Decentraland team up with Samsung

Two token types operate in Decentraland. MANA is fungible, used to purchase goods, services, and LAND within the game. LAND tokens work differently. Each represents a unique plot of in-game property that players own outright and control completely. Players customize land with 3D development tools, no coding required.

Both currencies operate on the Ethereum blockchain. MANA follows the ERC-20 technical standard. All transactions record on-chain.

Samsung's move fits a pattern among major technology companies entering blockchain gaming. Atari created a native token. Square Enix invested in Animoca's The Sandbox. Large firms bring existing user bases into the space plus resources to build and maintain these platforms. When major companies participate in an emerging sector, players take it more seriously.

Samsung initially limited blockchain functionality to flagship phones but is expanding to budget models. The company also partnered with AERGO to explore decentralized finance. In markets where traditional banks are scarce, affordable phones are common. DeFi tools on these devices could provide unbanked populations access to financial services traditional institutions don't serve.