In a strategic move that could have significant implications for the metaverse, Vertex Labs, the UK-based Web3 and AI infrastructure company, has announced the acquisition of Digimental Studio, the creative force behind 3D NFT fashion brand Hape, for $ 12 million. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Vertex Labs’ position as a provider of Web3 and AI infrastructure worldwide.
Digimental Studio will merge with Vertex Labs’ metaverse protocol, Vertex Network, and 3D metaverse platform, LightCycle, which Digimental will lead the creation and development of. The move promises to expand Digimental’s offerings, marking a milestone for the Hape project, which has quickly gained a strong and loyal following since its launch in 2021.
“The shared vision is for HAPE to become the go-to destination within the fashionverse and a home for its community members through its integration into Vertex Lab’s 3D metaverse platform, LightCycle,” the Hape team wrote while announcing the deal on Twitter.
Hape to introduce staking program
Known for its digital art inspired by street fashion, technology and music, the fashion brand Hape has a substantial NFT community worldwide, with over 420,000 Discord members and a million members across platforms. The Hape Prime NFT Collection has seen massive amounts of trading volume throughout its existence, totaling over 57,277 ETH ($100 million).
Under Vertex Labs, Hape is expected to continue its growth and continue its collaborations with fashion and lifestyle heavyweights such as Italian fashion giant Diesel and global lifestyle brand Jägermeister. In addition to these ongoing collaborations, Hape will introduce a new spacing program for its community members. This initiative is designed to provide its partners with unprecedented access and infrastructure support within the Web3 space.
Vertex Labs CEO Ander Tsui shared his enthusiasm for the acquisition and its implications for the future. “We have developed the world’s first blockchain focused on metaverse development, and now, by adding Digimental to our stable, together we can really push the boundaries of the digital world,” he said in the press release announcing the acquisition. announced.
One of the more notable results of the merger is the integration of the $CMP token into Hape’s proprietary ecosystem. This integration will allow token holders to purchase digital apparel on-chain from the Hape marketplace using $CMP.
Digimental Studio, led by founder Matt Sypien, will lead the development of LightCycle, Vertex Labs’ 3D metaverse platform. Sypien expressed excitement about this new chapter for his studio, emphasizing that Vertex Labs’ support would elevate their offerings and foster greater community involvement in the Web3 space.
“As we enter the Hape 2.0 era, our collaboration will push the boundaries of the digital world. Cultivating a loyal and engaged community has always been at the heart of HAPE’s success,” said Sypien in the press release.
The acquisition of Digimental Studio by Vertex Labs is a sign of the evolving landscape of the digital world. As the metaverse continues to grow and develop, collaborations like this are only becoming more common, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital spaces.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by an nft now contributor in collaboration with OpenAI’s GPT-4.