Chiru Labs, the company behind popular NFT collections Azuki and Beanz, has forged a strategic partnership with IPX, a digital IP platform formerly known as Line Friends. This collaboration marks IPX’s first foray into the Web3 space, and both companies will leverage their expertise to create co-branded content and merchandise for their fans and holders.
Line Friends is a well-known brand featuring charming original characters, including Cony the Rabbit, Brown the Bear, and Sally the Chick. Initially created as stickers for Line messaging app users to utilize in their chats, the characters have since become an iconic merchandise brand offering clothing, accessories, household items, and toys. In addition, Line Friends has opened retail stores and cafes worldwide that showcase their iconic characters and themed products.
Chiru Labs announced that it will commence its collaboration with IPX via Beanz and Line Friends, potentially extending the partnership to other intellectual properties within their portfolios. To celebrate their newly formed partnership, a unique animation showcasing the collaboration between Line Characters and Beanz will be displayed on the billboard above the LINE Friends store in Times Square throughout NFT NYC, which takes place from April 12 to April 16.
Chiru Labs, known for its Azuki NFT collection, has generated a trading volume of 470,994 ETH (approximately $1.6 billion as of August 2022) since its launch in January 2022. The company also pioneered “physically backed tokens,” raising $2.5 million through NFT-backed golden skateboards.
To celebrate the partnership with IPX, LINE FRIENDS kigus will be available for BEANZ holders. By equipping BEANZ with a LINE FRIENDS Kigu and sharing it on Twitter with the hashtag #BEANZKigu before April 16th, holders will receive a unique badge on their Collector’s Profile.
Zagabond, the CEO and founder of Chiru Labs, stated that the partnership between Beanz and Line Friends is an exceptional collaboration that combines web2 and Web3 IP. “We are excited to collaborate with IPX, which is a global leader in building innovative character IP brands beloved by millions of fans worldwide,” states Zagabond in a press release. “IP is evolving, and we see the Web3 community as an integral part of this next wave.”
The collaboration between Azuki and Line Friends, facilitated by Chiru Labs and IPX, marks a significant milestone in connecting Line’s vast user base with the world of global Web3 media and characters. IPX has previously collaborated with leading companies such as Samsung, Starbucks, Meta, and Vans, and this new partnership is another significant step in the evolution of the Web3 industry.
IPX’s entry into the Web3 space presents a unique opportunity for the company to build upon its existing brand and grow through the integration of blockchain technology. The potential for new revenue streams and increased brand awareness is a significant factor in attracting traditional businesses to the Web3 space.
As the Web3 space continues to grow and evolve, the integration of traditional business models with blockchain technology will become increasingly common. Chiru Labs and IPX’s partnership serves as a great example of how traditional brands can enter the space, leveraging their existing fan base and expertise to create something truly unique and impactful.
In conclusion, Chiru Labs and IPX’s partnership represents an exciting development in the Web3 space. The co-branded content and merchandise created through this collaboration will undoubtedly be highly sought after by both Azuki and Line Friends fans and collectors. With IPX’s expertise and Chiru Labs’ innovation, we can only expect to see more exciting developments emerge in the future of Web3.
