Becoming a Hub for Web3 Solutions
Could you explain Monex Group's business and its initiatives related to Web3?
Atsushi Mandai (Mandai): Monex Group comprises businesses like Monex Securities and TradeStation, which are online brokerage services, as well as Coincheck, a cryptocurrency exchange, and 3iQ, a crypto asset management company.
Through these businesses, Monex Group naturally gathers significant information about Web3. Additionally, we have connections with companies interested in Web3 initiatives and those offering Web3-related solutions. Leveraging this position, we realized Monex Group could act as a hub to provide Web3 support services for corporate clients.
Could you share your roles within the Monex Group?
Mandai: I am the head of "Zero Room," a department within Monex Group established to create new businesses, not limited to the Web3 domain. Recently, we've focused on Web3 due to its potential to transform the financial industry, and we are dedicating significant resources to this area.
Hiroshi Asami (Asami): Within Zero Room, I oversee Web3-related new business initiatives. My responsibilities mainly cover two areas.
The first is the metaverse urban development project OASIS, which was transferred to Zero Room from Coincheck last year. Building a city requires both hardware (infrastructure) and software (communities and content). We’ve been constructing cities in multiple metaverses like The Sandbox, Decentraland, and Fortnite, while also operating Web3 communities as the "software" aspect.
The second area involves leveraging the know-how gained from OASIS to offer Web3 Support Services. We provide comprehensive support for companies launching Web3 projects, from planning to community management, down to specific tasks like configuring Discord servers.
What sparked your interest in Web3?
Mandai: Around 2016, there was frequent discussion within Monex Group about Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin white paper. I decided to buy some Bitcoin myself. My interest grew as I observed the rise of ICOs, platforms like VALU, and CryptoKitties. After Coincheck joined the group, I even started experimenting with writing smart contracts in Solidity, further deepening my engagement with Web3.
Asami: For me, it started around 2018. At the time, I worked at a startup where people were naturally drawn to new technologies. I often heard discussions about Bitcoin, such as "I bought some Bitcoin," or "Its price has gone up." While I wasn’t initially interested in crypto assets, I became intrigued as I learned more, thinking, "This could be an amazing technology." That curiosity led me to experiment with it, which became my entry point.
How did you become involved with the OASIS metaverse project?
Asami: At the time, Coincheck’s new business development team believed that diversifying revenue streams beyond exchange operations was essential. They anticipated significant growth in community-based businesses driven by token holders. This led to the launch of OASIS, a project combining the metaverse with NFTs to explore the potential of community businesses.
Since I had prior experience at a startup, I felt I could leverage my skills within Coincheck’s new business initiatives, leading to my involvement in OASIS.
Could you elaborate on your Web3 support services for businesses?
Asami: Within OASIS, we’ve hosted events like virtual concerts by renowned artist MIYAVI and events featuring Kiko Mizuhara. We also held the OASIS TOKYO × The Sandbox Creator Contest, integrating submitted creations into the metaverse city. This has allowed us to collaborate with numerous 3D creators and co-develop OASIS.
Additionally, community members have initiated weekly radio broadcasts, formed teams to participate in external contests, and built a vibrant community. Some members even transitioned into Web3-related careers through their involvement in the OASIS community, experiencing significant life changes.
The know-how we’ve gained from managing such communities is invaluable for other companies entering the Web3 space. We help businesses design and operate thriving communities, collaborate with the right partners, and develop strategies for NFT issuance and marketing. By sharing these insights, we aim to support successful Web3 projects for our corporate clients.
