straightforward — users support ecosystem dApps by staking on them, and when the dApp garners sufficient backing, it receives rewards in the native currency, sourced from inflation.

Consequently, stakers are compensated with rewards for their commitment and staking efforts.

## ***Terminology***

To understand how dApp staking v3 works, it’s essential to grasp the following basics:

### Era

`Era` is a basic time unit in dApp Staking. The length of an Era is 7200 blocks, equivalent to roughly 1 day.

### Period

More lengthy time unit of dApp Staking is called `Period`.

To put it simply, if we consider a Period in dApp Staking, it's similar to a concept of a month in human terms , made up of several days (Eras in this case).

*Please note, that this comparison does not reflect an actual duration of the Period in dApp Staking — the Periods will last longer.*

> ❗Take into account: When a **new period starts**, all stakes are reset to **zero**.
> 
> This means, you have to re-stake your tokens (on the same or a different dApp) in the beginning of each period. Thus, beginning of every Period is a Voting phase, where stakers do not earn basic rewards. However, they are eligible for bonus rewards instead. This concept will be explained in detail in the following chapters and FAQ.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeiaggcoiybnly5tfkxbcncuzu6uizdzzgl6cjknphprxv4aa6uikba)

### Subperiods

Each Period consists of two **Subperiods**:

* Voting
* Build&Earn

Continuing with our human time analogy, it's like dividing a month into two (unequal) parts – the first part can be seen as the Voting phase, and the second part is the Build&Earn phase.

`Voting (Staking) Subperiod`

Each Period starts with Voting (Staking) Subperiod. At this point, all stakes are reset to zero, requiring you to stake again.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeihfz5rshp5l26u7gwbnzxfgivbkolnuzd74jddkt7mm7qwmemxjli)

> 🙌🏼 For stakers, it's an important time to reassess how much their selected projects contribute to the ecosystem and then decide whether to continue supporting the same projects or pick different ones to stake on.

The Voting Subperiod is the *“decision making time”*, when *neither stakers nor dApps earn basic rewards*.

However, when the stakers cast their votes during the Voting Subperiod they are eligible for **bonus rewards**.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeic452ga5vhmrqvxtadqnxktwlkoh2a5bpfiat42sc7m5ls44h6smi)

`Build&Earn Subperiod`

Build&Earn Subperiod follows the Voting Subperiod. This is when stakers and dApps **start earning basic rewards**.

Time-wise, Build&Earn Subperiod consists of one or more *eras (each lasts 1 day)*. Stakers and dApps can claim their after each *era* ends.

*Eligibility:* You have to stake for the entire era to be eligible for rewards of this era.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidjlamgypni2cxfn4adv3mu7d6wn5rtkvivx33q4mkiog4g2ej6qi)

> ✅ During the Build&Earn Subperiod, users are also *encouraged to stake* to boost their basic staking rewards. Furthermore, they can restake their earned rewards, increasing their future earnings. The only exemption is the **final era** \- it's not possible to *stake* then since the stake would be invalid.

### dApp Staking v3 Parameters

| Parameter                          | Shibuya          | Shiden Network | Astar Network |
| ---------------------------------- | ---------------- | -------------- | ------------- |
| Blocks in Era                      | 1800 (\~6 hours) | 7200           | 7200          |
| Eras in 1 **Period**               | 28 (\~7 days)    | 61             | 122           |
| Eras in 1 **Voting Subperiod**     | 8 (\~48 hours)   | 6              | 11            |
| Eras in 1 **Build&Earn Subperiod** | 20 (\~120 hours) | 55             | 111           |
| Eras in in **Unlocking Period**    | 4 Eras (\~1 day) | 4              | 9             |
| *Minimum Amount to Stake*          | 5 SBY            | 50 SDN         | 500 ASTR      |

Please find more parameters here: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/protocol-parameters>.

## ***Tier System***

Tier System is a method to rank dApps based on the total value staked on them.

Tier System is updated at the end of each Build&Earn Subperiod era.

There are a limited number of tiers, each with a set number of slots and a minimum threshold for dApps to qualify.

> 🔁 The number of available slots varies, recalculated at the start of each period, and depends on the USD value of ASTR – as ASTR's value rises, so do the slot numbers.

A dApp must gain enough support to enter a tier, with dynamic thresholds for fair competition. Higher tiers offer larger rewards.

You can always view in what tier the dApp is in the Projects Leaderboard.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeib63r5pndrn6xpmrnu7spiwvmcpx62u2wbrru4nmq4rvolp4lyogq)

# Tokenomics 2.0

Tokenomics 2.0 present some changes aimed at driving the long-term success and sustainability of the Astar Network ecosystem.

Key changes include dynamically adjusting ASTR emissions with added burn mechanisms for unused tokens, increasing rewards for dApp builders, and reducing allocations to collators and the treasury for fairer distribution.

The model also aligns Native and EVM fee structures and introduces a phase-in approach to ease transition.

Overall, this approach is designed to optimize emission distribution, control inflation, and support a scalable reward system for dApp developers, contributing to a more robust and balanced economic ecosystem.

Learn more about Tokenomics 2.0:

* Tokenomics 2.0 article: <https://astar.network/blog/astar-tokenomics-2.0:-driving-long-term-success-and-39068>;
* Tokenomics 2.0 Forum discussion: <https://forum.astar.network/t/astar-tokenomics-2-0-a-dynamically-adjusted-inflation/4924>;
* Astar official documentation: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/tokenomics2/>.

---

# FAQ

## For Stakers

### **What does locking the tokens mean?**

Locking up funds essentially means “setting them aside” so they can be used for staking.

This is just a “status” of a token on a blockchain level. **There's no need for any separate actions to lock your tokens**; it's done automatically when you stake.

Please notice, that locked funds **NEVER** leave the staker's wallet - it's only not possible to use those funds for fee payments or transferring them.

In order to participate, user must have a `MinimumLockedAmount` of native currency locked.

### **Does locking bring rewards?**

> ❗ *Locking* doesn't bring any rewards, unless tokens are staked.

Your tokens remain **locked**, but **not** **staked** in the following cases:

* During the *migration to dApp Staking v3*, when all staked tokens will be unstaked, they will remain locked. In order to withdraw these tokens, you should initiate the unlocking process (that lasts 10 days).
* The same will happen at the *beginning of each period*. As explained in the article, at the beginning of each period all tokens will be unstaked, but they will remain locked. Same as during migration, you will be able to re-stake them, or initiate the unlocking process.

Please remember that you have to stake during these phases to continue getting rewards.

### **What is staking?**

Staking means *voting* *for* or *nominating* a dApp to receive rewards.

User's stake on a dApp must be equal or greater than the `MinimumStakeAmount` (**50 SDN or 500 ASTR**).

### How do I participate in dApp Staking?

You can stake on your favorite dApp(s) on [Astar Portal](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dapp-staking/discover).

The user-friendly interface will allow you to track how many tokens you have available to stake, your stakes, accumulated rewards, current phase, and more. You can lock, unlocks, stake, unstake and move your tokens between dApps directly on the Portal.

There, you can also view information about every dApp, their communities and teams.

> ❗ **Remember to DYOR!** Use [Astar Forum,](https://forum.astar.network/) [DefilLama](https://defillama.com/) or [DappRadar](https://dappradar.com/) to get more information about the projects you are willing to stake on.

### **How do I unstake my tokens?**

You can unstake tokens at any time without a specific process, but **unstaking during an era excludes those tokens from that era's reward calculation**.

Unstaking reduces the staked amount immediately for both the current and next eras. Similar to staking, you must claim all unclaimed rewards before you can unstake.

### **How do I unlock my tokens?**

You can unlock your tokens whenever you choose. Unlocking your tokens also automatically unstakes them from any dApp they are staked on, so there is no need for a separate unstaking action.

The tokens will have to go through the unlocking process that will be initiated *automatically.* This is a common mechanism to mitigate selling pressure.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeihxvo4yzhd7dypnc7nwg2dim27z2kwnevmbt2pww632jnut47u3du)

**There's no need for any separate actions to initiate the unlocking of your tokens.**

Once unlocking is complete, you can then withdraw these tokens to your free balance.

### **When will I start getting rewards after I stake?**

If you stake during the dedicated **Voting Subperiod**, you qualify for bonus rewards as long as you maintain or increase your staked amount during the following Build&Earn Subperiod. Bonus rewards can be claimed after the period ends.

If you stake during any era of **Build&Earn Subperiod**, the staked amount is only eligible for rewards from the next era onward.

### **When can I claim my rewards?**

You can get rewards for the eras in which the tokens were staked fully (the whole eras).

Rewards are only claimable for completed eras and can be accumulated. However, if you decide to stake more, you must claim all your rewards first.

Generally, it’s recommended to claim your rewards once a week.

### **What are bonus rewards?**

If a staker staked on a dApp during the `Voting` Subperiod **and keeps the same staked amount or higher** on a dApp through the whole `Build&Earn` Subperiod, they are eligible for the bonus rewards.

### **Can my rewards expire?**

Unclaimed rewards will eventually expire, so it's important to claim them in time or they'll miss out on earnings.

We encourage stakers’ engagement. This way, failing to actively revisit dApp staking at the start of each new period to select dApps for staking means missing out on bonus rewards and earnings.

### **What should you do to prepare for dApp Staking v3 migration?**

*All you should do to prepare for dApp Staking v3 launch is to claim your rewards.* Nothing else is required from your side.

> ❗ Staker’s *locked* tokens will be migrated, but stakes **WILL NOT.**

As a staker, you will need to pick which dApp(s) to stake on again. **It’s important to do so to continue earning rewards**.

Please follow Astar official announcements prior to launch. You will find all the instructions for a smooth migration.

## For Devs

### **How can I participate?**

The process of application and registration for dApps will not change.

Please, find more information here:

* Requirements: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-devs/requirements>;
* Registration: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-devs/register-dapp>.

> ❗ Once the dApp has been registered, stakers can stake on it immediately, and it can earn rewards from the era in which it was registered.

### **How do I manage my dApp & claim rewards?**

When you participate in dApp Staking, you have all the information about your dApp available on [Astar Portal](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dapp-staking/discover), in “*Your Project”* tab.

There you can find your current tier, number of stakers, total earned (total stakes) and your rewards.

### **How are dApps assigned to tiers?**

At the end of each **Build&Earn** Subperiod, dApps are assigned to a tier based on the total value staked on them by users. There are *4 tiers*.

The threshold for tier 4 is fixed, while it is dynamic for the other tiers.

### Is the amount of dApp Staking rewards fixed per dApp?

Rewards for dApps are **dynamic** (tier-dependent), meaning they change from one tier to another.

The rewards of a tier are split evenly among all its slots, ensuring equal rewards for each dApp within a tier, regardless of whether all slots are filled.

## For Everyone

### **Where can I find more information?**

For more detailed information, please refer to the official Astar Docs:

* dApp Staking technical overview: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/dapp-staking-protocol>;
* For Stakers: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/>.

bafybeibef4n5f6d45debnazghfz7exxu4ag5kqeojgaga2jjdaizae5hj4

DApp Staking v3 Explained

The purpose of this dApp Staking v3 User Guide is to detail every step required for stakers and developers before its launch on Astar to ensure a smooth transition to dApp Staking v3.

You will also find guides on how to stake, claim rewards, and withdraw your tokens, all in one place.

> ❗ Please make sure you read the previous article to familiarize yourself with dApp Staking v3, its major updates, specifics and new terminology in [dApp Staking v3 Explained article](https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693).

# About Migration From v2 to v3

Key points to understand about the migration process:

* **All stakers and dApp owners should claim their rewards before dApp Staking v3 is launched.**
* *All registered dApps* will be migrated, no actions required from the dApp owners.
* Staker’s *locked tokens* will be migrated (automatically).
* *Stakes* **WILL NOT** be migrated. *This means that all the tokens that were staked in v2 will be now locked, but not staked.* All stakers will need to pick which dApp(s) to stake on again, or unlock their tokens if they do not wish to receive rewards further.
* Locked tokens will not generate rewards unless they are not staked.
* Once v3 is deployed, v2 will be removed.

# 📌 **Steps to Do Before Migration**

## Stakers

1. Make sure you **claim** all your generated rewards *before the launch.*

You can claim your rewards at any given point of time. Once v3 is launched, all of the unclaimed v2 rewards will become inaccessible. However, Astar team will ensure that all users’ pending rewards are claimed.  
Please, find more information on the reward claim in this [Astar Forum discussion](https://forum.astar.network/t/dapps-staking-v2-delegated-reward-claim-cont/6003). 

2\. After the launch (when all stakes will be reset to 0), evaluate the dApp(s) you have been staking on and choose which dApp(s) **to stake** on **again**.

Keep in mind that all your previously staked tokens will unstaked, but will be kept locked. We encourage you to re-stake them, or unlock if you do not wish to continue getting rewards.

## Developers

1. Make sure you **claim** all your generated rewards *before the launch.* **Otherwise they will be lost.**
2. Communicate with your communities and stakers, encouraging them to actively support the project by staking once dApp Staking v3 is launched.

For more information on migration, please refer to this [Astar Forum post](https://forum.astar.network/t/dapp-staking-migration-from-v2-to-v3/5807).

# dApp Staking Audit

DApp staking v3 has been audited by SR Labs. For more information, please check out [the audit report](https://github.com/AstarNetwork/Audits/blob/main/reports/2024-01%20Astar%20dApp%20Staking%20v3%20-%20SR%20Labs.pdf).

# dApp Staking v3 Participation *Limitations*

## **Ledger Astar Native App Users**

> ❗ For Ledger users who use the native account ([Astar Native App](https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/10971402968733-Astar-ASTR)), dApp staking v3 will be temporarily unavailable.

This is due to how Ledger app works & what is currently being developed.

Ledger users **will still be able to withdraw funds from dApp staking** after migration, they only won’t be able to stake & claim rewards in the new protocol version.

* **Why this limitation?** Ledger is currently developing a new generic app for all Polkadot/Kusama parachains, and that should be available soon (within months). Once that’s available, Ledger native users will be able to participate in dApp staking v3.
* **What can I do right now?** If you wish to actively participate in dApp Staking v3 right from the start, you should start the unbonding period (to optimize your rewards, initiate unbonding prior or right after the launch) and move your funds to either *Astar EVM Account supported by Ledger* (see below), or alternatively move funds to a *hot wallet*.

For more information and guidance, please refer to [Astar Official Documentation](https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/dapp-staking-faq/#q-i-am-a-leger-astar-native-app-user-what-do-i-need-to-do) and [Astar Forum post](https://forum.astar.network/t/dappstaking-v2-to-v3-how-to-do-ledger-users/5953) on this topic.

## **Ledger Astar EVM App Users**

For Astar EVM Ledger App ([Astar EVM](https://support.ledger.com/hc/en-us/articles/5555310160669-Astar-EVM-ASTR)) users, there are no limitations moving to dApp Staking v3\. You will be able to participate in dApp staking v3 immediately.

## **All Other Native and EVM Accounts**

For users staking with Native and EVM Accounts, there are no limitations moving to dApp Staking v3\. You will be able to participate in dApp staking v3 immediately.

# Staking

In dApp Staking v3 all tokens are unstaked from all dApps at the end of the Periods, but they remain *locked*. Every user must stake on dApps again at the beginning of each the new Period.

> ❗ Make sure to vote and stake every new Period.

### 1\. Visit dApp Staking on the Portal

Go to the [Astar Portal](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dapp-staking/discover) and click on the `dApp Staking` page.

Make sure you are connected to the correct network:

* **Shibuya Network**: testnet;
* **Shiden Network**: mainnet on Kusama;
* **Astar Network**: mainnet on Polkadot.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeihbbsrqhtqqv3vnkpblygolclrixnru3ic6iu5peu5rwyh7xx56cq)

### 2\. Discover Projects

> ❗ *What’s New*: Staked TVL and Project Leaderboards are available at the top of the page. Now you can also view the tier of every dApp.

To learn more about the project, click on the project’s card. To make an informed decision, you can also check our [Forum](https://forum.astar.network/), [DefilLama](https://defillama.com/) or [DappRadar](https://dappradar.com/).

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeidmeref5ukvuj6liakuwrj75uwtuk36ehys7s6r7qrezjagpegzxi)

### 3\. Vote & Stake

Click on the Vote/Stake today button on the [dApp staking](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dapp-staking/discover) page or Vote & Stake button on the project page.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeibd7dw43eg5qrpalbnwrr5mfs32cqxbbbkcssb5wxhozyla4fw3h4)

Once on the voting page, choose as many projects as you would like to support and enter the desired amount that can vary for each selected dApp.

You can view how many tokens you have available to stake, and how many are locked or already staked in the section above the `Confirm` button.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeig4h6jkcg62bi2ltvkgcdiub3skglaztynftimjzxw4k5gkwx7q5q)

As the last step, confirm your decisions by clicking on `Confirm` and sign the transaction on the network.

For more information, please refer to [this section](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/staking) of Astar Documentation.

# Managing Stakes and Claiming Rewards

## Managing Stakes

Once you have staked, a new panel named **Staking** will appear in the [Assets Page](https://portal.astar.network/astar/assets) — *My Staking Panel.* This is where you track your staking and locked tokens, see your pending rewards and take actions with your tokens and rewards.

* **Locked amount:** Total amount of tokens locked in the address;  
   * **Unlock (↑):** Unlock your locked tokens *(subject to* [*unlocking parameters*](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/unstaking#overview));  
   * **Stake (↓):** Stake your locked tokens in dApp Staking;
* **Staked amount**: Total amount of tokens you have staked;
* **Rewards**: Total of the estimated Basic and Bonus rewards;  
   * **Available**: Basic estimated rewards earned during the **Build&Earn Subperiod**;  
   * **Bonus:** Bonus estimated rewards earned during the **Vote Subperiod** (if eligible).

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeib4qck5spfss3m3vduwwiixkqkgfpgbz6x5dfbb6hvneojqzcpsae)

For more information, please refer to [this section](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/manage-dApp-Staking) of Astar Documentation.

## Claiming Rewards

To claim your rewards, click on the **Claim Button** and sign the transaction.

If you have a lot of unclaimed rewards (`Eras`), you may have to make several `Claim` calls to receive all your rewards.

> ❗ All pending rewards on a dApp must be claimed before staking again.

For more information, please refer to [this section](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/manage-dApp-Staking) of Astar Documentation.

## Managing the dApps You Staked On

My dApps Panel is where you can see all dApps you have staked on and manage your stake.

* **Bonus:** if you are eligible for the [Bonus](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/#bonus-staking-rewards) on this dApps;
* **Move (→) :** you can move staked tokens between different dApps;
* **Add (↓) :** you can add more tokens in dApp staking on the desired dApp;
* **Unlock (↑) :** you can select how many tokens you want to unlock from your staked amount.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeigezpzp4fy5mapatfkbmdirhxkupl56gh4b6rotl44ydptksbc57m)

# Move Staked Tokens between dApps

Once your tokens have been staked on a dApp, you always have the option of reconsidering your decisions and moving them to another dApp.

1. Go to the **Staking Panel** in the [Asset Page](https://portal.astar.network/astar/assets);
2. Under **My dApps**, click on the **Move button (→)** of the dApp from which you want to move your tokens.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeigezpzp4fy5mapatfkbmdirhxkupl56gh4b6rotl44ydptksbc57m)

Select the dApp(s) to which you want to Move your tokens, enter the desired amount, on the **Confirm Button** and sign the transaction on the network.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeihhewnjruhwiweow5txp6i52cenqnurnvx5kdu7d57bvjfsexdhne)

Bear in mind that when you move tokens from one dApp to another, you are `unstaking` from one dApp to `stake` on a new dApp, which therefore has an impact on your rewards for those dApps.

For more information, please refer to [this section](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/move-staked-tokens) of Astar Documentation.

# Unstaking from dApps

If you have staked on the dApp(s), you can click on `Unlock` from **My dApps Panel** in the [Asset Page](https://portal.astar.network/astar/assets) to make your tokens transferrable:

1. Click on the **Unlock button (↑)** on the dApp you want to unstake from;
2. Select the amount you want to **Unlock**, or click on **Max** to unlock your complete stake;
3. Click on **Start Unlocking**.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeigezpzp4fy5mapatfkbmdirhxkupl56gh4b6rotl44ydptksbc57m)

When unlocking tokens, a new window appears in your Staking Panel — **Unlocking:**

* **Remaining Days** gives you an estimation on how many days or `Eras` you have to wait before being able to withdraw your tokens;
* When your unlock period is over, you need to withdraw your funds by clicking on the **withdraw button**. Sign the transaction and your tokens will be made transferrable in your wallet;
* In case you change your mind, you can **re-lock** your tokens again to use them in dApp Staking.

![](https://ipfs.subsocial.network/ipfs/bafybeicz5ud7j4jsjymwiunqrw7i3tv4slg4ub2uaptv2ivx7bmcqcaae4)

> ❗ **TIP**
> 
> If you `unstake` some of your tokens from a dApp and your remaining tokens are below the minimum staking amount for a dApp, all your tokens will be unstaked from that dApp;
> 
> If you `unstake` your tokens from one dApp during the Build&Earn subperiod and your staked tokens on this dApp are less than your staked tokens at the end of the Voting subperiod for the same dApp, you will no longer be eligible for the Bonus Rewards for that dApp.

For more information, please refer to [this section](https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/move-staked-tokens) of Astar Documentation.

# Useful Links

* **DApp Staking v3 explained**: <https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693>
* DApp Staking **technical overview**: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/dapp-staking-protocol>;
* More information for **Stakers**: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-stakers/>;
* More information for **Developers**: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/use/dapp-staking/for-devs/>;
* DApp Staking v3 **FAQ**: <https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/dapp-staking-faq/#q-i-am-a-leger-astar-native-app-user-what-do-i-need-to-do>
* All details regarding **unclaimed rewards**: <https://forum.astar.network/t/dapp-staking-migration-from-v2-to-v3/5807>
* DApp Staking audit report: <https://github.com/AstarNetwork/Audits/blob/main/reports/2024-01%20Astar%20dApp%20Staking%20v3%20-%20SR%20Labs.pdf>.

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DApp Staking v3 User Guide

**You can watch the entire community call here:** <https://www.youtube.com/live/CdWCkL3i1Bk?si=Iczuh7TTPjEyRJg6&t=45>

# Intro

Astar is starting the year with achieving significant milestones in the roadmap.

We have been working on enhancing the protocol, introduced in the Astar beginning, dApp Staking, that has been empowering dApps to generate passive income with community support. In the second week of February, we'll launch dApp Staking v3 on Astar, introducing significant changes, while preserving the core mechanism.

Concurrently, Astar is expanding its cross-chain capabilities to Ethereum with Astar zkEVM mainnet launch February 2024\. Developed in collaboration with Polygon Labs, Astar zkEVM is a valuable addition to our tech stack. Several crypto-native projects and service providers are already leveraging it to build unique experiences, some of them are: The Graph, Rarible, LayerZero, Safe Core SDK, Gelato Relayer, Web3Auth, SubQuery, Pyth, Safe, Startale, Band Protocol, Subsquid, Acurast.

Following the mainnet launch, Astar will introduce 'Yoki Origins', a journey for users to explore Astar Network's original characters inspired by Japanese Yokais called "Yokis". Users can collect and upgrade Yokis while discovering global artists and enterprises joining Astar zkEVM with a goal to offer an accessible web3 experience for all.

# Astar zkEVM Launch

Astar zkEVM the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. This upgrade expands the Astar Tech Stack to include two solutions: Astar Substrate and Astar zkEVM. Having Astar zkEVM brings new benefits to the community:

* Inheriting Ethereum’s security
* High scalability
* Low fees even during high demand
* Access to a new vibrant web3 ecosystem
* Familiar developer experience powered by Ethereum’s proven stack of tooling and infrastructure

Organizations and businesses are now bringing new use cases to the network in anticipation of the mainnet launch. Two examples this month:

[Yoake Idol](https://astar.network/blog/yasushi-akimoto-japan's-legendary-idol-producer-starts-54961): Yasushi Akimoto, Japan’s legendary idol producer, starts Idol projects on Astar zkEVM. He is the writer and producer known for the widely successful AKB48 Show and music for Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph.

![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/szt4Y3m_XTZn-vKmu_Hv28Ld8IJ9zjwabT3_k_xIzw1JkAQto3A0eb_pylrvjh1eojyfKNcJnE150Ji8a3WW79cy0f78Ks_gxQKtHCKN9YnEKfUCQuQSIu3h2Du4SfxAcNBhGf-hGJJsvDsJzpuG700)

[KOKYO NFTs](https://twitter.com/Kokyo%5Fnft/status/1754313154467860918): Hakuhodo and Japan Airlines have created the second iteration of “KOKYO NFTs” this February, with the main collection mintable on Astar zkEVM mainnet. The collection of NFTs unlocks 6 unique exclusive local experiences across Japan, and will be available for anyone worldwide to purchase on Astar.

![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/SPzTBwCPGtcDjpOokl8tcPG_vNvY3jbfBJpQJjPeoqbZLrUYunqXONlQAxkNa9cehDdqz6YJBtAh3-tohLCwGhlZ0SeZTKxbCKTi8fbZItRtQe43HeqaEikQhgLAT7U_7nq5LcIInfPLJwRBdovh1vQ)

We’re working closely with Polygon Labs to ensure the Astar community is the first to tap into the Polydon CDK technology. A recent update from Polygon will mean that Astar is the first ecosystem to tap into two features unique to Polygon technology: Aggregation Layer & LyLx Bridge.

This means individuals on Astar can access dApps and transfer assets from Polygon PoS and zkEVM without even knowing that they are switching networks.

![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/dACe1sV2NNL1mum_UcPfJtlq4IinG5Mby9mHRVdVoo8fNc3yIgcFDP4K9biSN3l_jiyGwtBhp6hNsygoyoCExqv67KDMYAR4pCnoUGBG1AbkqbdVH-oqI5gfc0wo0QfBqheDPiqnDhC6LCOTaBg6ag8)

# dApp Staking v3

dApp Staking is Astar’s unique mechanism to financially incentivise developers, and build a strong relationship between developers, stakers and users of dApps, where everyone is rewarded.

*It is a crucial accelerator in realizing our Web3 vision, as it lays the foundation for the development of exceptional dApps for users and fuels the drive towards making Web3 accessible to all.*

**What is going to change?**

At its core, the dApp Staking mechanism will remain the same.

At the same time, dApp Staking v3 will bring several enhancements to address the challenges and flaws in the initial protocol design, uncovered internally and by our community:

1. Scalable Rewards: Recognizing that there's a limit to how many dApps can be accommodated due to finite rewards, we aim to create a system that expands the number of supported dApps as the network's value increases.
2. Cap on Rewards: Each dApp will have a maximum limit on the rewards it can earn to ensure fair distribution.
3. Support for Newly Launched dApps: New dApps joining the staking protocol won't have to immediately compete with the most popular ones for substantial rewards, yet healthy competition is still promoted. For this purpose, tier-based reward distribution system will be introduced.
4. Increased Engagement for Stakers: We're shifting the focus to encourage stakers to take a more active approach to staking.
5. Rewards for Active Participation: Stakers who actively participate and engage will receive greater rewards.
6. Locking and Staking Separation: *Locking* funds allows stakers to participate in dApp staking, but locked funds won't bring any rewards. *Staking* means voting for a dApp and becoming eligible for earning rewards.

At Astar, we aim to make dApp staking accessible and attractive to all, with fair competition and rewards for those who are contributing to the Astar ecosystem growth.

**Please find detailed information on dApp Staking v3 in the following resources:**

* DApp Staking v3 explained:[ https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693](https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693)
* DApp Staking v3 user guide:[ https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-user-guide-49692](https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-user-guide-49692)
* DApp Staking v3 documentation:[ https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/](https://docs.astar.network/docs/learn/dapp-staking/)

# Yoki Origins

![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/S-AXkDx_N-n5LBoRCPdjekrL2NQ9OMcwzjw0BgDEkp0Dju7FUTRbwrJzmc6EAcSuvp7zL1CgKHMxGoJMwlFiNiS2Kl7jRzobhQmMvbH_bxfkkXrL1gamMD_XrWW5x918GR2VHjpPBdfa9XImSZK-Muk)

**‘Yoki Origins’ is Astar zkEVM’s launch campaign.**

* There will be Astar Network’s original characters “Yokis” inspired by Japanese Yokais. It will launch right after the zkEVM mainnet launch.
* More than 40 web3 projects, creators, and enterprises are preparing their own NFTs.

**How does the campaign work?**

1. Collect various NFTs. Each project has its own “Yo-Port”, a capsule toy machine. From this machine, users can obtain the project’s original NFTs.
2. Collect OMAs and evolve. Together with projects’ NFTs, users also obtain “OMA” token. This OMA token can be used to hatch Yokis from the capsule. By spending more OMA token, the Yokis will also upgrade.
3. Hatch & upgrade and score! Actions related to owning Yokis will allow users to score points in our campaign!

**Where can I follow more info?**

* Astar created mangas specifically for Yoki Origins.[ Check it out here!](https://twitter.com/AstarNetwork/status/1753708381435806170)
* Want to gain early access to obtain special NFTs at the beginning of the campaign? Check out the[ “1st Edition Capsule” campaign](https://astarnetwork.deform.cc/first-edition-capsule-1/) we are running!  
    
**You can watch the entire community call here:** <https://www.youtube.com/live/CdWCkL3i1Bk?si=Iczuh7TTPjEyRJg6&t=45>

bafybeifqpasdy5sk4o5iuvybyf5hwtzru4x27obd2kplgoadgdt6qc5aga

Community Call: zkEVM Launch, Yoki Origins & dApp Staking V3

The Astar zkEVM mainnet is near, and with the launch, some fascinating and innovative new dApps will be arriving in the Astar ecosystem. They will bring new use cases, business possibilities and DeFi opportunities for Astar users and token holders. We're about to embark on a journey to uncover all these projects arriving in force for the launch, so get ready; the dawn of Astar is coming from the east.

Starting with *DEXs or decentralized exchanges*, the essential applications of decentralized finance on a blockchain. They offer an accessible way to exchange digital assets for users and are foundational elements for more sophisticated DeFi applications. With the public launch of Astar zkEVM, numerous DEXs will be deployed, offering users a wide range of choices and uses. Let's have a look at some of them:

* [**Quickswap**](https://twitter.com/QuickswapDEX), also known as “The Dragon”. No need to introduce it, as it's the leading DEX and AMM on Polygon and Polygon zkEVM chains. Quickswap offers different products to users, ranging from simple swaps to liquidity provision, farming and perpetual swaps, at very fast speeds and with very low transaction costs. The dragon has decided to build his new nest in our ecosystem, and we welcome him with great anticipation.
* [**L2X**](https://twitter.com/l2x%5Fpro), an innovative native decentralized exchange and liquidity hub, aims to deploy on zkEVM from day one and will bring cutting-edge DeFi features to our ecosystem, such as concentrated liquidity for efficient liquidity allocation and a Ve(3,3) token model, a revolutionary mechanism combining Curve's Vote-Escrow system with Olympus DAO's (3,3) model.
* [**VeryLongSwap**](https://twitter.com/VeryLong%5FSwap), from the land of the rising sun and based on the Very Long Animals community, this native Dex will provide additional swapping and farming options for Astar users, while offering other projects an IDO launchpad feature to launch their tokens on Astar zkEVM.
* [**ArthSwap**](https://twitter.com/arthswap). Well-known and leading DEX and AMM protocol on Astar, ArthSwap is launching on Astar zkEVM and will bring its experience of the Astar ecosystem. They aim to become the hub and connector between all Astar ecosystems (Substrate, EVM and zkEVM), enabling efficient and smooth cross-chain transfers and trades of assets.

After decentralized exchanges, the second pillar of a DeFi ecosystem is *lending and borrowing protocols*. These protocols enable holders to use their assets as collateral to borrow other ERC20 assets, creating new opportunities for more advanced DeFi strategies. Astar zkEVM will welcome a range of well-known protocols:

* [**KEOM**](https://twitter.com/KeomProtocol). Born on Polygon and rapidly spreading to other Polygon zk chains, Keom is a suite of zkDefi tools and primitives, creating liquidity markets for lending and borrowing as well as leveraged asset trading and a decentralized on-chain order book with order matching, order creation, bid/ask spreads and market depth visualization. Keom is a leading project in the research and fusion of DeFi and zero knowledge proof technologies, and they have decided to come and innovate on Astar zkEVM.
* [**C14**](https://twitter.com/c14%5Fwtf) is a native Astar zkEVM protocol aimed at providing the most intuitive and straightforward lending and borrowing functionality for defi users. Its main feature is the lending of real world assets (RWAs) and short-term US Treasuries as collateral for borrowing other assets such as USDC tokens. C14 arrives in force on zkEVM with seamless integration and an efficiency mode (eMode) for highly leveraged strategies and efficient yield farming.

*Derivatives and liquid assets* such as liquid staking are the next pillar of our zkEVM DeFi ecosystem, giving users the opportunity to leverage their locked assets for other uses and hence maximize their yield with nested DeFi strategies. On Astar zkEVM, two main assets will be the foundation of these strategies: ASTR and ETH tokens.

* [**Bifrost Finance**](https://twitter.com/Bifrost), cross-chain liquid staking parachain on Polkadot. Bifrost is well known in the existing Astar ecosystem for creating the vASTR (Liquid Staking ASTR) and the vDOT (Liquid Staking DOT) tokens. Bifrost will leverage Astar's unique dApp Staking mechanism by extending the vASTR token to Astar zkEVM, giving users the ability to liquid stake their ASTR tokens on our Layer 2 while receiving dApp Staking rewards and using their vASTR in synergy with other defi protocols.
* [**Ether.fi**](http://Ether.fi) is the largest liquid re-staking protocol (LRT) on Ethereum and is committed to expand into Astar zkEVM, offering various innovative services for ETH holders to achieve efficient yield. From staking ETH on Ethereum mainnet from our Layer 2 to minting weETH (liquid asset) on Astar zkEVM directly and re-staking through EigenLayer, Ether is a valuable partner in bringing liquidity to our DeFi ecosystem to achieve high efficiency.

This concludes the first chapter of our journey to discover Astar zkEVM's growing ecosystem of dApps. With the launch of the mainnet just around the corner, get ready to unleash Astar's potential, try out cutting-edge dApps and take part in our launch campaign: **Yoki Origins**.

*We’ll update this article with links to the next chapters.*

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Exploring Astar zkEVM Ecosystem: The Emergence of DeFi

# **Welcome to Astar Network: A New Dawn in web3 Innovation - Connecting You to web3**

## **A Journey from Plasm to Astar: The Evolution of Our Vision**

### The Genesis: Plasm Network (2018 \~ 2020)

Astar Network, originally known as Plasm Network, embarked on its journey with a vision inspired by Gavin Wood's concept of a heterogeneous interoperable blockchain. Our roots are deeply embedded in the principles of scalability and interoperability, focusing on layer-2 solutions as our cornerstone. The early support from Japanese investors and the Web3 Foundation propelled us from an idea to a reality, marking our entry into the world of blockchain with a unique proposition: layer-2 scalability on Polkadot using Rust, offering a new paradigm for blockchain efficiency and developer engagement.

### The Pivot: Astar Network Emerges (2020 \~ 2023 Q3)

As we navigated through the blockchain landscape, it became evident that our mission needed to evolve. The transition from Plasm to Astar Network signified more than a rebranding; it was a strategic pivot toward creating a more inclusive, developer-friendly ecosystem. By embracing EVM compatibility and dApp staking, alongside our commitment to the Polkadot ecosystem's interoperability, Astar Network positioned itself as a beacon for innovation, attracting a vibrant community of developers and projects.

### Astar 2.0: The Modular/Aggregated Era (2023 Q3 \~ Present)

The launch of Astar 2.0 marked a significant milestone in our journey, introducing a modular framework designed to address the challenges of adoption and scalability head-on. Our collaboration with Polygon to introduce Astar zkEVM stands as a testament to our commitment to cross-chain capabilities, aiming to onboard billions into the web3 space. This strategic partnership leverages the strengths of both ecosystems, promising a seamless experience for developers and users alike.

## **The Meaning of Astar zkEVM Launch**

The introduction of Astar zkEVM is a pivotal moment in our history, addressing critical challenges in the blockchain space such as business and community penetration, instant withdrawals to layer-1, and fragmented liquidity. Astar zkEVM will be the first CDK chain to be fully integrated into Polygon’s upcoming AggLayer, with the aim to support the expansion and interoperability of decentralized applications. By adopting Polygon CDK's zero-knowledge technology, Astar zkEVM not only enhances user flexibility but also paves the way for a unified ecosystem that promises low-latency interactions and a seamless experience across multiple chains.

### Connecting Web2 Corporate to Web3

Astar zkEVM is not just a technological breakthrough; it's a bridge to the future, connecting enterprises with web3\. This is the first opportunity for Japan organizations to build with a a Layer 2 blockchain that they trust. Several groups have already started building on Astar zkEVM, including, [Deloitte Tohmatsu Group](https://astar.network/blog/deloitte-tohmatsu-group-transforms-the-sports-industry-with-56669) in the sports industry and [Yoake Entertainment](https://coincheckup.com/blog/industry-titan-yasushi-akimoto-and-tech-pioneer-astar-join-forces-to-disrupt-idol-space/) in the entertainment industry.

This unique position allows Astar to become a leading blockchain in Japan, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and adoption. Our focus on real-world applications and enterprise solutions with the collaboration between Astar and Polygon underscores our commitment to not just participating in the web3 space but leading it.

### Empowering the Ecosystem

Astar zkEVM is EVM equivalent Ethereum Layer2, which allows Astar to tap into Ethereum Ecosystem. The launch of Astar zkEVM is a catalyst for growth within the Astar ecosystem, attracting top-tier developers and decentralized applications to expand their reach. The integration of our sequencer activity with Astar's economic model exemplifies our innovative approach to ecosystem development, ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for all stakeholders.

## **Join Us on Our Mission**

As we stand on the brink of a new era in blockchain technology, Astar Network invites you to join us in our mission to empower billions through web3\. Our journey from Plasm to Astar, culminating in the launch of Astar zkEVM, reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and interoperability. Together, we can build a future where technology connects, empowers, and transforms lives as internet does today.

Welcome to Astar Network — where your journey into web3 begins.

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Welcome to Astar Network: A New Dawn to Connect You to Web3

Fresh from our dive into DeFi, in this second chapter of our journey, we will now explore another important aspect of a blockchain ecosystem: **community and users**.

Arriving first with ***non-fungible tokens (NFT)***, followed by ***SocialFi*** and ***GameFi***, decentralized applications have brought a new way of connecting users, businesses and projects and bringing them together around the same passion or subject, even at a digital level, and benefiting from the security, veracity and anonymity of blockchain.

The ***NFT revolution*** and the ability to create unique and verifiable assets on a blockchain opens the door to an infinite number of use cases, from the simple collection of assets to their use in the real world as digital proofs of ownership, NFTs are a central element in the expansion of the blockchain industry. Astar zkEVM, inspired by Japan's collector culture, aims to be the leading NFT ecosystem in Asia, and to achieve this, NFT giants and innovative projects acting as a bridge between Web2 and Web3 will deploy on our Layer 2.

* Starting with [**Rarible**](https://twitter.com/rarible)**,** a well-known multi-chain platform offering NFT-related services, such as the creation of non-fungible digital assets for artists and creators, and the trading and distribution of these assets on Ethereum-based blockchains. As an aggregated and vertical NFT Marketplace, Rarible provides to innovative builders brand and NFT API to create their own marketplace and be the link for creators between Web2 and Web3\. By coming to Astar zkEVM, Rarible will unleashing the tools to make our ecosystem important in the NFT industry.
* [**Dew**](https://twitter.com/Dew%5FHQ), the main NFT marketplace on Polygon, is also launching on Astar and is bringing its expertise and reputation from Polygon’s ecosystem and communities. Rather then focusing on large existing collections only, Dew focuses on being the gateway between Web2 and Web3 to cater global brands or entreprises looking to leverage web3 to enhance their connection with users by offering specific services such as innovative reward system that incentivizes users based on their trading activities and invitations sent to other traders. By launching on Astar, they want to position themself has the premier point of access to NFTs and Web3 for Japanese entreprises.
* [**Packs**](https://twitter.com/packs%5Fxyz), a Japanese project aiming to launch the first **Pokemon** **trading card** service on Astar zkEVM. Using blockchain technology, they ambition to enter the tokenized real assets market, redefine the experience of trading cards and digital collectibles, and provide a way to connect card collectors worldwide. Customers will be able to buy card packs, reveal them, sell them on NFT marketplaces or redeem them and receive them at home. Interested in getting your first NFT pokemon on Astar? Make sure you're ready for their first NFT mint in early March.
* [**Kokyo**](https://twitter.com/Kokyo%5Fnft)**,** born of a close collaboration between Japan Airlines, Hakuhodo and in partnership with beyondClub, Kokyo is a project offering Japanese activity packages in the form of NFT. From a Japanese knife or sake workshop to a fireworks cruise on Lake Toya or a day in the shoes of a traditional Japanese samurai, Kokyo brings to Astar zkEVM the ancestral Japanese cultural experience sublimated by unique commemorative NFT. If you're planning a vacation to Japan, you should take a look at what Kokyo and Japan Airlines have to offer.

Where would the community and users be if they couldn't communicate with each other? ***SocialFi*** apps are the next step in the migration of users from Web2 to Web3\. Powered by blockchain technology, SocialFi applications give people the tools and products to communicate transparently, securely and decentralized, while protecting their private information and data.

* [**XO**](https://twitter.com/XO%5Fapp), also known as Rooit, is a social app dedicated to using blockchain to develop authentic relationships using a decentralized identifier to connect users based on their shared stories and feelings rather than just profiles, giving greater insight on their personalities and life perspectives. Built on the Ethereum ecosystem and using the mechanism of tokens to validate the platform's content and creators, XO offers a secure environment, safe from scammers and chatbots, to give users the opportunity to create a real network of real connections.

***Gaming***, an explosive and fast-growing industry over the past few decades, has recently turned its attention to Web3 and blockchain. Gaming seems to be one of the next major steps in the mass adoption of Web3 and Astar, with its Japanese roots, is the perfect place to see the fusion of Web3 and gaming using NFT, transparency and security of blockchain. Gaming projects can easily launch their games on Astar zkEVM and we already have some coming for the launch:

* [**Healthree**](https://twitter.com/Heal3official), the first Web3 Healthcare project on Astar EVM is joining our brand new Layer 2, bringing its expertise and reputation to Astar zkEVM users. With Game-Fi elements, users can create their own avatar, customize it with NFT and have a healthy lifestyle (moving, sleeping, eating) to earn tokens to upgrade their characters and equipment. Having a healthy life in the real world that gives advantages on a blockchain, the fusion of two worlds will be available on Astar.
* [**BattleFly**](https://twitter.com/BattleFlyGame), a competitive Web3 strategy game that uses blockchain technology to allow players to build and customize their battlefly characters using NFT. Players can send their battlefly into arenas several times a day to challenge other players for real-world rewards, and upgrade their characters for more power and fun in-game. With a story set in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) has surpassed human intelligence, BattleFly creates a unique universe with multiple mini-games to satisfy every gamer's craving. Get ready to raise your BattleFly on Astar zkEVM.

The second chapter of the zkEVM journey, focused on community and users, is now complete. As we prepare everything for the launch of the mainnet and the Yoki Origins campaign, don't forget to sign up for the [First edition Capsule form](https://astarnetwork.deform.cc/first-edition-capsule-1/) to get your first NFT.

---

## **About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network connects web3 to you.

For more information visit Astar's: [Official Website](https://astar.network/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/astarNetwork)

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Exploring Astar zkEVM Ecosystem: Innovating User Experiences and Empowering Communities

Fresh from our dive into DeFi, in this second chapter of our journey, we will now explore another important aspect of a blockchain ecosystem: **community and users**.

Arriving first with ***non-fungible tokens (NFT)***, followed by ***SocialFi*** and ***GameFi***, decentralized applications have brought a new way of connecting users, businesses and projects and bringing them together around the same passion or subject, even at a digital level, and benefiting from the security, veracity and anonymity of blockchain.

The ***NFT revolution*** and the ability to create unique and verifiable assets on a blockchain opens the door to an infinite number of use cases, from the simple collection of assets to their use in the real world as digital proofs of ownership, NFTs are a central element in the expansion of the blockchain industry. Astar zkEVM, inspired by Japan's collector culture, aims to be the leading NFT ecosystem in Asia, and to achieve this, NFT giants and innovative projects acting as a bridge between Web2 and Web3 will deploy on our Layer 2.

* Starting with [**Rarible**](https://twitter.com/rarible)**,** a well-known multi-chain platform offering NFT-related services, such as the creation of non-fungible digital assets for artists and creators, and the trading and distribution of these assets on Ethereum-based blockchains. As an aggregated and vertical NFT Marketplace, Rarible provides to innovative builders brand and NFT API to create their own marketplace and be the link for creators between Web2 and Web3\. By coming to Astar zkEVM, Rarible will unleashing the tools to make our ecosystem important in the NFT industry.
* [**Dew**](https://twitter.com/Dew%5FHQ), the main NFT marketplace on Polygon, is also launching on Astar and is bringing its expertise and reputation from Polygon’s ecosystem and communities. Rather then focusing on large existing collections only, Dew focuses on being the gateway between Web2 and Web3 to cater global brands or entreprises looking to leverage web3 to enhance their connection with users by offering specific services such as innovative reward system that incentivizes users based on their trading activities and invitations sent to other traders. By launching on Astar, they want to position themself has the premier point of access to NFTs and Web3 for Japanese entreprises.
* [**Packs**](https://twitter.com/packs%5Fxyz), a Japanese project aiming to launch the first **Pokemon** **trading card** service on Astar zkEVM. Using blockchain technology, they ambition to enter the tokenized real assets market, redefine the experience of trading cards and digital collectibles, and provide a way to connect card collectors worldwide. Customers will be able to buy card packs, reveal them, sell them on NFT marketplaces or redeem them and receive them at home. Interested in getting your first NFT pokemon on Astar? Make sure you're ready for their first NFT mint in early March.
* [**Kokyo**](https://twitter.com/Kokyo%5Fnft)**,** born of a close collaboration between Japan Airlines, Hakuhodo and in partnership with beyondClub, Kokyo is a project offering Japanese activity packages in the form of NFT. From a Japanese knife or sake workshop to a fireworks cruise on Lake Toya or a day in the shoes of a traditional Japanese samurai, Kokyo brings to Astar zkEVM the ancestral Japanese cultural experience sublimated by unique commemorative NFT. If you're planning a vacation to Japan, you should take a look at what Kokyo and Japan Airlines have to offer.

Where would the community and users be if they couldn't communicate with each other? ***SocialFi*** apps are the next step in the migration of users from Web2 to Web3\. Powered by blockchain technology, SocialFi applications give people the tools and products to communicate transparently, securely and decentralized, while protecting their private information and data.

* [**XO**](https://twitter.com/XO%5Fapp), also known as Rooit, is a social app dedicated to using blockchain to develop authentic relationships using a decentralized identifier to connect users based on their shared stories and feelings rather than just profiles, giving greater insight on their personalities and life perspectives. Built on the Ethereum ecosystem and using the mechanism of tokens to validate the platform's content and creators, XO offers a secure environment, safe from scammers and chatbots, to give users the opportunity to create a real network of real connections.

***Gaming***, an explosive and fast-growing industry over the past few decades, has recently turned its attention to Web3 and blockchain. Gaming seems to be one of the next major steps in the mass adoption of Web3 and Astar, with its Japanese roots, is the perfect place to see the fusion of Web3 and gaming using NFT, transparency and security of blockchain. Gaming projects can easily launch their games on Astar zkEVM and we already have some coming for the launch:

* [**Healthree**](https://twitter.com/Heal3official), the first Web3 Healthcare project on Astar EVM is joining our brand new Layer 2, bringing its expertise and reputation to Astar zkEVM users. With Game-Fi elements, users can create their own avatar, customize it with NFT and have a healthy lifestyle (moving, sleeping, eating) to earn tokens to upgrade their characters and equipment. Having a healthy life in the real world that gives advantages on a blockchain, the fusion of two worlds will be available on Astar.
* [**BattleFly**](https://twitter.com/BattleFlyGame), a competitive Web3 strategy game that uses blockchain technology to allow players to build and customize their battlefly characters using NFT. Players can send their battlefly into arenas several times a day to challenge other players for real-world rewards, and upgrade their characters for more power and fun in-game. With a story set in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) has surpassed human intelligence, BattleFly creates a unique universe with multiple mini-games to satisfy every gamer's craving. Get ready to raise your BattleFly on Astar zkEVM.

The second chapter of the zkEVM journey, focused on community and users, is now complete. As we prepare everything for the launch of the mainnet and the Yoki Origins campaign, don't forget to sign up for the [First edition Capsule form](https://astarnetwork.deform.cc/first-edition-capsule-1/) to get your first NFT.

## **About Astar Network**

Astar Network is the gateway for projects across enterprises, entertainment & gaming in Japan and beyond, driving global adoption and delivering web3 to billions. It leverages a cross-virtual machine powered by Polygon and Polkadot to offer customizable blockchain solutions that accelerate web3 adoption. With zk-powered Ethereum L2 Scaling (zkEVM), EVM, Wasm, and a cutting-edge ecosystem, Astar delivers robust, secure, and interoperable web3 technology. Astar zkEVM is the new Layer-2 solution to scale a web3 experience on Ethereum with zero knowledge (ZK) technology. Astar Network connects web3 to you.

For more information visit Astar's: [Official Website](https://astar.network/) | [Twitter](https://twitter.com/astarNetwork)

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## Astar launches a zk-rollup on Ethereum and connects to the Polygon-developed Agglayer

  
**Astar zkEVM** is now public, advancing blockchain adoption as the first Layer-2 chain to fully integrate with Polygon’s AggLayer and begin to consolidate the divided blockchain landscape. This begins unifying state and liquidity and starts cross-chain interoperability between three major ecosystems: Polygon, Ethereum, and Astar Network. Over the next few months, additional projects will implement the CDK standard and immediately connect to the growing ecosystem on Astar, which [currently sits at $700M](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dashboard).  
  
Polygon’s unified bridge allows you to transfer any Ethereum asset natively to Astar zk rollup through a unified bridge. Instead of relying on 3rd party bridges to Ethereum, as other rollups and L2s do—even in a multichain L2 ecosystem—Astar zkEVM will join Polygon zkEVM in the unified bridge. Multiple zk-rollups can be created, optimized, and connected through a shared trustless bridge to Ethereum.

  
**Rapid Adoption of Use Cases**  
  
After a successful testnet period with thousands of contracts deployed, resulting in nearly half a million transactions, Astar's mainnet launch has gained momentum, with developers like Deloitte building an NFT game for a Japanese Government Sports Agency, as well as a real-world asset project called Packs that tokenizes trading cards.  
  
The launch of Astar zkEVM marks the first opportunity for Japanese organizations to build on a Layer-2 blockchain they know and trust. Hakuhodo Inc. and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. are already collaborating on an exciting project called [KOKYO NFT](https://www.kokyo-nft.jp/). The two enterprises are tokenizing local experiences and real-world assets as NFTs on Astar zkEVM, tightening connections between Japanese tourism and international travelers.  
  
With the full Agglayer integration, Japanese enterprises have never been closer to the booming growth across the [Polygon CDK ecosystem](https://ecosystem.polygon.technology/spn/cdk/). Our zero-knowledge technology facilitates off-chain execution and data availability, known as a *validium*, an architecture that can lead to massive enhancement in scalability.  

**What to Look Forward To**

Even at this early stage, [AggLayer](https://polygon.technology/blog/aggregated-blockchains-a-new-thesis) begins to feel like using a single chain, combining shared liquidity while keeping Astar Network a sovereign blockchain. Astar zkEVM is setting a new standard for web3 user experience (UX) with unified liquidity, community, and atomic transactions. This is a significant milestone in Astar's 2.0 mission to build a more equitable web, empowering communities across the world.  
  
"*Today is an important first step to welcome communities to a seamless multi-chain ecosystem. With Astar and numerous other ZK-powered chains onboarding soon, Polygon CDK and AggLayer are poised to bring internet-scale capabilities to the world of crypto.*" - **Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon**.  
  
Before the mainnet launch, Astar adopted [new tokenomics](https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693), focused on long-term sustainability, that allows projects from Astar zkEVM to join dApp staking as well. Astar will launch its mainnet fully serviced, with infrastructure partners like Startale, LayerZero, The Graph, Pyth, and Gelato’s industry-leading web3 services.  

**Yoki Origins: Experience Astar zkEVM**

We’re thinking of fun ways to invite the community to engage and enjoy exploring with Astar ecosystem—that is what Yoki Origins is about. It is a journey to discover original Yoki characters inspired by supernatural creatures from Japan called Yokai. We invite you to collect and upgrade your Yoki while engaging talented artists, world-leading innovators, and web3 builders who have joined Astar zkEVM.  

<https://yoki.astar.network/>  
  
Join our [discord](https://discord.gg/astarnetwork) or [X](https://twitter.com/AstarNetwork) account to meet other adventurers and stay on top of the latest alpha!

bafybeichcvuna3tedcmhqlpjxvg622amt32z63zp56qxtnykdww4tng7mu

Astar's zkEVM Mainnet is Live!

## Astar launches a zk-rollup on Ethereum and connects to the Polygon-developed Agglayer

**Astar zkEVM** is now public, advancing blockchain adoption as the first Layer-2 chain to fully integrate with Polygon’s AggLayer and begin to consolidate the divided blockchain landscape. This begins unifying state and liquidity and starts cross-chain interoperability between three major ecosystems: Polygon, Ethereum, and Astar Network. Over the next few months, additional projects will implement the CDK standard and immediately connect to the growing ecosystem on Astar, which [currently sits at $700M](https://portal.astar.network/astar/dashboard).

Polygon’s unified bridge allows you to transfer any Ethereum asset natively to Astar zk rollup through a unified bridge. Instead of relying on 3rd party bridges to Ethereum, as other rollups and L2s do—even in a multichain L2 ecosystem—Astar zkEVM will join Polygon zkEVM in the unified bridge. Multiple zk-rollups can be created, optimized, and connected through a shared trustless bridge to Ethereum.

**Rapid Adoption of Use Cases**

After a successful testnet period with thousands of contracts deployed, resulting in nearly half a million transactions, Astar's mainnet launch has gained momentum, with developers like Deloitte building an NFT game for a Japanese Government Sports Agency, as well as a real-world asset project called Packs that tokenizes trading cards.

The launch of Astar zkEVM marks the first opportunity for Japanese organizations to build on a Layer-2 blockchain they know and trust. Hakuhodo Inc. and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. are already collaborating on an exciting project called [KOKYO NFT](https://www.kokyo-nft.jp/). The two enterprises are tokenizing local experiences and real-world assets as NFTs on Astar zkEVM, tightening connections between Japanese tourism and international travelers.

With the full Agglayer integration, Japanese enterprises have never been closer to the booming growth across the [Polygon CDK ecosystem](https://ecosystem.polygon.technology/spn/cdk/). Our zero-knowledge technology facilitates off-chain execution and data availability, known as a *validium*, an architecture that can lead to massive enhancement in scalability.

**What to Look Forward To**

Even at this early stage, [AggLayer](https://polygon.technology/blog/aggregated-blockchains-a-new-thesis) begins to feel like using a single chain, combining shared liquidity while keeping Astar Network a sovereign blockchain. Astar zkEVM is setting a new standard for web3 user experience (UX) with unified liquidity, community, and atomic transactions. This is a significant milestone in Astar's 2.0 mission to build a more equitable web, empowering communities across the world.

"*Today is an important first step to welcome communities to a seamless multi-chain ecosystem. With Astar and numerous other ZK-powered chains onboarding soon, Polygon CDK and AggLayer are poised to bring internet-scale capabilities to the world of crypto.*" - **Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon**.

Before the mainnet launch, Astar adopted [new tokenomics](https://astar.network/blog/dapp-staking-v3-explained-48693), focused on long-term sustainability, that allows projects from Astar zkEVM to join dApp staking as well. Astar will launch its mainnet fully serviced, with infrastructure partners like Startale, LayerZero, The Graph, Pyth, and Gelato’s industry-leading web3 services.

**Yoki Origins: Experience Astar zkEVM**

We’re thinking of fun ways to invite the community to engage and enjoy exploring with Astar ecosystem—that is what Yoki Origins is about. It is a journey to discover original Yoki characters inspired by supernatural creatures from Japan called Yokai. We invite you to collect and upgrade your Yoki while engaging talented artists, world-leading innovators, and web3 builders who have joined Astar zkEVM.

<https://yoki.astar.network/>

Join our [discord](https://discord.gg/astarnetwork) or [X](https://twitter.com/AstarNetwork) account to meet other adventurers and stay on top of the latest alpha!

bafybeift4hjsia24clsrdg775ekwz677ogrwlpyifvhspv73k5fk2wqwdy

bafyreiatnm3nkai7brzbtjdnl4gyosfb3nh66mxje2oek4f73hjo2ykhua

Astar Network

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Kahori

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Deprecated Astar Network Team

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Astar launches a zk-rollup on Ethereum and connects to the Polygon-developed Agglayer

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Welcome to Astar Network: A New Dawn in web3 Innovation - Connecting You to web3

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As the market recovers, many Blue Chip Projects from the last bull cycle have announced new exciting initiatives. Among them is Cool Cats, an NFT project well-known for their Blue Cat Character, forming the base of their 9,999 NFTs collection. They quickly gained success...

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You can watch the entire community call here: https://www.youtube.com/live/CdWCkL3i1Bk?si=Iczuh7TTPjEyRJg6\&t=45

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