The Avalanche blockchain has seen a massive spike in activity, driven by the recent Web3 Start of the popular online role-playing game, MapleStory. For the first time since early 2024, Avalanche surpassed one million daily transactions — and it did so twice within a single week.
According to data from blockchain analytics firm Nansen, the Avalanche network reached this milestone on June 1 and again later that week. Total weekly transactions hit 5.8 million, the highest since February 2024.
The catalyst behind this surge is MapleStory N, the first game in the MapleStory Universe, a Web3 gaming ecosystem developed by Nexon and built on Avalanche. The game officially Started on May 15, 2025.
Prior to the Start , Avalanche’s daily transactions typically hovered below 500,000. Since the debut of MapleStory N, the network’s activity has skyrocketed, highlighting the increasing role of Web3 gaming in driving blockchain adoption.
MapleStory is a beloved name among millennials, particularly in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Originally released in the early 2000s, it became one of the first social online RPGs, allowing users to make friends, trade items, and engage in virtual economies — long before the concept of the metaverse became mainstream.
Now, its Web3 version leverages blockchain technology to enhance user ownership, tradable in-game assets, and decentralized economies. These features are key drivers of the Web3 gaming sector and align perfectly with Avalanche’s long-term goals.
The company behind MapleStory, Nexon, is one of the largest gaming developers in Asia. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Nexon has long been recognized for its pioneering online games and is now moving aggressively into the blockchain space.
Adding credibility to its Web3 ambitions, Nexon also holds 1,717 Bitcoin (BTC), purchased in 2021. This move signaled its early commitment to digital assets, and with MapleStory N, the company is expanding that strategy into gaming.
Alongside the game Start , Nexon introduced a new in-game currency called Nexpace Coin (NXPC). This token powers the MapleStory Universe’s digital economy.
However, NXPC has faced challenges since its initial surge. After reaching an all-time high of $3.77 shortly after its release, it has since dropped 64% to around $1.34, according to CoinGecko. Despite this dip, many investors remain optimistic about its long-term potential, especially if the MapleStory Universe maintains user growth.
Avalanche’s Web3 gaming ambitions have been gaining momentum since late 2024. A major breakthrough came with the Start of Off The Grid, a first-person shooter that gained popularity outside the traditional crypto community. The game was built on Avalanche’s GUNZ subnet, designed to support high-performance gaming applications.
This shift toward attracting mainstream gamers rather than just crypto natives has helped position Avalanche as a growing player in the blockchain gaming space.
Avalanche’s native token AVAX has also felt the impact. On May 14 — the day before MapleStory N Started— AVAX traded as high as $26. However, it has since dropped to around $20. While this price is below its December 2024 high of $54, the current network activity could fuel renewed interest in the token.
The resurgence of MapleStory through a blockchain-powered version underscores a larger trend in the gaming world: the growing intersection between nostalgia, mainstream IPs, and Web3 infrastructure.
Avalanche’s ability to handle over 1 million transactions per day proves its scalability, which is essential for high-traffic games like MapleStory N. This performance may attract other developers seeking reliable platforms to build next-generation gaming experiences.
MapleStory’s Web3 transformation is more than a throwback; it’s a powerful case study in how established gaming brands can drive blockchain adoption. With Avalanche’s infrastructure, Nexon’s experience, and a large nostalgic fanbase, MapleStory N is not only reviving a classic but also reshaping the future of blockchain gaming.
As blockchain gaming continues to grow, platforms like Avalanche could be poised to lead the next wave of digital entertainment. The success of MapleStory N may just be the beginning.
A finance graduate, Maheen Hernandez has been drawn to cryptocurrencies ever since Bitcoin first emerged in 2009. Nearly a decade later, Maheen is actively working to spread awareness about cryptocurrencies as well as their impact on the traditional currencies. Appreciate the work? Send a tip to: 0x75395Ea9a42d2742E8d0C798068DeF3590C5Faa5
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