In a move that could reshape how millions interact with Web3 technology, blockchain investment firm Hashed and its technology arm ShardLab have partnered with Naver Pay, South Korea’s leading mobile payment platform. ShardLab, established for the purpose of R&D collaboration between Hashed and Thailand’s SCBX, will provide the core blockchain infrastructure for this integration. The partnership debuts at DAN24, Naver’s annual technology conference, marking the first large-scale implementation of NFT utility at a mainstream Korean conference.
This integration comes at a pivotal time when traditional tech giants are exploring Web3 applications beyond cryptocurrency speculation. Naver Pay’s deployment marks a significant milestone in bringing Web3 technology to mainstream users in South Korea, potentially setting a precedent for how digital assets can be seamlessly integrated into everyday services.
“This collaboration with Naver Pay represents a significant milestone in accelerating the practical implementation and mass adoption of Web3 technology,” said Simon Kim, CEO of Hashed. “Through technical advisory and business collaboration, we will focus on developing user-friendly Web3 infrastructure.”
Through the combined efforts of Hashed, ShardLab, and Naver Pay, admission tickets were represented as digital art in Naver Pay’s digital wallet, also serving as a POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) for activity authentication and prize draw entries.
“DAN24 marks our first step in bringing NFT technology to Naver Pay Wallet, following the growing trend of NFT adoption in major events, concerts, and ticketing,” said Mi-young Lee, Head of Pay Infrastructure and Business at Naver Pay. “We will continue to work with leading Web3 companies to pioneer innovative digital experiences.”
DAN24’s integrated Web3 solution leverages ShardLab’s proprietary NFT airdrop API and smart contract architecture, enabling seamless integration with existing infrastructure. Unlike traditional Web3 applications that require separate wallets and complicated onboarding, users can access NFT features directly through their existing Naver Pay accounts.
“We’re honored to have been able to provide this unique experience to DAN24 attendees,” said Hojin Kim, CEO of ShardLab. “This collaboration underscores the technical maturity and practical potential that Web3 holds, redefining possibilities for widespread adoption in the digital landscape.”
Naver’s approach of integrating digital assets directly within its existing platform, rather than launching standalone blockchain initiatives, could prove more effective for mass adoption. Naver Pay, which processes over $13 billion in transactions quarterly, provides a massive potential testbed for future Web3 integrations, positing South Korea as the Asia tech hub for pioneering digital asset adoption.
