OPL: Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

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Shiran Zhang: Hi this is Shiran, the ecosystem lead for Cygnus. I graduated from Peking University and New York University, and was once employed in big tech. I also had a journey with Chainbase, which is a Web3 data company. I joined Cygnus in the summer of 2022. Currently I’m based in San Francisco / Bay Area.

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OPL: Cygnus Finance initially focused on modular real yield and restaking. What prompted the pivot to Cygnus Instaplay and its integration with Instagram? 

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Shiran Zhang:

1. Inspired by the Success of TON Mini-Games. The pivot toward Instagram-based engagement was driven by the explosive success of TON’s mini-game ecosystem last summer. We observed that users were highly receptive to earning points through casual games and converting them into tokens within wallets. This proved that social media-driven Web3 adoption is not only viable but highly scalable.

2. Instagram’s Massive User Base & Viral Content Potential. Instagram has over 2.5 billion users worldwide, far surpassing the reach of traditional crypto-native platforms. Short-form video content related to tokens, gaming, and social finance spreads rapidly, creating a natural viral loop for Cygnus’ growth. As a platform deeply embedded in both creator monetization and mainstream culture, Instagram presents an unparalleled opportunity for Web3 expansion.

3. Cygnus’s Leadership Team Has Strong Instagram Expertise. Cygnus’ core team includes ex-Meta (Instagram parent company) members, with deep expertise in social engagement algorithms, ad monetization, and creator economy strategies. As Web3 adoption grows, our team understands how to leverage Instagram’s existing user behavior and platform dynamics to drive seamless blockchain onboarding.

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OPL: How does Cygnus Instaplay work, and what unique value does it bring to both Web3 and social media users?

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Shiran Zhang:

✅ Cygnus Instaplay: Web3 Gaming & Social Engagement on Instagram

Cygnus has launched Instaplay, an interactive points-based ecosystem directly integrated with Instagram. Through Instagram’s advanced ad targeting & creator partnerships, we have already onboarded millions of verified users.

✅ Seamless Web2 → Web3 Transition via Smart Wallets

Using account abstraction (AA) wallets, Cygnus enables users to log in with Instagram and instantly generate a Web3 wallet without needing seed phrases or private keys. This ensures frictionless onboarding while maintaining full blockchain functionality.

✅ From Instagram to Creator Economy & Data Sovereignty

Once onboarded, users can seamlessly transition into Cygnus’ broader ecosystem, including creator economy participation, and token-based rewards, restaking, and Data Sovereignty. This allows Instagram users to naturally convert into on-chain participants, unlocking new liquidity and engagement across multiple blockchain ecosystems.

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OPL: 0G is known for its innovative Web3 technology. How do you feel about the partnership with 0G, and how has 0G’s technology or infrastructure helped strengthen Cygnus' transition and growth?  

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Shiran Zhang: 0G's technological innovations have significantly advanced the industry. Their modular scalability and custom consensus mechanisms are particularly commendable, greatly enhancing data processing capabilities and system stability while also boosting network security. 0G's cutting-edge technology has set new high standards for the development of Web3 technologies.

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OPL: What are the key synergies between Cygnus and 0G? How do their innovations align with Cygnus’ mission and make the product stronger?

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Shiran Zhang: The key synergies between Cygnus and 0G are rooted in their shared commitment to driving innovation within the blockchain ecosystem. 0G's scalable architectures and custom consensus mechanisms are well-aligned with Cygnus' mission to enhance user engagement and platform functionality. This strategic alignment could significantly strengthen Cygnus' offerings, making them more robust and adaptable in a rapidly changing digital environment. 

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OPL: During the accelerator, Cygnus secured key partnerships, gained Binance promotion, and was recognized by Bitget as a top DeFi project on TON. How have these milestones strengthened your offerings, accelerated growth, and shaped your long-term strategy?

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Shiran Zhang: These milestones have significantly contributed to strengthening Cygnus's offerings and accelerating our growth in several key ways:

- Key Partnerships: Securing strategic partnerships has been instrumental in expanding our reach and enhancing our capabilities. These collaborations provide access to additional resources, technology, and networks, which in turn improve the user experience and offer more value to our ecosystem and chain. They also help us expand across multiple blockchains.

- Binance Promotion: Being promoted by Binance has greatly increased Cygnus's visibility within the global Web3 community. This exposure has led to a growing user base, especially in markets where Binance has strong influence. It also boosts confidence in Cygnus's technology, as being associated with a leading exchange like Binance signals trust and reliability to potential users and partners.

- Recognition by Bitget: Recognition as a top DeFi project on TON solidifies Cygnus's position as a leader in the DeFi space. This endorsement from Bitget not only highlights our technological advancements and innovation but also provides us with access to a broader audience, fostering credibility and future collaborations within the DeFi ecosystem.

These milestones have collectively accelerated our growth by increasing our market presence, strengthening our partnerships, and building trust with users and investors. They have shaped our long-term strategy by positioning Cygnus as a key player in the Web3 world, allowing us to continue evolving our offerings, scale sustainably, and lead the transition to decentralized ecosystems for users.

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