Machi Out, Franklin Rugged, but Azuki’s Strategy Pays Off

Jade Gao

Azuki has recently collaborated with IPX, the creator of the beloved LINE FRIENDS characters. Together, they plan to offer engaging content, real-life experiences, and merchandise, creating immersive metaverse experiences. This partnership has boosted both the BEANZ and Azuki collections, registering a considerable uptick in volume, traders, and sales. 

Last week, the NFT space experienced some minor hiccups with two prominent influencers, Machi Big Brother and Franklin, announcing unfavorable news. Machi Big Brother has decided to step away from the NFT world, while Franklin has faced a rug pull, forcing him to sell a significant number of his Bored Ape Yacht Club collection.

Machi Franklin Tweet

Despite these incidents, it’s essential to recognize that the NFT industry is far from faltering. In fact, it continues to thrive and evolve as projects and teams work tirelessly to build a healthier ecosystem.

BEANZ and IPX partnership boosts key metrics for the NFT collection

Chiru Labs, known for popular NFT collections Azuki and Beanz, has partnered with IPX, the firm behind the LINE FRIENDS characters. LINE FRIENDS has become a popular South Korean brand, based on stickers from the LINE social media app. This collaboration focuses on creating engaging content and immersive experiences, combining the strengths of both teams and communities.

The partnership has positively impacted the BEANZ collection, with notable growth in its key metrics. Over the past seven days, it has witnessed a 55.73% increase in volume, a 49.5% rise in traders, and a 35.6% boost in sales. 

BEANZ NFT

Moreover, the collaboration’s benefits extend beyond the BEANZ collection, as it also contributes to Azuki’s overall ecosystem. The positive ripple effect of the partnership is evident, as Azuki also has seen impressive data performance. 

The collection’s trading volume has surged by 41.01%, reaching $22.1 million, while the floor price has climbed by 15.59% to almost $32,000. 

Azuki NFT

Azuki’s recipe for success

Azuki has already made a significant impact on the NFT space. According to DappRadar, this anime-inspired collection boasts a trading volume of approximately $1.15 billion since its launch in January 2022. 

Once highly sought-after blue-chip NFTs like Cool Cats, Doodles, and Moonbirds have seen their floor prices stumble recently. Yet, Azuki alone continues its steady upward journey. So what strategies did Azuki employ to sustain its remarkable momentum? 

Let’s explore their winning formula.

Engaging passionate communities 

A key contributor to Azuki’s success is its expertise in brand building, which centers on identifying and engaging passionate communities. One such community Azuki has consistently nurtured is the skateboarder community, known for its deep engagement, distinctive culture, and tight-knit connections among members.

Similarly, the partnership with LINE exemplifies Azuki’s targeted approach to brand expansion. Although LINE might not have the same extensive user base as Telegram, WhatsApp, or WeChat, its 224 million users, including 169 million in key markets such as Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand, are known for their loyalty and enthusiasm. 

In comparison to other messaging apps, LINE’s users exhibit a higher level of engagement, eagerly participating in the platform’s offline events. By collaborating with LINE, Azuki connects with a devoted audience that complements its brand-building objectives.

LINE FRIENDS Store in Hong Kong

Innovating with Physical Backed Tokens 

Innovation also plays a crucial role in Azuki’s brand strategy, as demonstrated by the development of Physical Backed Tokens (PBTs). PBTs offer a revolutionary method for authenticating and tracking the ownership of physical objects on the blockchain. 

Azuki’s first PBT initiative involved skateboards, highlighting its dedication to connecting with pop culture, trends, and fashion enthusiasts. With the partnership, there is potential for LINE’s merchandise to become PBTs as well, further expanding Azuki’s reach. 

In summary, Azuki’s partnership with IPX showcases their clear goals in terms of branding, community building, and business model, as they strive to unite the virtual and physical worlds through cutting-edge NFTs. 

As a standout player in the NFT space, Azuki has seen its floor price surpass established projects. This success indicates that Azuki’s project development progress not only meets but also exceeds its community members’ expectations.

Check out the list of NFT sales highlights

N.B. Dollar values given are correct at the time of sale.

Every week, DappRadar highlights not only the most expensive NFT sales but also the most interesting in the previous seven days. While huge numbers are sure to capture headlines, it’s also essential to highlight emerging trends and keep the DappRadar community ahead.