THE RED PILL FOR BUSINESS: WHAT DO NIKE, IKEA AND MCDONALD'S KNOW THAT YOU DON'T?

Remember the scene where Neo chooses between the red and blue pill? The blue pill — stay in the familiar world. The red pill — learn the truth. In 2025, businesses face the same choice: stay in the past or step into Web3. Nike, IKEA, and McDonald's have already made their choice. What about you?

Web3 is the internet where users own their data, and blockchain and smart contracts replace intermediaries. In 2025, this is no longer just a trend but a reality for big companies that want to stay ahead of the curve.

1. NFT as a Pass to the Brand Ecosystem

Nike is already leveraging NFTs. In 2022, they released a collection of digital sneakers through their subsidiary RTFKT. These sneakers can be "worn" in metaverses and exchanged for exclusive bonuses. According to CNBC, Nike earned over $185 million from NFTs in the first year.

How it works:

• The buyer receives an NFT when purchasing a product.
• The NFT grants access to exclusive events and discounts.
• The secondary NFT market creates additional buzz.

What you need: A website with integrated blockchain wallets (e.g., MetaMask) and NFT minting functionality.

2. Metaverses as New Marketplaces

IKEA is actively experimenting with metaverses. In 2022, they launched virtual showrooms in Roblox, where users can "try out" furniture in their digital homes. According to Forbes, such initiatives increased youth engagement by 40%.

Numbers:

• 10% of developers’ clients make a decision after a virtual tour (Statista, 2023).
• Time spent on a website with metaverse integration increases by 30%.

What you need: A website with 3D visualization and integration with metaverses (e.g., Unity or Unreal Engine).

3. Asset Tokenization to Attract Investors

RealT has been using blockchain for real estate tokenization for several years. They issue tokens representing shares in properties, and investors receive dividends in cryptocurrency. According to Deloitte, 15% of companies started experimenting with tokenization in 2023.

How it works:

• The company issues tokens representing a share in an asset.
• Investors can buy, sell, and receive dividends.

What you need: A website with tokenization functionality and integration with blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum or Polygon).

4. Decentralized Reviews and Ratings (DeRev)

The startup Kleros has developed a platform for decentralized reviews, where each review is recorded on the blockchain and verified by the community. This reduces fake reviews by 90%, according to their White Paper.

How it works:

• Every review is recorded on the blockchain.
• Clients receive tokens for honest reviews.

What you need: A website integrated with DeRev platforms (e.g., Solana).

5. Gamification via Play-to-Earn

McDonald's launched a virtual restaurant in Roblox, where users can build their own establishments and earn tokens. These tokens can be exchanged for discounts at real restaurants. According to CoinDesk, such initiatives increased engagement by 35%.

Numbers:

• 10% of new customers came through the game (McKinsey, 2023).
• Engagement increased by 35%.

What you need: A website with mini-games and Play-to-Earn mechanics.

WebMedia Team: We Know How to Make Web3 Work for Your Business. Website not converting? We already know where the mistake is hiding. Design that won’t make users run to competitors? Yes, it’s possible!

What’s next?

• Web3 technology integration.
• Unique, eye-catching design.
• Real results, not just pretty numbers.

Write to us, and we’ll show you how to make your website a sales machine in 2025.