What Is Kaia: The New Blockchain Platform by Kakao and Line
Korean mobile gamers spent nearly $3 billion in the first half of 2024
KakaoTalk is the most popular messaging app in South Korea with 80 million users. The company is doing well, earning $7 million in profit last year while competing with other big messaging apps like Line, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger. The app has grown beyond South Korea and is now used in several other countries including Japan, Spain, and the United States. It’s gaining popularity in Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, where it competes mainly with LINE, a messaging app from Japan.
In a significant development for the blockchain industry, LINE and Kakao have joined forces to create Kaia, a unified blockchain platform. This merger, completed on August 29, 2024, brings together LINE’s Finschia blockchain and Kakao’s Klaytn technology under one roof. The newly formed Kaia DLT Foundation will oversee this integrated platform, combining the strengths and governance structures of both original blockchains.
Telegram has found great success with its blockchain-based games. While Telegram is popular worldwide, let’s take a look at Kakao and Kaia, which is a major player in Asian gaming. Let’s compare TON and Kaia, explore how these platforms compare, and discover the ways Telegram and Kakao Games approach GameFi.
What is Kaia and How Does it Connect to Kakao?
Kaia is a new Layer-1 blockchain platform created by Kakao and Line, two of the most popular messaging apps in Asia. It was formed by merging Klaytn and Finschia, the blockchains previously developed by Kakao and Line, respectively.
Kaia aims to create a user-friendly and accessible Web3 ecosystem by leveraging the large user base of KakaoTalk and LINE. It will enable developers to build decentralized applications (dApps) that can be integrated directly within these messaging apps, making it easier for users to access and use Web3 services.
Kaia represents a groundbreaking collaboration between two major tech companies, combining LINE’s Finschia blockchain with Kakao’s Klaytn technology. Unlike many existing Web3 platforms that focus primarily on speculation and investment, Kaia aims to make blockchain technology accessible and practical for everyday use.
The platform addresses a significant gap in the current Web3 landscape, where many services have failed to gain user trust due to their speculative nature. Kaia’s mission is different – it focuses on creating sustainable blockchain services that anyone can use safely and easily, without needing to understand the complex technology behind it.
By prioritizing user experience over investor interests, Kaia is working to build a more inclusive Web3 ecosystem where people can confidently manage their digital information and conduct economic activities independently of traditional platforms.
How Kakao Became a Gaming Giant?
Kakao’s journey in the gaming industry is intrinsically linked to its messaging platform, KakaoTalk, which commands an impressive 93% market penetration in South Korea. This extensive user base has provided Kakao Games with a robust foundation for implementing in-messenger gaming features, creating a seamless integration between social communication and gaming entertainment.
The company’s strategic approach to growth has been marked by carefully cultivated partnerships with renowned global developers, including Ocean Drive Studio, Chrono Studio, Candy Digital, and METABORA. These collaborations have enabled Kakao to build a diverse gaming portfolio that emphasizes high-quality, narrative-driven experiences. Success stories like “Guardian Tales” and “Eversoul” stand as testament to this commitment to excellence.
Strategic Expansion into Southeast Asian Markets
Kakao’s expansion strategy has been particularly noteworthy in Southeast Asian markets, specifically Indonesia and Vietnam. The company’s methodical approach began with extensive testing in South Korea and Japan before launching its social gaming platform in these new markets. This expansion included the localization of various gaming titles, demonstrating Kakao’s commitment to cultural adaptation and market-specific customization.
The launch included five key games from different developers, each specially adapted for the Indonesian and Vietnamese markets. This move was supported by aggressive marketing strategies, including high-profile TV advertising campaigns that cleverly merged Korean pop culture with local entertainment elements, particularly in Indonesia.
Kakao is carefully stepping into blockchain gaming and GameFi. While other companies rush ahead, Kakao takes a more thoughtful approach, following South Korean rules and focusing on long-term success. Their tech team, Ground X, helps with important projects like the Bank of Korea’s digital money system.
Kakao uses modern tech like HTML5 and Cocos to make their games work smoothly. These tools help create fun games that don’t take up too much space or slow down your phone. This is perfect for games that work inside the messaging app.
The games now feel more like a social hangout spot. Players can chat with friends, join communities, and play together with thousands of other people at the same time.
Comparing Kakao/Kaia and Telegram/TON
From the information above, we can see that Kaia’s concept closely mirrors TON, the app development network closely tied to Telegram. In fact, Kakao and Kaia can be viewed as Asia’s parallel to Telegram and TON. Let’s compare these two pairs of messaging giants and their respective blockchain platforms:
Kakao/Kaia
- Kakao: A dominant messaging app in South Korea, with a strong focus on social media and digital services.
- Kaia: A Layer-1 blockchain platform, formed by the merger of Klaytn and Finschia. It aims to leverage Kakao’s user base to bring Web3 applications to a wider audience, particularly in Asia.
- Key strengths: Strong user base, integration with existing services, focus on the Asian market.
Telegram/TON
- Telegram: A global messaging app known for its security and privacy features, with a strong focus on community building.
- TON: A Layer-1 blockchain platform designed for speed and scalability, with a focus on decentralized applications and financial services.
- Key strengths: Global user base, strong technical foundation, emphasis on decentralization and privacy.
| Kakao/Kaia | Telegram/TON | |
| User Base | Primarily Asia-focused | Global user base |
| Platform Focus | Social media, digital services, Web3 | Messaging, decentralized applications, finance |
| Blockchain Technology | Layer-1 blockchain, EVM-compatible | Layer-1 blockchain, high-throughput, low-latency |
| Strategy | Leverage existing user base to drive Web3 adoption | Build a decentralized ecosystem of applications and services |
When compared to other platforms like Telegram’s gaming ecosystem, Kakao’s approach shows distinct characteristics influenced by Asian gaming preferences. While Telegram emphasizes individual freedom and open-world exploration, Kakao’s games often reflect Asian gaming culture’s focus on community, structured progression, and narrative depth.
Both platforms use advanced blockchain technology, but in different ways. TON focuses on being fast and handling lots of transactions, while Kaia aims to be easy to use and work well with current services. Looking ahead, both platforms could change how we use Web3, but they’re taking different paths. Kakao/Kaia wants to help its Asian users try Web3 services, while Telegram/TON is creating a worldwide network of apps that anyone can use.
Kakao’s growth in gaming brings both exciting possibilities and challenges ahead. The company is doing well in Asia but needs to figure out how to appeal to Western gamers who have different tastes and use different apps. They’re also working on adding blockchain features to their games while following strict rules in different countries. As they add more features and players, they need to make sure their games still run smoothly and are fun to play.
How to Get Started with GameFi and Blockchain Gaming in Kakao
Kakao’s gaming ecosystem combines traditional mobile gaming with blockchain technology through its Kaia platform. While KakaoTalk itself doesn’t have built-in games, it works seamlessly with Kakao Games to provide an engaging social gaming experience. Players can enjoy popular titles like Friends Pop and Friends Match-3 through the KakaoTalk platform, making gaming more social and interactive.
The Kaia blockchain platform takes gaming to the next level by enabling various decentralized applications. These range from play-to-earn games where players can earn cryptocurrency rewards to NFT marketplaces for trading digital assets. The platform also supports financial applications like decentralized exchanges and lending platforms, making it a comprehensive ecosystem for both gaming and digital finance.
Users can earn cryptocurrency through various means in the Kakao ecosystem. This includes participating in airdrops, staking KLAY tokens, and using decentralized applications. KakaoTalk serves as a gateway to these opportunities, connecting users with crypto communities and keeping them informed about new developments.
For those looking to maximize their gaming experience, managing multiple KakaoTalk accounts can be beneficial. This approach allows players to access account-specific rewards, participate in more events, and interact with different gaming communities. It also opens up opportunities for trading in-game items and resources, potentially enhancing the overall gaming experience.
How to Create Multiple Kakao Game IDs for More Earning Potentials
Creating and managing multiple KakaoTalk accounts can open up exciting opportunities. This strategic approach allows you to participate in a wider range of games, access diverse rewards, and engage with different gaming communities simultaneously. By maintaining separate accounts, you can also take advantage of account-specific events, promotions, and special offers.
GeeLark can help you manage multiple accounts easily. It’s the first antidetect phone service that lets you run different accounts on mobile phones hosted in the cloud. This makes it easy to play more games and earn more rewards. Here’s what you need to do:
- Download the GeeLark app and create an account.
- Create a cloud phone profile and assign a proxy to provide a unique IP address.
- Navigate to the Applications section and install KakaoTalk on your cloud phone profile.
- Set up as many KakaoTalk profiles as needed, ensuring each has a separate proxy for security.
- Use your Kakao accounts for your game login and explore new possibilities in Kaia GameFi