Update 12/2/2024
See how Symbol Blockchain is being used for social goods
The Symbol blockchain is an open source blockchain that has been upgraded based on the NEM blockchain. There is an active community, particularly in Japan which using the Symbol blockchain for development by many individual developers, various companies and organisations to create and deliver products, services or social goods in our daily lives. This article presents some examples of use by companies and organisations.
（At the time of writing, August 2024. Names of companies and organisations are listed in alphabetical order in Japanese.）
1. Atomos-Seed, LLC
Products & Services
- Heart Log
- A service that permanently stores the user's precious things as fully-on-chain NFTs. Not only pictures and images, but also audio, video, text, etc. can be used.
- A series of Fully-On-Chain NFT manga XYMcomic
- The manga comics, drawn by illustrator Toujou-Mina which is being serialised as a fully-on-chain NFT manga strip on the Symbol blockchain. New works will be announced and auctioned on the official X account じむコミ XYMcomic【公式】Twitter.
- Collection of previous works. XYMcomic archive
- Whole-being machoization project Muscle World
- The project energises the world to create and sell illustrations of all kinds of creatures as macho, forming a community to enjoy and making a new economic space.
Atomos-Seed, LLC provides support for the implementation/use of blockchain, AI, IoT and XR, value enhancement using tokens, NFT, consortium chain operations, integration of blockchain with existing systems, consulting, branding and marketing, content creation, seminars and studies, etc.
The above information has been prepared with reference to Atomos-Seed, LLC. For more information, please visit the website.
2. NFTDrive Inc.
Products & Services
- NFTDrive
- An automated tool for uploading digital data of various types (images, videos, documents, PDFs, HTML, etc.) to the blockchain and issuing fully on-chain NFTs. Fully-on-chain NFTs are highly tamper-resistant and persistent NFTs that store all data related to the NFT on the blockchain, with tokens and digital data tied together, rather than storing digital data off the blockchain using traditional IPFS or other methods. To improve data tamper resistance, NFTDrive has developed a completely unalterable data area by using the world's first private key abrogation method.（*PATPEND）
- NFTDriveEX
- An NFT-specific wallet made in Japan, developed with the aim of enabling P2P transfer of fully-on-chain NFT for all users.
- HAYABUSA
- A fully on-chain generative NFT creation tool. The development of a single NFG file method that combines random map data and image data into a single NFG file allows thousands of pieces of generative data to be completed in just one write to the Symbol blockchain, while saving on gas fees. FreeMint or SaleMint are also possible, and MintSite comes with Allow List support and Reveal functionality, and can be used for most chains that support EVM. If users do not need to create a fully-on-chain NFT, they can also create off-chain generative NFTs from within GoogleDrive.
- Space
- The Space is the place where the NFTs issued by the NFTDrive can be shared. Users can view and bid on the different types of assets on offer. With NFTDriveEX, users can start sharing immediately without the need for complicated logins etc. Users simply register their address and there is no need to deposit a certain amount and no application process to transfer NFTs.
NFTDrive Inc. got its start developing software for uploading files to the blockchain, using the Symbol blockchain. The company has attracted attention by winning the 'Best Blockchain Data Preservation Solution 2023 - Japan' at APAC inside, and its CEO was also honoured as the 'BlockChain Award 05 Person of the Year JAPAN' at the Japan Blockchain Association in 2023.
The above information has been prepared with reference to NFTDrive Inc.. For more information, please visit the website.
3. Opening Line, Inc
Products & Services
- Juggle
- JUGGLE is a next-generation file security system that uses blockchain technology and public key cryptography to make file sharing secure and easy. It provides an alternative to traditional methods of sharing passwords to more secure methods. It helps improve the security and productivity of business operations.
- Machi Meguri
- A nouvelle digital stamp collecting rally application that uses NFT to deepen connections between people and communities. The intuitive and simple user interface allows anyone to participate and supports the creation of a relevant population and other community-building activities.
- NFT Completion Certificates
- First attempt by a local government, Opening Line, Inc supports the issuance of NFT on certificates of completion.
Opening Line, Inc provides creative solutions for the social implementation of blockchain technology in various fields such as manufacturing, security, healthcare, welfare and education, with the aim of achieving a "safe, secure and cooperative" society. And they have also published "エンジニアのための実践SYMBOLブロックチェーンアプリケーション (Practical SYMBOL Blockchain Applications for Engineers)", a book that provides practical guidance on specific implementation and application development steps for building applications and systems using Symbol Blockchain.
The above information has been prepared with reference to 株式会社OpeningLine. For more information, please visit the website.
4. OPENSPHERE Inc.
Products & Services
- QUEST is a brand new social tipping platform using the Symbol blockchain and its native currency XYM. Supporters can do social tips with XYM, which are called "boost" for 'quest' performers. XYM will be pooled until the quest is completed on time and the achievement is voted on. If the achievement is approved, the boosted XYM will be transferred to the performer; if not, the XYM will be refunded to the supporter. This sequence of events is automatically executed by smart contracts using the Symbol blockchain.
- Metal is a protocol for writing and reading data of any (size) to and from the Symbol blockchain, allowing the Symbol blockchain to be used as an online non-volatile memory (ROM). The protocol, CLI and SDK are open source.
OPENSPHERE Inc. is a software technology company that develops, maintains and operates software and supports service operations. In addition to "QUEST" and "Metal on Symbol V2", which are products and services using Symbol, "Smart Transaction for Symbol (PoC)" has been developed and released as a proof of concept.
The above information has been prepared with reference to OPENSPHERE Inc.. For more information, please visit the website.
5. KTV Software Inc. (Kansai Television Software Inc.)
Products & Services
- Reliability verification system at disaster sites using IPDC and blockchain
- It aims to verify the reliability of information via IPDC even in the event of communication disruptions due to disasters, etc., using the tamper resistance of the blockchain and the coverage of broadcast waves, which can transmit stable information over a wide area. IPDC stands for IP Datacast, a transmission technology that simultaneously distributes communication packets (IP datagrams), including those of the traditional Internet, over the airwaves. It has started to be introduced to broadcasters, mainly for use in disaster prevention, and demonstration experiments have been carried out with ATTRACTOR Co., Ltd.
- A project to develop and demonstrate technologies against false and misleading information on the internet.
- The ongoing project "Demonstration of technology for countermeasures against False/Misinformation during disasters using broadcast waves" for "Reliability verification system at disaster sites using IPDC and blockchain" is an example of a project adopted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for "Development and demonstration of technology for countermeasures against False/Misinformation on the Internet". The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to promote the social implementation of countermeasure technologies through the "Development and Demonstration Project for Countermeasure Technologies against False/Misinformation on the Internet" to address the risk of spreading false and misinformation on the Internet, including false and misinformation caused by generated AI. A total of 21 proposals were received in response to the public call for proposals, which ran from Friday 26 April to Monday 20 May. Following evaluation by an evaluation committee of external experts, six of these proposals were accepted. This is one of them.
- 私のまちの宝もの 〜となりの重要文化財〜(Treasures of my city - important cultural assets in my neighbourhood)
- Derived from various new business initiatives of Kansai Television Broadcasting Corporation and led by Group company Kansai Television Software, this project uses blockchain technology, the cutting edge of the internet, to preserve local culture. This project focuses on important local cultural assets and treasures, unravelling their history and preserving them in images for the long term.
- On-chain data stored directly on the Symbol blockchain can be viewed by entering the data address in the Archive Explorer on the KTV Software Inc. homepage.
- Addresses for images in Vol.1：
NAELRABGBJONVQGRVZ3J7NE4DCISRKQIZ2MIFTY - Addresses for images in Vol.2：
NDPKQS4DYSLY6FKI6IK5OASZ5JJ4VM6CKFHMUIY - Addresses for images in Vol.3：
NABFC2EF37OKSFQEXYYMJBV3JMXXPNE2EVPKGPI - Addresses for images in Vol.4：
NC3ZPOOOXIP7IOZBKPGUFOKJANMSM73FW7DDH6I - Addresses for images in Vol.5：
NASJBHCARN34Y5RGMH5DTAFE2B7ODKQAVX6BHWI
KTV Software Inc. develops and maintains systems, mainly for the broadcast industry, and also develops interactive exhibition systems and produces and updates websites for drama and variety programmes, among a wide range of other services. Meanwhile, various research studies are being conducted on the use of the symbol blockchain, including NFT, DID and traceability.
The above information has been prepared with reference to KTV Software Inc. and 私のまちの宝もの 〜となりの重要文化財〜. For more information, please visit the website.
6. Shizui Laboratory Co.,Ltd.
Products & Services
- ShizuiNet
- ShizuiNet is a database system that records various information about cells used in regenerative medicine on a blockchain. It is used to securely store data from cell culture, storage, transport, use and disposal, from donor to patient. The world's first introduction of blockchain traceability to regenerative medicine, consisting only of a public blockchain and power-saving devices, ShizuiNet can be flexibly customised to meet a wide range of traceability needs and has been applied to attendance management, agricultural product traceability and more.
Shizui Laboratory Co.,Ltd. is a venture company that develops cell quality and distribution management systems, which was born out of the Shizui Cell Project at Gifu University. It also shares cells and its handling expertise with other companies and institutions through collaborative research, giving back to society.
The above information has been prepared with reference to Shizui Laboratory Co.,Ltd.. For more information, please visit the website.
7. Palette Link Okinawa, LLC
Products & Services
- NFT次世代写真館UMUI～うむい～(Next Generation NFT Photo Studio UMUI)
- Umui, which means 'feelings' in the Okinawan dialect, makes special 'feelings' into a fully-on-chain NFT special 'form'. NFTs can be easily viewed from any device at any time by simply clicking on the URL of the dedicated UMUI viewer.
- UMUI POCKET
- A web application that allows users to easily experience NFTs, send and receive tokens and trade between individuals without using the marketplace, and can also be used as a wallet for XYM.
Palette Link Okinawa, LLC is engaged in the business of fully-on-chain NFT data archiving using blockchain technology, the development and operation of NFT services, the production, sale and brokerage of NFT and other electronic publications, and the issuance and service of fully-on-chain NFT coupons. It has also been adopted as a prize for the Ryukyu Pickleball Tournament and recognised as a hometown tax return gift, among other efforts to promote the local area of Okinawa.
The above information has been prepared with reference to Palette Link Okinawa, LLC and NFT次世代写真館UMUI～うむい～(Next Generation NFT Photo Studio UMUI) . For more information, please visit the website.
8. Food NFT consortium
Products & Services
- FOOD NFT
- Flavour and recipe data is stored in a fully-on-chain NFT on the Symbol blockchain, enabling permanent data storage and tamper resistance. This opens up new possibilities for the use of flavour and recipe data and for NFTs.
- ONE PLATE
- ONEPLATE is designed to make engaging with NFTs easy, immediate, and friendly. ONEPLATE is improves the user experience related to NFTs and has been developed with a focus on ease of understanding and use, with the goal of allowing anyone to quickly and easily interact with NFTs. Explore the world of NFTs effortlessly with ONEPLATE – for anyone, anywhere, anytime can join the NFT. ONEPLATE allows users to start using it with just a click of the URL, ensuring high accessibility across devices such as smartphones. With the ability to quickly preview NFTs and provide URLs and QR codes for easy sharing, users can not only enjoy collecting and appreciating NFTs, but also effortlessly show them to others and share their favorite NFTs. In addition, ONEPLATE facilitates transactions such as buying and selling NFTs, eliminating the need to use other services or marketplaces and consolidating NFT-related operations within ONEPLATE.
- Osinagaki NFT
- Osinagaki is the Japanese word for menu. The content and images of the monthly changing menus are converted into data and stored as NFTs of "once-in-a-lifetime" meals, which can be purchased on ONEPLATE as content that allows people to share and collect their dining experiences.
Food NFT consortium was established to create a market for 'food NFT' by converting 'flavour data' and 'recipe data' into NFTs on the blockchain. It realises the operation of 'flavour digital assets' and promotes the development and distribution of food NFTs.
The above information has been prepared with reference to Food NFT consortium. For more information, please visit the website.
9. GRAPEs Inc.
Products & Services
- Virtual Card Tokens Maker
- The Virtual Card Tokens Maker web application is a service that generates text, images, etc. as a single HTML file. The generated file can be uploaded as a single FT/NFT mosaic (token) to the appropriate fully-on-chain FT/NFT issuance service.
- Blockchain business cards
- Blockchain Business Cards is a service for the production of physical cards referencing HTML on the blockchain. Focusing on the role of blockchain as a distributed storage, we have developed the Virtual Card Tokens Maker, a web application that generates business card data as an HTML file according to specifications for writing to the blockchain, and has developed a token (NFT, FT) which generate a single HTML file containing image files, contact book files, etc. that requires no specialist knowledge, and the issuance of distributed digital business cards without the need for an in-house server administrator. By scanning the QR code on the blockchain business card, you can see the data associated with the token, which is generated by the Virtual Card Tokens Maker application, extending its functionality.
Fully on-chain tokenised commercial HTML pages, "Virtual Card Tokens Maker" and fully on-chain tokenised web application, and "Blockchain business cards", which produces physical cards referencing HTML on the blockchain, are all world firsts from GRAPEs Inc. (*GRAPEs Inc. research).
GRAPEs Inc. is a comprehensive service provider offering a wide range of specialised services, including DX strategy consulting, system and application development, website production, big data analytics, AI and machine learning, marketing research, branding, advertising, freight forwarding, and translation. Their goal is to accelerate business innovation and digital transformation by providing a one-stop solution. In addition to the above products and services, they are also working on photography x blockchain DX.
The above information has been prepared with reference to GRAPEs Inc.. For more information, please visit the website.
10. HealthCareGate Inc.
Products & Services
- DrugN
- A medication management system that allows users to track their daily medications to earn experience and points for their account. The DrugN project is based on the idea that the perspectives and ideas of people living with a condition or disease are crucial to building a sustainable society. It aims to create a better society by using the feelings, perspectives and ideas of patients as the value of their experience, linking them to the development of new services and products, and connecting businesses and patients with a strong motivation to change society. It also includes the function to consult a pharmacist online via the DrugN application, allowing users to easily chat with an online pharmacist to manage their medications and check their dosage combinations.
HealthCareGate Inc. is a healthcare company whose mission is to make healthcare more convenient and enjoyable. With the social implementation of Web3 technologies attracting attention, they continued basic research and development around online pharmacists and blockchain, and released the DrugN application after approximately two years of demonstration testing for use in the healthcare sector.
The above information has been prepared with reference to HealthCareGate Inc.. For more information, please visit the website.
11. NEMTUS
NEMTUS (NEM+) is a Japanese non-profit organisation that aims to promote and develop the NEM and Symbol blockchain technologies.
By building a model for autonomous, decentralised societies or organisations, and by making contributions to NEM/Symbol valuable and community activities worthwhile, the aim is to create an ecosystem that can be used by everyone from businesses and organisations to individuals, thus shaping and smoothing the circulation of the economic sphere through the community.
Projects
- Awareness, education and support projects
- Study meeting
- Hands-on
- Seminar
- Events business
- Hackathon
- Exhibition
- Development, deployment and operations
- Building blockchain applications or marketplaces.
- NEM/Symbol-based Git, etc.
- Social action projects
NEMTUS is a non-profit organisation that aims to revitalise businesses using NEM and Symbol together with all people, companies, businesses, institutions and organisations interested in the open source blockchain platform NEM and Symbol. By conducting research and providing information on blockchain, awareness and dissemination activities, education, development, technology promotion and implementation support, the aim is to contribute to the improvement of the public interest by building social infrastructure using technology and returning the results to society, thereby improving the convenience and security of social life and the economic cycle.
The above information has been prepared with reference to NEMTUS. For more information, please visit the website.
Extra. Symbol Payments
- Everyday Symbol This website is a list of venues that accept payments in XYM, the native currency of the Symbol blockchain. The crypto asset used for payments is XYM. However, it is increasingly being referred to as 'Symbol Payments'. Symbol is not a blockchain designed specifically for payments, but the speed of transfer, relatively low transaction fee and variety of wallets used to send and receive XYM, as well as QR code-generating applications for invoices, have helped Symbol payments become popular. In addition, the development of the tap to pay device, "CryptoPiTouch", by community volunteers is currently underway, and a "CryptoPiTouch" prototype device was shown at the Blockchain Expo Spring in May 2024 to demonstrate how it works, with the application and hardware currently being created for completion. Once completed, the system will be piloted at Symbol Payments venues.