NEXUS Acquires ONE Store for $48M to Build Global Game Hub

Why It Matters

The move positions NEXUS to compete in the fast‑growing Web3 gaming sector and leverages AI to scale game discovery, potentially reshaping Korea’s app market and expanding its global footprint.

Key Takeaways

• NEXUS buys 89% of ONE store for about $48 million.
• ONE store reaches 38 million Korean devices, now a game hub.
• Global rollout targets Web3 game store with wallets, stablecoins, DEX.
• AI-native platform will curate human and AI‑generated games in real time.
• SK Square, Naver, KRAFTON become strategic investors in NEXUS.

Pulse Analysis

South Korea’s mobile ecosystem has long been dominated by carrier‑backed app stores, but NEXUS’s purchase of ONE store signals a strategic pivot toward a unified gaming experience. By securing an 89% stake for roughly $48 million, NEXUS not only inherits a massive user base of 38 million devices but also gains the goodwill of major carriers and Naver. The involvement of SK Square, Naver and KRAFTON as strategic investors adds credibility and resources, ensuring the platform’s existing partnerships remain intact while opening doors for cross‑industry collaborations.

The core of NEXUS’s vision is to transform ONE store from a conventional app marketplace into a comprehensive Game Hub. Leveraging its global full‑stack game platform, the company will embed Web3 capabilities—such as on‑chain wallets, stablecoins, decentralized exchanges, staking and cross‑chain bridges—creating what it calls the world’s first Web3 game store. Simultaneously, an AI‑native curation engine will analyze both human‑made and AI‑generated titles in real time, matching players with content and streamlining LiveOps for developers. This dual focus on blockchain and artificial intelligence aims to lower entry barriers, accelerate content creation, and foster a vibrant, self‑sustaining gaming economy.

For the broader gaming industry, NEXUS’s strategy could accelerate the mainstream adoption of blockchain‑enabled titles and set a new standard for integrated game services. Competitors will need to match the seamless blend of payment infrastructure, community tools, and AI‑driven discovery to stay relevant. Moreover, the rebranding of the CROSS mainnet to OneChain and the $CROSS token to $ONE aligns the domestic platform with its global ambitions, offering a unified identity for developers and users alike. If successful, NEXUS may become a pivotal gateway for Web3 games entering the lucrative Korean market and beyond, reshaping revenue models and user engagement across the sector.

Deal Summary

NEXUS announced the acquisition of the domestic app market ONE store, purchasing an 89.03% stake for approximately ₩62.6 billion ($48 million). The board approved the deal on June 18, 2026, and strategic investors SK Square, Naver and KRAFTON will join NEXUS as part of the transaction. The acquisition aims to transform ONE store into a global Web3‑enabled game hub.