web3

Xross Road to expand Japanese IP in Web3 with Allora Network

Norbert Gehrke

19 Feb 2025 — 2 min read

Community-driven IP platform “Xross Road” and advanced AI technology provider “Allora Network” have formed a strategic partnership to accelerate business growth and success in the IP (Intellectual Property) industry. Through this collaboration, the two companies will jointly develop next-generation AI x IP solutions leveraging AI technology to create a new dynamic between IP rights holders and the community.

While the IP industry is rapidly growing outside of Japan, there is a need to update traditional management methods and development methods for a global audience due to the varying understanding of IP across cultures and legal frameworks. Xross Road aims to provide a platform where IP rights holders, fans, and creators can actively engage, and to fulfill this mission, it is building a new infrastructure utilizing AI and data analysis technology.

Allora Network offers innovative technology in AI prediction models and data analysis, supported by a global community of data scientists. Through this partnership, the two companies will leverage data analysis to enhance the IP market, create customized user experiences, detect IP misuse, and develop new markets using AI Agents-ultimately shaping the future of the IP industry.

Examples of AI solutions specific to the IP industry

Detection and Protection of IP Misuse: AI automatically detects IP infringement on and off the platform, strengthening rights protection
Creation of New Markets by AI Agents: AI Agents, trained with IP characters, are deployed to create new revenue opportunities
IP Market Data Analysis: AI analyzes consumer preferences and trends to support optimal content development and licensing strategies
Customized User Experience for Customers: Personalized content and services are delivered using AI technology to enhance fan engagement

Future prospects

Xross Road aims to expand Japanese IP content into the global market while building stronger connections with fans. In collaboration with Allora Network, it will deliver innovative AI solutions and drive new value creation within the IP industry.

Please follow us to read more about Finance & FinTech in Japan, like hundreds of readers do every day. We invite you to also register for our short weekly digest, the “Japan FinTech Observer”, on LinkedIn, or directly here on the platform.

We also provide a daily short-form Japan FinTech Observer news podcast, available via its Podcast Page. Our global Finance & FinTech Podcast, “eXponential Finance” is available through its own LinkedIn newsletter, or via its Podcast Page.

Should you live in Tokyo, or just pass through, please also join our meetup. In any case, our YouTube channel and LinkedIn page are there for you as well.

Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS begins tender offer for Zenhoren

Mitsubishi UFJ NICOS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, has resolved to acquire the shares of Zenhoren through a tender offer under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, and to enter into a capital and business alliance agreement with Zenhoren and MUFG. Zenhoren was established in November 2001

SMBC ventures in cybersecurity and philanthropy

This week, SMBC announced a new joint venture in cybersecurity, as well as enhanced philanthropy advisory services. Cybersecurity Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of the MS&AD Insurance Group, Cyreeg, and E-Guardian established SMBC CyberFront on February 17, 2025, with full-scale business operations, including service provision to

SBI Investment leads Blocksky's seed round

Blocksky has raised funds with SBI Investment as the lead investor. With this funding, Blocksky fully deploy its web3 advertising platform "W3AP" in Japan and the global market. W3AP delivers innovative approaches to address key challenges in the web3 advertising market, delivering new value for advertisers, web3 companies

Proof of Concept with Korean financial institutions for stablecoin "Project Pax"

Progmat, Fairsquarelab, and Korea Digital Asset Custody have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a proof of concept for "Project Pax," a cross-border remittance infrastructure project for stablecoins in collaboration with Swift. Through this PoC, the companies will advance the connection of infrastructure for stablecoin remittance between Japan