Key Takeaways
- Crypto.com’s payment solution, Crypto.com Pay, will be integrated into Nexpace’s Web3 gaming ecosystem.
- NEXPACE has expanded its iconic MapleStory franchise with MapleStory Universe, a new expansive Web3 ecosystem.
- Sun Young Hwang, NEXPACE CEO Sun, said early signs of player retention for its new blockchain-focused release had been positive.
Crypto.com has announced that its checkout and payment solution will be integrated into NEXPACE’s gaming ecosystem, the Web3 subsidiary of NEXON.
NEXPACE, responsible for overseeing NEXON’s recently released MapleStory Universe, stated that the integration will allow players to make “seamless, secure payments using cryptocurrencies” across its current and upcoming games.
Crypto.com Pay Integration
On Friday, May 30, the leading crypto exchange signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NEXPACE.
The new partnership will see Crypto.com Pay, the exchange’s checkout solution, integrated into NEXON’s leading titles.
It also aims to explore new experiences such as customer rewards programs and NFT strategies.
NEXPACE said the partnership will “transform the future of digital gaming and marketing,” and highlights the “growing convergence between Web3 gaming and real-world payment infrastructure.”
“We are thrilled to partner with a forward-thinking innovator like NEXPACE that shares our vision of the power of digital payments,” said Eric Anziani, President and COO at Crypto.com.
“Integrating Crypto.com Pay into NEXPACE’s ecosystem represents a major milestone in providing seamless payment infrastructure to the next generation of gamers,” Anziani added.
MapleStory Goes Web3
Launched in 2003, MapleStory quickly became a global phenomenon, attracting millions with its vibrant 2D graphics and engaging gameplay.
The game was an early pioneer of the free-to-play model and has amassed over 180 million registered users, generating more than $4 billion in revenue.
On May 15, NEXON transitioned its iconic MMORPG, MapleStory, into the Web3 realm with the release of MapleStory N.
Built on Avalanche’s Henesys Layer 1 network, the game combines classic 2D side-scrolling gameplay with Web3 features, including NFT-based items and a decentralized economy.
Blockchain Skeptics
The potential risk of alienating long-time fans of the franchise has not been lost on NEXPACE CEO Sun Young Hwang.
In a recent interview with CCN, Hwang said:
“We’re aware that there is palpable skepticism around blockchain and Web3 in the traditional gaming space, and we were prepared to face some hesitation from members of our community who are particularly protective of MSU’s classic IP.”
However, according to the CEO, early signs of the introduction of tokenomics are resonating with players.
Hwang said Genesis Phase playtests attracted over half a million players, with a strong retention rate of 45–47%.
“To truly break into the mainstream, the industry needs to focus on fun gameplay, seamless user experience, and sustainable game economies, refining the image of Web3 gaming from small-scale tech demonstrations to fully-fledged, immersive gaming experiences,” says Hwang.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
