BlockchainSpace partners with Smart to explore Web3-powered solutions, drive further adoption

MANILA, Philippines, 17 May 2023—BlockchainSpace, the leading Web3 community enabler in Southeast Asia, has recently announced in a press conference its partnership with Smart Communications, the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines, to explore Web3-powered solutions that connect communities, unlock new opportunities, and drive growth for all stakeholders.

The panel consisting of Dexter Chan, Smart AVP for Content Business Development; Peter Ing, BlockchainSpace founder and CEO; Lloyd Manaloto, Smart FVP and Head of Prepaid and Content; and Aspen Sañez, BlockchainSpace global head of marketing, answer questions from the media.

The partnership marks a major milestone for Web3 adoption in the Philippines and beyond, according to Peter Ing, CEO of BlockchainSpace. He further described the collaboration as an indication of continued growth in enterprise interest in contributing to a Web3-enabled future.

“Filipinos have been at the forefront of utilizing Web3 since the peak of the pandemic. With millions already owning crypto wallets and participating in GameFi, the Philippines has consistently been one of the leaders of Web3 adoption in Southeast Asia. Through this partnership, BlockchainSpace and Smart will continue to build on that foundation by enabling more communities to connect in a truly open, meaningful and secure manner,” Ing said.

“This partnership aligns with Smart’s mission to empower FIlipinos with the latest digital innovations so they can live more today,” said Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart. He added that the company has always been an early adopter of the latest technology and is constantly on the lookout for programs that appeal to the passions of its subscribers, which it can turn into more immersive experiences.

“By leveraging the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, as recognized by Ookla, and the country’s widest 5G network, we believe that Smart is in the best position to unlock the value of Web3 in tandem with BlockchainSpace to benefit more Filipinos through accessibility and connectivity,” Manaloto said.

Empowering communities 

BlockchainSpace traces its roots to the city of Makati in 2018 when its founder and CEO successfully organized over a hundred in-person gatherings of various Web3 investors and founders to help grow the crypto industry in the region. The company has since evolved into a Web3 solutions provider that powers Southeast Asia’s communities with more than just blockchain technology. 

Since 2020, BlockchainSpace has empowered over 100 communities and raised $20 million from top investors, including Animoca Brands, Spartan Group, and Crypto.com Capital. To further enable communities to thrive in the space, BlockchainSpace provides guild leaders, gamers, creators, and everyone in between with blockchain solutions as well as trademark community programs such as the Guild Partner Program and Creator Circle. 

The Creator Circle, which will soon be publicly launched for creators in tandem with Smart, already has more than 150 creator sign ups regionally–amounting to an aggregate following of more than 20M across all social networks despite only being in closed beta. This program was introduced to empower those within the creator economy, an emerging type of market which connects creators to their fans and brands and allows the creator to monetize their content, output, or skills all while building a community.

DICT Director Emmy Lou Delfin (middle) and Project Development Officer III Carlos Albornoz (fifth from left) join the executives of BlockchainSpace and Smart during the press conference announcing the partnership.

The Creator Circle is a natural progression for BlockchainSpace as it enables the company to utilize its successes and lessons from supporting gaming guilds and extend similar tools, support, and opportunities to creators, artists, and influencers, explained Aspen Sañez, Global Head of Marketing at BlockchainSpace. By teaming up with Smart, which has an established network and history of impactful engagements with artists and their fan groups, BlockchainSpace will be able to maximize the capabilities of and establish a solid roster in Creator Circle. 

“BlockchainSpace is thrilled to have Smart on board for the roll out of the Creator Circle in the Philippines as we eventually branch out the program in the Southeast Asia region. We’re very excited to share this with creators and brands to help them derive the best value with their respective communities, using Web3 technology,” Sañez said. 

“We could not have found a better partner in venturing into a Web3-enabled creator economy than BlockchainSpace, which has the expertise and experience when it comes to Web3 gaming and supporting guilds. With our concerted efforts, we are confident on translating things positively in the Creator Circle,” added Dexter Chan, Assistant Vice President for Content Business Development at Smart. 

Aside from the Creator Circle, Filipinos can look forward to more initiatives from BlockchainSpace and Smart that will help unlock the full potential of Web3 for all. The two companies are working closely together to deliver exciting new programs and innovative solutions that would continue to empower communities to scale sustainably and benefit from Web3. Stay tuned for announcements and updates via their social media pages and websites: blockchainspace.asia and smart.com.ph. 

About BlockchainSpace 

BlockchainSpace started off as a physical space in Makati City Philippines, where its founder Peter Ing successfully organized over a hundred in-person gatherings and meet-ups of various Web3 evangelists, investors, and founders to help grow the crypto industry in the region. Today, BlockchainSpace powers Southeast Asia’s communities with blockchain technology to provide secure and transparent community management, fostering trust and loyalty among its user base. Its solution suite includes WE3, a community management platform, trademark community programs such as the Guild Partner Program and Creator Circle. Since 2020, BlockchainSpace has empowered over 100 communities and raised $20M from top investors, including Animoca Brands, CoinGecko and Crypto.com Capital. 

About Smart 

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is a wholly-owned wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, Inc., the Philippines’ largest and only integrated telecommunications company. Smart serves approximately 97% of the country’s population with its combined 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G network*, providing mobile communications services, high-speed internet connectivity, and access to digital services and content to over 65 million Filipinos, supporting the country’s growing digital economy, and providing the best customer experience for an increasingly digital Filipino lifestyle.