Animoca Brands, a Hong Kong-based game software company, has announced partnering with Darewise, a leader in metaverse technology, to launch the new OPAL Protocol, marking its entry into the Bitcoin ecosystem.
This collaboration aims to transform gaming, education, and cultural experiences by creating the "largest Web3 ecosystem" on the Bitcoin blockchain.
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Animoca's co-founder, Yat Siu, noted that with the introduction of Ordinals, Bitcoin has transitioned from merely a means of storing value to a cultural repository. He added:
Building up our presence on the Bitcoin chain through the exciting work of the OPAL Protocol will help to advance our vision of an open metaverse in which all people have the opportunity to enjoy digital property rights and benefit from the power of network effects.
The OPAL Protocol presents itself as a decentralized Bitcoin ecosystem that blends virtual and real-world experiences, forming a "digital extension of reality." Though not yet launched, it has already attracted over 275,000 followers on X, indicating solid community interest.
The company has also announced that six of its portfolio companies have become Genesis members of the Opal ecosystem.
Moreover, all future Bitcoin-based projects from Animoca will collaborate with the Opal Foundation.
As part of this venture, Animoca has also introduced the BLIF token, which will be the Opal Protocol Runes token crafted to enable a "true digital life" on Bitcoin.
The dates for the launch of the protocol and the BLIF airdrop will be disclosed later.
This collaboration is expected to bridge Animoca's vision into reality, enabling a broader adoption and integration of Bitcoin into everyday digital interactions.
The announcement of this venture coincides with the debut of spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in Hong Kong, which began trading on April 30, marking a growing regional interest in crypto innovations.