South Korea's IPX will roll out a Web3‑based minicoin payment option for LINE FRIENDS merchandise online and offline, targeting a phased launch in the first half of 2027.
Seoul‑based digital IP entertainment firm IPX, the rebranded name of LINE FRIENDS, announced it will introduce a blockchain‑based payment option called “minicoin” for both online and offline LINE FRIENDS stores. The rollout is scheduled for a phased launch during the first half of 2027 and will initially cover locations in South Korea before expanding to the brand’s global network.
Minicoin is a utility token created by Mini Labs under a license from IPX to use the company’s popular “minini” character IP. According to The Daily Hodl, the token’s blockchain ecosystem records fan interactions—such as creation, consumption, and transactions—and links them to registration and settlement processes. By integrating this token into the checkout flow, IPX aims to make digital‑asset payments a seamless extension of the fan experience, allowing customers to buy physical products with a crypto‑native method.
IPX officials say the initiative reflects a broader strategy to turn character IP into a digital commerce platform. As Crypto Daily notes, the company has spent more than a decade building its brand through products, content, and pop‑up experiences across 18 markets. By adding a Web3 payment layer, IPX hopes to deepen engagement, especially among international fans who already frequent its flagship K‑POP SQUARE venue in Seoul, which attracted over one million visitors—80% of them from abroad—in its first year.
If successful, the minicoin service could serve as a template for other IP‑driven retailers seeking to blend physical merchandise with blockchain payments. The move aligns with growing global adoption of digital assets for everyday transactions, a trend highlighted by both source articles. However, the rollout remains a pilot; the phased approach will allow IPX to assess demand, regulatory considerations, and technical performance before a full‑scale launch.
Investors and industry observers should monitor IPX’s pilot results, particularly user adoption rates and any regulatory feedback in key markets such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union. Additional announcements about partnerships with payment processors or expansions to new retail formats will also indicate how quickly the minicoin model could scale beyond the LINE FRIENDS ecosystem.
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