SBI Group, a Japanese financial services company, is planning to issue non-fungible tokens (NFTs) built on XRP Ledger at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The NFTs, featuring the official character of the Expo, “MYAKU-MYAKU,” will be given away to attendees during the event, which is set to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025. These tokens will have no cash value and cannot be bought or sold, but will have proof of authenticity. Visitors can obtain NFTs by completing missions at the Expo and using the Expo mobile payments system.
While SBI Group moves ahead with plans to distribute NFTs at the 2025 World Expo, some American companies are less enthusiastic about the NFT market. PayPal recently announced that it will be removing NFT purchases from its purchase protection program starting from May 20. This decision comes amidst a decline in NFT trading, with GameStop also shutting down its NFT marketplace in January due to regulatory uncertainty in the cryptocurrency space. Data shows that the number of active wallets involved in NFT trading has been decreasing over the past year.
The World Expo 2025 in Osaka is set to be a crypto-friendly event, with Osaka Digital Exchange Co. planning to introduce Japan’s first-ever digital securities trading in 2023. The Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX) aims to revolutionize the country’s financial landscape by offering digital securities trading, with security tokens issued by real estate firms like Ichigo Inc. and Kenedix Inc. available for trading on the platform. This move towards digital securities trading highlights Japan’s growing interest in and acceptance of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
The NFT market has faced challenges in recent years, with declining trading volumes and regulatory uncertainties impacting the industry. Despite these challenges, SBI Group’s decision to issue NFTs at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka demonstrates the company’s commitment to exploring new technologies and engaging with the growing interest in digital assets. As the Expo approaches, attendees can look forward to receiving exclusive NFTs as part of their experience, adding a unique and innovative element to the event.
The distribution of NFTs at the World Expo 2025 is a significant development in the NFT space, as it marks a major event where such tokens will be given away to millions of visitors. The NFTs will be minted on the XRP Ledger, adding an additional layer of security and authenticity to the tokens. As interest in NFTs continues to grow, events like the World Expo 2025 provide a platform for showcasing the potential of blockchain technology and digital assets, while also offering attendees a unique and memorable experience through exclusive NFT giveaways.
