Look, let's be honest: ONE Store is making a serious pivot into blockchain, officially joining CROSS Protocol as a validator. By building and managing its own node infrastructure, ONE Store is stepping directly into the trenches of the CROSS mainnet 2.0. The company will now handle block production, transaction verification, and the general security of the network. For the uninitiated, a validator acts as the digital auditor of a blockchain, ensuring every transaction is legit before carving new blocks into the ledger. It is a smart move for network health, too—the more diverse the validator pool, the less the network relies on a single entity, which is always a plus for stability.

The CROSS mainnet 2.0, dubbed 'Breakpoint', operates on a Proof of Staked Authority (PoSA) consensus mechanism. In this system, validators hold the keys to the kingdom, provided they meet specific staking requirements and keep their nodes humming 24/7 to maintain the network's integrity. As the second-largest app market in Korea by transaction volume, ONE Store is looking to leverage its deep experience in app distribution, payment systems, and developer support to bridge its Web2 legacy into the Web3 world.

This follows the footsteps of H Lab, the first to join as a validator, and CertiK, which has already inked a deal to join the party. With ONE Store on board, CROSS Protocol is effectively widening its moat, linking traditional game platforms with blockchain infrastructure. According to NEXUS Co., Ltd. CEO Jang Hyun-guk, the participation of ONE Store marks a significant starting point where app market operational prowess meets blockchain infrastructure. The CEO added that the goal is to unite game distribution, payments, and on-chain infrastructure into one cohesive platform structure.

In other news, there is a bit of a rebrand afoot within the ecosystem. The CROSS mainnet, previously known as CROSS, is being rebranded to 'ONEChain'. Consequently, the native token 'CROSS' will now be known as 'ONE', and the ecosystem's stablecoin will shift its moniker to 'ONEUSD'.