Share this article

Encrypted Messaging Protocol Mask Network Acquires Mastodon Server Pawoo.net

Pawoo.net is the second-largest instance on Mastodon with 800,000 users.

Updated May 9, 2023, 4:04 a.m. Published Dec 21, 2022, 8:01 a.m.
(John Noonan/Unsplash)
(John Noonan/Unsplash)

Social Coop Limited, an entity affiliated with Mask Network, a protocol that allows users to send encrypted messages and cryptocurrency transfers across social media, has acquired Pawoo.net, one of the largest instances/servers on social media site Mastodon, according to a blog post.

The cost of the acquisition remains undisclosed but the new team will take over operations on Dec. 21, the blog post said.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters

Japan-based Pawoo is the second-largest instance, which is another term for an internet server, on Mastodon with around 800,000 users.

Mastodon has rapidly increased in popularity since Elon Musk took over Twitter in October. Musk controversially restricted users that promoted Mastodon and other social media websites, a decision that he admitted "was a mistake" during a Twitter spaces on Wednesday.

Mask Network, which said the acquisition will help build a "decentralized social network and a free, open internet," has raised almost $50 million from investors since its launch in 2017, according to Crunchbase.

The Mask Network's native token, MASK, is currently trading at $2.28 having dwindled by 1.08% over the past 24-hours, according to CoinMarketCap.


More For You

Pudgy Penguins: A New Blueprint for Tokenized Culture

Pudgy Title Image

Pudgy Penguins is building a multi-vertical consumer IP platform — combining phygital products, games, NFTs and PENGU to monetize culture at scale.

What to know:

Pudgy Penguins is emerging as one of the strongest NFT-native brands of this cycle, shifting from speculative “digital luxury goods” into a multi-vertical consumer IP platform. Its strategy is to acquire users through mainstream channels first; toys, retail partnerships and viral media, then onboard them into Web3 through games, NFTs and the PENGU token.

The ecosystem now spans phygital products (> $13M retail sales and >1M units sold), games and experiences (Pudgy Party surpassed 500k downloads in two weeks), and a widely distributed token (airdropped to 6M+ wallets). While the market is currently pricing Pudgy at a premium relative to traditional IP peers, sustained success depends on execution across retail expansion, gaming adoption and deeper token utility.

More For You

Circle faces first major 'threat' for institutional dollars from Tether’s USAT

Circle logo on a building

While Circle's USDC has operated without a "credible domestic competitor," Tether's USAT has the potential to shake up the landscape, analysts said.

What to know:

  • Analysts said USAT, the U.S.-focused stablecoin by Tether, could become the first credible domestic competitor to Circle's USDC token.
  • USAT is "a threat to USDC" and could gain an edge through institutional partners and global USDT connectivity, Crypto is Macro Now's Noelle Acheson said.
  • ClearStreet's Owen Lau called USAT “a manageable risk” for Circle, and noted potential "cannibalization" risk between Tether's two tokens.