East Asia is emerging as one of the most strategically important regions for the future of gaming and Web3 development. With powerhouse economies, highly digitalized societies, and some of the world’s most enthusiastic gaming communities, the region offers a unique blend of opportunity and momentum. The East Asian video game market is forecasted to reach $30.8 billion USD by 2028, underscoring its central role in the next chapter of global gaming growth.

This region is home to some of the most passionate and engaged gamers on the planet. PUBG Mobile has seen enduring popularity across East Asia, particularly in Taiwan and China, while League of Legends: Wild Rift maintains strong player retention in Korea and Japan.

Meanwhile, East Asia’s domestic studios are breaking new ground. Black Myth: Wukong, widely regarded as China’s first triple-A game, recently surpassed 21 million units sold worldwide and crossed $1 billion in revenue, and Delta Force, a free-to-play first-person-shooter launched by TiMi Studio Group, has reached more than 8 million players worldwide since launching in late 2024.

Arbitrum Gaming Ventures is doubling down on East Asia by investing in native builders, forming strategic partnerships, and ensuring that developers building Web3 applications on Arbitrum have the tools and support to thrive. One such partner is Everest Ventures Group (EVG) — a multifaceted investor and ecosystem builder with a strong regional presence across East Asia. Together, we are working to integrate Arbitrum technology with EVG’s T-REX blockchain ecosystem to unlock new opportunities across games, music, media, and more.

Why East Asia Matters for Gaming Growth, Blockchain, and other Innovation

East Asia is home to some of the most mature and influential gaming economies in the world — and it’s now becoming a crucial region for blockchain adoption as well. South Korea and Japan are both global leaders in gaming revenue per user, with strong developer ecosystems, high consumer spend, and a long-standing cultural affinity for digital entertainment. In 2023, South Korea alone generated over $7 billion USD in gaming revenue, while Japan remains the third-largest gaming market globally.

On the blockchain front, East Asia has shown a resurgence of innovation after navigating early regulatory uncertainty. South Korea’s Web3 sector is experiencing a renaissance, driven by local giants like Kakao and Wemade launching L1 and L2 infrastructure projects. In Hong Kong, government support and clearer regulatory frameworks have positioned the city as a gateway for blockchain startups and institutional capital across the region. Japan’s major tech companies and game publishers — including Square Enix and Bandai Namco — have also entered the Web3 space, investing in NFT platforms, digital identity, and blockchain-native gaming IPs.

This mix of consumer demand, technological leadership, and institutional investment makes East Asia a unique growth engine for the next generation of Web3 applications — particularly in entertainment and gaming. But succeeding in the region requires more than a compelling product. It takes culturally aligned partnerships, long-term local engagement, and infrastructure that meets the scale and speed of regional users.

That’s why Arbitrum Gaming Ventures is not just expanding into East Asia — we are embedding ourselves into the ecosystems, builder communities, and capital networks that will define the region’s next chapter of innovation.

Strategic Partners Matter: EVG Empowers Arbitrum to Accelerate Growth in East Asia

To catalyze meaningful adoption in East Asia, it’s essential to work with trusted partners who understand the cultural, technical, and business nuances of the region. That’s where Everest Ventures Group (EVG) plays a key role. As a seasoned investor, incubator, and ecosystem builder with a proven track record in East Asia, EVG enables Arbitrum to move with both precision and speed.

Recent events such as Consensus Hong Kong and TOKEN2049 Singapore made one thing clear: while developer interest in blockchain innovation is high across East Asia, awareness of Arbitrum’s full capabilities remains underpenetrated. Builders expressed strong interest in Arbitrum’s innovations — like Orbit custom chains, Time Boost, and Stylus — but many were encountering these tools for the first time. It’s clear there’s a need to increase visibility and provide greater on-ramps for East Asian developers and founders to adopt Arbitrum’s tech stack.

That’s why we are not just talking about East Asia — we are investing in it. Arbitrum Gaming Ventures is collaborating with EVG to co-invest in projects building on the new T-REX blockchain, an entertainment-focused Layer 2 powered by Arbitrum infrastructure. This partnership unlocks a potent combination of capital, local expertise, and cutting-edge technology to support top teams across gaming, music, digital culture, and fan ecosystems.

This is just the beginning of a deeper collaboration aimed at making East Asia a launchpad for the next generation of Web3-native entertainment. With EVG’s local fluency and our shared commitment to long-term ecosystem growth, Arbitrum is laying the foundation to become the default blockchain infrastructure across East Asia’s creator and gaming economies.

What’s Next for Builders and Founders

The pace of Web3 innovation in East Asia is accelerating — and Arbitrum is committed to being at the center of it. From Tokyo to Hong Kong to Seoul, we are building the infrastructure, partnerships, and momentum needed to support the next wave of decentralized gaming, entertainment, and fandom.

If you’re a founder creating games, entertainment experiences, or fan-centric applications — we invite you to join us. The Arbitrum Gaming Ventures x T-REX co-investment program will give builders access to technical resources, strategic capital, and one of the most engaged gaming communities in Web3.

The future of gaming and fandom is decentralized — and we are building it now, in East Asia.

To apply for our T-REX co-investment program, please reach out to: ecosystem@trex.xyz