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| The logo for Levvels' digital collectable platform, Momentica / Courtesy of Levvels |
By Lee Min-hyung
Dunamu and HYBE are set to launch Momentica, a "digital collectibles platform," through their joint venture Levvels, by the end of this month.
Users can buy and sell their digital cards of HYBE's globally popular artists through the online trading platform. They can also store their digital cards safely via the Levvels Blockchain, which is powered by the low-carbon-emission blockchain Luniverse, developed by Dunamu's blockchain research subsidiary Lambda 256.
"Momentica will develop into a digital playground platform where fans and artists can communicate in a whole new way," Levvels Chief Operating Officer Jang Sung-chan said. "The platform will also diversify fandom experiences by introducing a series of entertainment factors ― such as a photo card collection and decorations. We will also expand the service areas into not just art, but also entertainment, games and sports."
The two companies did not share when exactly the platform will be available for users, but Dunamu said it should make its official debut sometime by the end of October.
Levvels will hold a special promotional event before the launch of Momentica, offering digital cards of K-pop idols ― such as Seventeen, Fromis 9 and Le Sserafim ― for free on a first come, first served basis.
Users can enjoy artists' unreleased photos, voices and visual content by collecting the digital cards offered by Momentica. They can also display and trade them with other users on the platform.
Dunamu and HYBE established the joint venture in the United States in May, as part of efforts to expand their revenue streams into fresh non-fungible token (NFT) business areas. Dunamu has bet on the rapid rise of the digital fandom economy, and decided to combine that notion with NFTs through the partnership with HYBE.
Earlier, Dunamu CEO Lee Sirgoo also expressed high hopes for the NFT trading platform, identifying it as the firm's next major growth area amid the continued cryptocurrency doldrums here and abroad. Dunamu is the operator of Upbit, Korea's dominant crypto exchange.
Dunamu will offer blockchain technologies for the joint venture, and HYBE, one of Korea's largest music labels managing K-pop superstar group BTS, is set to provide intellectual property from its roster of artists under the partnership.
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