NEXPACE Launches $50M Fund for MapleStory Web3 Ecosystem

The $50 million Ecosystem Fund marks a pivotal step in NEXPACE’s mission to transform MapleStory Universe into what CEO Sunyoung Hwang describes as “a connected universe where digital finance, AI, and builder innovation together form the foundation of a sustainable, player-driven economy.” Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and operating as an affiliate of global gaming giant Nexon, NEXPACE plans to deploy capital strategically across adjacent sectors that strengthen ecosystem fundamentals. These include financial infrastructure, artificial intelligence, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and the builder economy, with all investments subject to rigorous internal project review and approval processes.

This initiative reflects a fundamental shift in how gaming ecosystems are conceptualized and built. Rather than focusing solely on gaming mechanics, NEXPACE aims to create what it calls an “open, self-sustaining Web3 platform” that addresses the operational and structural constraints that have historically limited traditional siloed blockchain game ecosystems. The fund’s deployment strategy emphasizes creating “real-world utility and sustainability”—core principles that NEXPACE believes are essential for the future of interactive entertainment.

Central to the Ecosystem Fund’s strategy is what NEXPACE describes as a “collaboration-first framework” that brings together strategic advisory partners with complementary expertise. The partnership roster includes Altos Ventures, Chainlink Labs, GSR, and Hashed Ventures—each selected for their specific capabilities in venture capital, blockchain infrastructure, and ecosystem development. These partners will engage as strategic collaborators rather than mere capital contributors, providing insight, mentorship, and network support to help identify opportunities and guide early-stage projects.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed with these partners emphasize ecosystem value creation over capital contribution, fully aligning with NEXPACE’s long-term ecosystem goals. This approach recognizes that sustainable Web3 ecosystem development requires more than financial investment—it demands strategic guidance, technical expertise, and network effects that can accelerate growth across global blockchain and entertainment markets. The partners’ collective experience spans multiple blockchain cycles and gaming innovations, positioning them to help NEXPACE navigate the complex intersection of gaming, finance, and technology.

At the operational core of MapleStory Universe’s Web3 transformation is the NXPC token, which serves as the backbone of the ecosystem’s economic infrastructure. The ecosystem empowers players through true asset ownership, decentralized marketplaces, and community-driven platforms known as Synergy Apps. This infrastructure supports what NEXPACE calls its ‘Infinite IP Playground’ vision, where the legacy MapleStory intellectual property is continuously reimagined through player experimentation and builder creativity.

A key innovation within this ecosystem is Metaplay, a concept that allows participants direct access to core game narratives such as item enhancement and trading across web and mobile interfaces. This enables seamless participation and cross-IP innovation, breaking down traditional barriers between different gaming experiences. Beyond vertical expansion around MapleStory N, the ecosystem encourages the community to explore entirely new ways of experiencing the MapleStory IP, unlocking novel forms of play and interaction that transcend traditional gaming boundaries.

The Ecosystem Fund is positioned to play what CEO Sunyoung Hwang describes as a “pivotal role in anchoring MSU’s ongoing expansion initiatives to herald the next phase of the next-generation IP ecosystem.” By combining gaming, digital finance, and AI under one collaborative umbrella, NEXPACE aims to set new standards for what a sustainable Web3 universe can achieve, creating what the company envisions as “a dynamic, player-driven economy where gaming, technology and creativity converge to define the next generation of digital entertainment.”