The Avalanche blockchain has recently achieved a significant milestone, crossing the 1 million daily transaction mark twice in a single week. This landmark event was observed on June 1st and June 7th, marking the first time this occurred since February 2024. Blockchain analytics firm Nansen also reported a remarkable surge in transactions during the week starting June 2nd, reaching an impressive 5.8 million total, the highest weekly figure seen since early 2024. The driving force behind this activity is attributed to MapleStory Universe, a Web3 gaming ecosystem built on Avalanche, which launched its first game, MapleStory N, on May 15th.
The rise in activity can be traced back to the success of MapleStory Universe and its integration into the gaming community. This successful launch has been fueled by the nostalgia associated with the original MapleStory, a popular online role-playing game that resonated with gamers during the 2000s and early 2010s. The Web3 iteration of this classic franchise focuses on fostering social interactions, building communities, and exploring virtual economies within the game.
MapleStory’s return to prominence has been significant, leading to increased activity in the gaming world as well as a surge in interest for Avalanche.
The launch of MapleStory Universe also introduced the main currency of the ecosystem: Nexpace Coin (NXPC). While NXPC witnessed a significant initial price rise, it subsequently fell by 64% following its all-time high of $3.77 shortly after launch. This decline was followed by a period of gradual growth and accumulation for the platform, with notable contributions from projects like Off The Grid (GUNZ subnet).
Nexon, the developer behind MapleStory, has taken advantage of this momentum to further amplify excitement around the franchise. As of June 9th, Avalanche holds approximately 1,717 Bitcoin, acquired in April 2021 and held ever since. The platform’s success is a testament to the potential of blockchain technology to enhance traditional gaming experiences.