Funding of $4 million in a private round enables ZKcandy to construct a gaming environment within Telegram.
ZKcandy Secures Funding for Web3 Gaming Expansion
ZKcandy, the Layer 2 gaming blockchain with connections to major game studio iCandy, has announced that it has secured a $4 million private round from prominent investors including Animoca Ventures, Wemix Pte. Ltd., Spartan Group, Perlone Capital, Presto Labs, Flowdesk, Prometheuz, Lecca Ventures, Efficient Frontier, and various angels from Stacks, Analog, and Xangle [1][3].
The funds raised will be used to accelerate the development of ZKcandy's Telegram-based gaming ecosystem, develop AI gaming agents, and seal collaborations with IP holders to speed up adoption. The company's goal is to make Web3 gaming more open and accessible, aiming to bring in top games and other large IPs to create a space for smooth, secure, and rewarding experiences [1].
ZKcandy's pipeline includes a licensed game title from a Tier-1 Hollywood IP, and the company plans to expand its network of partners to support more AAA games and IPs. The successes of games like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, Citizen, and X Empire can be found on Telegram, making it a popular destination for Web3 gaming communities [2].
The recent open testnet launch of ZKcandy saw more than 2.4 million wallets created in just two weeks, reflecting strong early adoption. The major partners and investors of ZKcandy, such as Animoca Ventures, Wemix, and Spartan Group, are crucial to the company's growth and ecosystem development within its Telegram-based, EVM-compatible gaming platform [1].
This ecosystem development leverages the virality and community aspect of Telegram mini-apps combined with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility for gaming dapps [1]. With over 25 game titles in various stages of going live, ZKcandy plans to turn its early momentum into a long-term success [2]. The mainnet launch of ZKcandy is scheduled for April 2025, featuring eight playable Web3 games and signaling expansion with planned Hollywood IP-based games [2].
References:
[1] ZKcandy secures $4 million in funding for its L2 gaming blockchain. (2023, March 22). Cointelegraph. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/news/zksync-based-l2-gaming-blockchain-zkcandy-secures-4-million-in-funding
[2] ZKcandy's mainnet launch signals expansion with planned Hollywood IP-based games. (2025, April 1). Cointelegraph. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/news/zkcandys-mainnet-launch-signals-expansion-with-planned-hollywood-ip-based-games
- The funding secured by ZKcandy will be used to develop AI gaming agents, indicating an integration of artificial intelligence in their Web3 gaming expansion.
- The recent news about ZKcandy's funding round has been covered by various investors and news outlets, including Animoca Ventures, signifying a shift in the finance and investing landscape towards Web3 and gaming.
- As ZKcandy expands its network, it aims to bring top games and other large IPs to its platform, fostering a promising environment for ventures in the realm of Web3 technology and gadgets.
- The success of games on ZKcandy's platform, such as Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, Citizen, and X Empire, has attracted the attention of major venture-capital firms and technology enthusiasts, further validating the potential of Web3 gaming.
