Digital IP entertainment company IPX (formerly LINE FRIENDS) plans to introduce a ‘minicoin’ payment service across LINE FRIENDS online and offline stores — connecting fans’ engagement with character IP directly to the point of purchase, and linking IPX’s commerce to a Web3-based digital ecosystem.
The service is designed to make digital asset payments a seamless extension of the fan experience. A phased rollout is targeted for the first half of 2027, giving customers in Korea and abroad an additional way to purchase physical products using minicoin.
A New Model for Digital IP Commerce
For more than a decade, IPX has brought its character IPs to life through products, content, and pop-ups, extending those experiences across online and offline channels worldwide. The new service builds on that IP and retail expertise, introducing a digital IP commerce model that integrates digital asset payment technology directly into IP merchandise purchases.
What Is minicoin?
Minicoin is a utility coin developed and issued by Mini Labs under an official license from IPX to use its globally popular ‘minini’ character IP. Its blockchain-based ecosystem aims to transparently record activity generated through interactions between IP and fans—creation, consumption, and transactions—and link it to registration and settlement processes.
Built for a Global Fanbase
The minicoin payment service is planned for phased rollout across LINE FRIENDS stores in Korea and abroad, offering international visitors and overseas fans additional payment options.
Demand could be significant. K-POP SQUARE, which opened in the heart of Seoul’s Hongdae district in June 2025, welcomed over one million visitors in its first year — roughly 80% of them international fans from more than 90 countries. As digital assets gain traction as a payment method worldwide, IPX expects strong interest in the service.
“This service rollout marks an important step toward using digital assets to purchase physical merchandise — beyond trading and use within specific platforms,” said an IPX official. “We believe the value of IP can grow further as it expands beyond connecting with fans through content and products to finding new ways to engage with them across the digital IP ecosystem. We will continue to explore new IP business opportunities that connect IP, fans, and commerce in this evolving landscape.”
About IPX (F.K.A. LINE FRIENDS)
IPX is the new corporate name of LINE FRIENDS, a global character brand that began with original characters including BROWN, CONY, and SALLY — created as stickers for the leading mobile messenger app LINE and its 200 million active users worldwide. IPX has announced a new business strategy to accelerate the global expansion of its IP businesses by diversifying its IP portfolio for all ages and advancing its digital and retail operations.
The company’s IP experiences include BT21 (BTS), ZO&FRIENDS (G-DRAGON), minini, and JOGUMAN, and it has partnered with global companies including Netflix (original animated series) and HoYoverse (Genshin Impact) to reach over 50 million Millennials and Gen Z fans worldwide. IPX currently operates in 18 markets — including Seoul, New York, LA, Tokyo, and Shanghai — across 8 online sales platforms.
