Japanese messaging giant LINE is set to introduce mini-decentralized applications (dApps) on its messaging app in collaboration with the Kaia DLT Foundation, a UAE-based organization supporting the Kaia blockchain.

According to an announcement on Aug. 29, these mini dApps will be part of the Kaia Wave initiative, launched by the Kaia DLT Foundation to support Web3 developers. The Kaia DLT Foundation was established as an independent body following a merger between two notable blockchain projects from LINE and South Korean tech company Kakao. Its role is to oversee the governance and management of the layer-1 EVM-based Kaia blockchain, which merges LINE’s Finschia blockchain and Kakao’s Klaytn blockchain.

Kaia Wave was unveiled alongside the mainnet launch of the Kaia chain. This blockchain network is integrated with Kakao’s Kakaotalk platform and LINE’s messaging app, collectively serving over 250 million users.

The Kaia Wave initiative aims to incentivize developers to create mini dApps tailored for LINE’s extensive user base in countries like Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. Developers will utilize Kaia’s NEXT WEB software development kit to build these mini dApps, which will be launched within the LINE Messenger.

LINE NEXT and Developer Collaboration

The foundation is working with LINE NEXT, the Web3 unit of LINE Corporation, as part of the builders program. Young-su Ko, CEO of LINE NEXT, stated, β€œThrough the Kaia Wave project, LINE NEXT will focus on delivering a more efficient Web3 platform for builders and improving accessibility and convenience for users.”

Following Industry Trends

LINE plans to leverage the growing trend of integrating blockchain-based applications directly within messaging platforms. This trend was initiated by its competitor, Telegram, which introduced support for β€˜Telegram Mini Apps’ in 2023. Telegram later enabled developers to integrate these applications with The Open Network blockchain.

Telegram’s popularity increased with the introduction of play-to-earn games that reward users with tokens launched on the TON blockchain. Projects like NotCoin and Hamster Kombat have attracted millions of users. The messaging app also introduced a mini app store to facilitate access to the Web3 space for its approximately 950 million users.

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