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, boasting 80 million users. The company is performing well, earning $7 million in profit last year while competing with other major messaging apps like Line, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger. The app has grown beyond South Korea and is now used in several countries, including Japan, Spain, and the United States. It is also 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 Kaia 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 new Kaia DLT Foundation oversees 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, major players in Asian gaming. We’ll compare TON and Kaia, explore how these platforms stack up, and discover how Telegram and Kakao Games approach GameFi.

What is Kaia Blockchain and How Does it Connect to Kakao?

Kaia is a new Layer-1 blockchain platform created by Kakao and Line, two of Asia’s most popular messaging apps. 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 integrate 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 focused 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 fail 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. This ecosystem allows people to confidently manage their digital information and conduct economic activities independently of traditional platforms.

How Kakao Became a Gaming Giant: Kaia Blockchain Integration

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. This has allowed for 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. These campaigns 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 vital 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 simultaneously.

Comparing Kakao/Kaia and Telegram/TON

The concept of Kaia closely mirrors TON, the app development network linked 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 displays 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 speed and handling numerous transactions, while Kaia aims to be user-friendly and work well with current services. Looking ahead, both platforms could reshape Web3 usage, yet they’re taking different paths. Kakao/Kaia aims to enable its Asian users to explore Web3 services, while Telegram/TON is creating a worldwide network of apps accessible to everyone.

Kakao’s growth in gaming presents both exciting possibilities and challenges. The company is thriving in Asia, but it must figure out how to appeal to Western gamers with diverse preferences and apps. They’re also integrating blockchain features into their games while adhering to strict regulations across various regions. As they expand their features and player base, maintaining smooth and enjoyable gameplay remains a top priority.

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 integrates 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, enhancing the social aspect of gaming.

The Kaia blockchain platform elevates gaming by enabling various decentralized applications. These range from play-to-earn games with cryptocurrency rewards to NFT marketplaces for digital asset trading. The platform also supports financial applications like decentralized exchanges and lending platforms, offering a comprehensive ecosystem for both gaming and digital finance.

Users can earn cryptocurrency in the Kakao ecosystem through multiple avenues, such as participating in airdrops, staking KLAY tokens, and utilizing 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 advantageous. This strategy 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:

1. Download the GeeLark app and create an account.

2. Create a cloud phone profile and assign a proxy to provide a unique IP address.

3. Navigate to the Applications section and install KakaoTalk on your cloud phone profile.