Latest news with #MapleStory
Finextra
17-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Are we finally seeing the shift to blockchain-as-infrastructure?
0 This content is contributed or sourced from third parties but has been subject to Finextra editorial review. The real news about digital asset innovation is often drowned out by 'crypto' noise such as the collapse of FTX and the launch of Trump Coins, but what should we really be listening to? 2025 is the year that Stripe went all in, heralding reports of a stablecoin gold rush in financial services as the UK's Insolvency Service announces they have hired its first dedicated crypto intelligence specialist to help trace digital assets in bankruptcy cases. Last month, MapleStory (an online RPG with 180 million registered users worldwide and over $3 billion in revenue) launched MapleStory Universe, a blockchain version of the game with in-game currency. Is blockchain-as-infrastructure, or stablecoins-as-a-platform (pick your preferred summary) finally happening? The blockchain-banking boom Efi Pylarinou has written about how the banks are 'fighting back' in the face of a $225 billion stablecoin boom and sets out the two main strategies; the first being joining the stablecoin gold rush. There is evidence of this approach in the exploration of a joint stablecoin consortium by JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo, the biggest Wall Street crypto collaboration ever. Sony Bank is also conducting a stablecoin proof-of-concept on Polygon for gaming/entertainment payments and the Bank of America CEO publicly stating readiness to issue dollar-backed stablecoin. The second strategy Efi identifies is the building of competing tokenised deposits. Examples of this approach can be seen in the launch of Asia's first tokenised deposit service by HSBC Hong Kong with Ant International (24/7 HKD/USD transfers). Also, in JPMorgan's Kinexys processing over $300 billion in tokenised deposits with EUR/USD/GBP support, and Mastercard integrating its blockchain network with Kinexys for cross-border payments. There is excitement in the US about the potential for a regulatory 'unlock' if the GENIUS Act passes. As currently drafted, if you are a 'permitted stablecoin issuer' you will be able to treat stablecoins as cash equivalents on your balance sheet. This would be radically simpler than the prudential rules and custody requirements of other financial products. UK digital asset legislation In the UK, I have been involved in the development of legislation that will accommodate a new form of property class (neither a thing in possession nor a thing in action) in common law, perhaps better reflecting the particular qualities of digital assets. Further regulatory developments are under consideration in two new consultations published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) last month (May 28 2025). The papers aim to clarify the rules for businesses in the crypto space and enhance consumer protection. The first, 'Prudential Requirements for Cryptoasset Firms', focuses on introducing rules for firms – including those issuing stablecoins and safeguarding cryptoassets – that will ensure they can operate safely and withstand periods of stress. Key proposals include capital requirements made up of the higher of a permanent minimum capital threshold (£350k for issuers, £150k for custodians), a fixed overheads requirement based on annual expenditure and an activity-based 'K-factor' requirement, that scale with the firm's crypto exposure. Firms must also liquidity buffer with stress testing frameworks to simulate outflows and adverse events. The second, 'Stablecoin Issuance and Cryptoasset Custody', looks at the rules for stablecoin issuers and firms that safeguard cryptoassets. It sets out requirements to ensure that stablecoins are properly backed by secure assets, with clear provisions for redemption. It intentionally excludes unbacked or algorithmic tokens and focuses on improving consumer confidence by ensuring that firms are authorised, and introducing trust structures for backing assets, transparency and custodian obligations for firms and redemption rights for holders. The aim is to support innovation while providing strong consumer protection. Responses to the current proposals should be directed to the FCA – the consultation is open until 31 July. Inversion Chain: A case study in blockchain-as-infrastructure At a recent event I was interested in a presentation given by Santiago Santos who has recently launched a company, Inversion Chain. He was bullish about the prospect of one billion users on chain. His business model depends on acquiring traditional businesses, in this case telcos, and integrating them with blockchain technology. Inversion targets these assets (and the ready-made audiences attached) and then rewires the business. Network costs fall as traffic is off-loaded to community hotspots, payment costs drop when billing moves from card rails to stablecoin rails, back-office overhead shrinks as on-chain settlement automates reconciliation and compliance. When that's all done, Inversion 'flips a switch' in the existing top-up app. Every subscriber sees a new, dollar-denominated balance right next to their data meter. They can store savings, receive remittances, and pay merchants, all without new log-ins, tutorials, or crypto jargon. As the account rides on stablecoins in the background, users enjoy dollar stability while the company enjoys instant, low-cost settlement. By taking this approach, Inversion aims to transform everyday phone plans into the fastest bridge yet between the mainstream world and the blockchain economy. It's a fascinating case study for the blockchain-as-infrastructure story. Listening closely to how regulation in the US and the UK will shape progress in this space is of more than of interest.
Korea Herald
17-06-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Can Korea's gaming industry win big under new president?
President Lee Jae-myung's pro-gaming stance boosts hopes for nation's gaming industry, but its policy impact remains uncertain Once a global powerhouse in online and mobile gaming with legacy titles like MapleStory and Lineage, South Korea's gaming industry has seen its international influence wane in recent years. But with the election of a new president who champions gaming, the industry may be poised for a turnaround. President Lee Jae-myung has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for the country's game developers and players. His pro-gaming stance has sparked cautious optimism in some corners of the industry, though it remains to be seen whether his campaign rhetoric will result in actionable policy. 'In the past, by classifying games as an addictive substance, Korea, once a leading nation in gaming, was overtaken by China,' Lee said during a May 17 esports event. '(I think) it's important not to treat games like drugs.' Lee has repeatedly cited gaming as a key pillar of Korea's content economy. His campaign promises included a slate of initiatives to revitalize the sector by increasing the budget for a game-focused parent fund, loosening regulatory constraints, supporting international expansion and bolstering the domestic indie game ecosystem. Notably, he also pledged to delay adding gaming disorder to the nation's official disease classification system — a particularly contentious issue given ongoing debates over how to address youth gaming addiction. The final decision on whether gaming disorder will receive official medical recognition is expected to hinge on the 10th revision of the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases, due by year's end. Still, the president's remarks and pledges have already drawn positive reactions from developers and players alike. "If the policies that President Lee has proposed are implemented, the competitiveness of Korea's gaming industry will be further strengthened, especially the decision to postpone the disease code classification and delegate regulation duties to private-sector for game ratings," said an official from a local game production company, speaking on condition of anonymity. 'All this time, the mainstream view was that games are harmful or something to be controlled for addiction issues, but now it feels incredibly moving to see that we're entering an era where games are being seen as a future industry,' said Lee Byung-joon, a gamer in his 20s. Yet for many in the industry, optimism is tempered by experience. 'President Lee is among the most motivated leaders we've seen to actively support the nation's gaming industry, but a lot of pledges from politicians have fallen apart in the past, so it's too early to be completely optimistic,' said an official from a local video game publisher. 'Also, the pledges are a bit vague right now. Since policy direction tends to be fluid in the early stages of a new administration, a concrete implementation roadmap for up-to-date, trendy policies is necessary to build trust." Over the past decade, South Korea's gaming dominance has eroded. A combination of rising international competition and internal controversy has contributed to the downturn, with the rapid ascent of Chinese gaming firms, buoyed by aggressive government support and a series of strategic overseas acquisitions, being pointed to as one of the key factors. On the home front, local game developers have been plagued by consumer distrust following a string of scandals involving misleading odds disclosures. At the policy level, inconsistent government support and debates on classifying gaming addiction as a medical condition have been pointed out as other factors that further strain the industry.
Arabian Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Tencent Set to Pursue Nexon Takeover
Tencent is reportedly in discussions to acquire Nexon, the developer behind MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter, in a deal that could exceed US$15 billion, signalling a strategic push into South Korea's gaming and Web3 sectors. Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent has approached the family of Nexon's late founder Kim Jung‑ju, which controls a 44.4 per cent stake through NXC Corp, to explore acquiring a substantial portion or full control of the company. The proposed transaction, valued at around 20 trillion won, aims to secure Tencent long‑term rights to Nexon's celebrated intellectual property while bolstering its position in South Korea's lucrative gaming market. Nexon, founded in Seoul in 1994 and now headquartered in Tokyo, is best known for its enduring franchises MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter. The firm has been a pioneer in integrating games with Web3 technologies, launching a blockchain division dubbed NEXPACE and rolling out MapleStory Universe—complete with NFT item mechanics, token economies and a gasless transaction system on the Avalanche network. The NXPC token was listed on major crypto exchanges, reflecting deep commitment to a decentralised gaming strategy. ADVERTISEMENT While Tencent had previously tried to acquire Nexon in 2019—efforts fell through over valuation disagreements—the company has since fortified its global gaming footprint with a US$1.3 billion investment in Ubisoft and a 10 per cent stake in South Korea's SM Entertainment, a major K‑pop label. Its renewed interest in Nexon aligns with a broader ambition to dominate both blockchain and traditional gaming domains, despite sector‑wide funding slowdowns and reduced daily active user metrics in Web3 games. Sources emphasise that while discussions are underway, no definitive agreement has been reached and terms remain fluid. The Kim family is reportedly consulting financial advisers on the potential sale. Part of the complexity stems from their decision last year to transfer shares to settle inheritance taxes, a move that added governmental and family stakeholders into the mix. Nexon has seen its share price rise over 10 per cent in 2025, though it remains about 30 per cent below its 2021 peak. The Tokyo‑listed firm was valued at approximately US$15–16.6 billion, depending on market conditions. Tencent's remote stance with acquired studios suggests that any purchase may leave Nexon's operational autonomy largely intact. But the deal could deliver Tencent stronger access to Western and Asian markets, reinforcing its Web3 and blockchain ambitions. For Nexon, aligning with Tencent offers capital resources to scale blockchain gaming efforts and deepen development of blockchain-enabled platforms such as MapleStory Universe. Since launching MapleStory N in May 2025, the company has leveraged its Web3 unit's Abu Dhabi‑based NEXPACE to expand global blockchain gaming operations. With Tencent prioritising organic growth and strategic minority investments—such as expanding its blockchain infrastructure partnerships with TON Foundation and Chainbase—this potential acquisition represents one of its most ambitious M&A moves post‑2020 Chinese regulatory tightening. Should negotiations succeed, Tencent would gain direct control over multiple high‑value IPs and a formidable presence in South Korea's gaming ecosystem, presenting both strategic advantages and regulatory scrutiny across jurisdictions. The deal's complexity—woven through family, government, and market dynamics—ensures that stakeholders across the industry are closely watching every development.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tencent explores acquisition of Nexon to strengthen gaming portfolio
Tencent Holdings is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Nexon to bolster its gaming operations. The Chinese company has initiated discussions with the family of Nexon's late founder, Kim Jung-ju, regarding a possible deal, reported Bloomberg. Nexon, established in South Korea in 1994 and listed in Japan in 2011, is known for popular role-playing games such as MapleStory. Tencent and Nexon have previously collaborated on projects, including the co-development of Dungeon & Fighter, which has been a major source of revenue. The Kim family holds their stake in Nexon through NXC, which owned 44.4% of Nexon as of 30 June, according to Nexon's interim report. Kim's wife and daughters control approximately 67.6% of NXC. While the family is consulting advisers to evaluate their options, it remains unclear how open they are to selling their Nexon stake, and there is no guarantee that Tencent's discussions will lead to a transaction, the report said. This move follows Tencent's previous attempt to acquire Nexon in 2019 and coincides with other investments in South Korean assets. In late May 2025, a Tencent subsidiary agreed to purchase a nearly 10% stake in Seoul-based music producer SM Entertainment, aligning with the easing of an unofficial ban on K-pop in mainland China. In March, Tencent also committed €1.16bn ($1.3bn) for a 25% stake in a new Ubisoft unit holding intellectual property rights, including those for Assassin's Creed. In 2024, Tencent cancelled its mobile game based on Square Enix's Nier franchise after two years of development, citing monetisation challenges amid high costs and franchise rights issues. "Tencent explores acquisition of Nexon to strengthen gaming portfolio" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Geek Culture
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
MapleStorySEA's Summer Update Drops Explosive Challengers World, Hyper Burning MAX & Dawnstar Party
Even after two decades of grinding, jumping, and bossing, Maple World isn't showing signs of stopping, as MapleStorySEA is bringing one of its most ambitious updates yet to mark the game's 20th anniversary. With new content arriving from June through August 2025, the classic MMORPG is rolling out a suite of new systems, character upgrades, celebratory events, and offline festivities that promise to reshape the summer for veteran players and newcomers alike. First up is Challengers World, a limited-time high-growth server that runs from 4 June to 30 September 2025. Players can create up to five new characters on this server – three of which can be designated as Tera Burning, for faster levelling. All characters in Challengers World start with an exclusive 'Challengers' passive buff that drastically enhances EXP gains, damage output, and critical hit rate. Special missions offer exclusive points and items, but players must transfer their characters to the main servers before the event ends to keep their progress. Miss the World Leap window, and those characters vanish. Launching alongside it is Hyper Burning MAX, a new growth mechanic that accelerates characters toward level 260. Whether starting fresh or using an existing character between levels 200 and 258, players are entitled to a sweet 1+4 bonus, earning five levels for every normal level-up. The rewards along the way include enhanced gear like the Root Abyss set and Absolab weapons, the powerful Eternal Flame title and ring, Arcane and Authentic Symbols, and endgame skill-enhancing Core Gemstones. Additional events such as Tera Blink and the Double Mushroom Pass provide even more EXP and gear incentives, while the upcoming Champion Burning event on 30 July offers another wave of levelling support. Themed events continue with Dawnstar Party from 4 June to 19 August. Infiltrate the Apostles' chaotic gala as an undercover attendant, gather Dawnlight and Starlight Points, and exchange them for buffs, cosmetics, and the coveted Hyper Burning MAX Booster. The event also introduces boss badges and weekly missions where players can exchange them for elite materials and enhancements, adding more variety and incentives for daily play. Celebrations reach a peak with the Special Party from 18 June to 29 July, led by NPC Broomy. Designed as a nod to MapleStorySEA's 20-year legacy, the event features minigames and rewards tailored for long-time fans. On the quality-of-life front, 4 June sees the arrival of Better Maple enhancements. The new Skill Sequence System allows players to cast all buffs with a single key press, eliminating the extra stress and time needed to hit multiple keys, and the Union Board Auto Solver instantly arranges character placements for optimal stat boosts with just one-tap. Market integration across worlds (excluding Challengers World) also makes trading easier and more convenient through a unified Auction House and Meso Market. Major content drops continue into July. The 3rd and 4th Mastery Cores for the 6th Job will arrive on MapleStorySEA's shores on 9 July, offering new skill customisations and animations across all 48 classes. On 30 July, high-level players can push further with the new Union Champion system. This new mechanic ranks designated characters through boss challenges, offering permanent stat bonuses and a customisable buff called Champion's Blessing that applies across all Champions. Capping off the festivities are two large-scale offline anniversary events. The first will be held in Malaysia from 18 to 20 July at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall, followed by Singapore from 15 to 17 August at Suntec City. Attendees can expect exclusive anniversary merchandise, community activities, and live experiences celebrating MapleStorySEA's milestone. Entry is free, but RSVP packages packed with rewards are limited and will be going fast. Further details on RSVP sales can be found on MapleStorySEA's official channels. With its 20th Anniversary Summer update, MapleStorySEA is celebrating history and setting a new standard for the years to come. For full details, visit the MapleStorySEA website and follow the official MapleStorySEA pages on Instagram and Facebook. Passion and love mean little to the Baroness. No man can ever be her master. Where there's terror to be sown and coin earned, that's where she will be with guns akimbo. Advertorial maplestory MapleStorySEA Singapore
