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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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 | Twitter