Recognizing the explosive growth of blockchain, NFTs, and cryptocurrency globally, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the country’s digital innovation pioneer, has embarked on a journey to become the first Philippine bank in the Metaverse, in partnership with Filipino Blockchain startup Ark of Dreams.
UnionBank has always been at the forefront of technological innovations to empower consumers and make them future ready. It was the first Philippine bank to introduce the following that have been game-changers in the way we do banking: (1) mobile banking through wireless application protocol-enabled cellphones; (2) launch a banking website; (3) use an online payment card through EON; (4) use a chat bot (“Talk to Rafa”); (5) launch its own stablecoin (PHX); (6) introduce mobile check deposit through its award-winning app UnionBank Online; (7) opened the first fully digital bank branch in the country, The ARK; and, most recently (8) the first Philippine bank to go fully on the cloud.
Today, UnionBank blazes the innovation trail anew by being the first local bank to enter the Metaverse.
“This collaboration with Ark of Dreams gives us yet another opportunity to forge forward in our pursuit of tech-ing up the Philippines and reinforcing our commitment to deliver superior customer experience across channels; and now, even the Metaverse! We are excited to be the leader in this revolution as the digital asset space keeps maturing and consumer demand for it grows exponentially,” said Henry R. Aguda, Chief Technology & Operations Officer and Chief Transformation Officer at UnionBank.
The founder of Ark of Dreams, Jason Dela Rosa says that “Ark of Dreams is a unique metaverse project” he envisioned this NFT project to provide opportunities that will allow to uplift people’s lives.
“We wanted to create an engaging and immersive virtual experience that is seamlessly connected to the real world. That means interacting with their favorite brands while availing of services like e-Commerce and earning rewards and benefits on the platform, which may be redeemable even in the physical world. We are looking forward to a long-term partnership with UnionBank to provide value to our community and to keep innovating in this space,” Jason dela Rosa added.
“With this partnership, the integration of a suite of financial services with UnionBank’s innovations merged with the principles of Blockchain technology through a gamified NFT platform that is Ark of Dreams, there are unlimited possibilities to serve the whole ecosystem. Our imagination is the only limitation, “said Ark of Dreams CEO, Angeline Chii Viray.
Aguda added that the partnership is intended to familiarize and safely bring everyone into Metaverse, through collaborative ideation and co-creation of experiences and products among Ark of Dreams, UnionBank and the SME community.
The Ark of Dreams (AOD) is a unique, decentralized, and immersive blockchain-based shared human experience NFT game connecting the real world to the Metaverse through mobile play to earn, NFTs, meta-commerce, and brand integration.
AOD interacts with the real world by incorporating online shopping, NFTs, online activities, social events, gaming, virtual world exploration, and activities linked to well-loved brands and icons.
Popular brands and icons have joined the movement such as Pugad Baboy by Pol Medina Jr., Mercato Centrale, United Mercato Kitchens, Bianca King’s MadeMindful, Kimstore, HKT, Warehouse Club, Winkle Donuts, Nature2Nurture, PGA which includes top electronic brands such as Philips, Sony, Targus, Audio-Technica, Euroo, The Artisan Bakers Company, Frito King, KITA.PH, Orange Daily and many more are being signed up.