Join Us for Boba & Web3 Vibes at Permissionless | Cygnus: Bridging Web3 with 2.5 Billion Instagram Users
Welcome back, Web3 Innovators,
We’re thrilled to bring you another exclusive interview from the OnePiece Labs x 0G AI+Web3 Incubator, shining a spotlight on Cygnus Finance, one of the standout projects in Batch #4. Today, we’re joined by Shiran Zhang, Ecosystem Lead at Cygnus, to dive into their groundbreaking work merging Web3 with Instagram’s massive social ecosystem. Cygnus is paving the way for seamless Web2-to-Web3 onboarding through their innovative Instaplay platform. Let’s get started!
Cygnus: Bridging Web3 with 2.5 Billion Instagram Users
Q: Shiran, thanks for joining us! Can you give us the rundown on what Cygnus Finance is all about?
Shiran: Absolutely, thanks for having me! Cygnus Finance is building the first Web3 Instagram App Layer, focused on bringing billions of Web2 users into the blockchain world through a fun, intuitive platform called Instaplay. We’re leveraging Instagram’s 2.5 billion-strong user base to drive mass adoption by blending social engagement, gaming, and creator monetization with Web3 functionality. Our goal is to make onboarding seamless—users log in with their Instagram accounts, get an account abstraction wallet instantly, and start interacting with Web3 content, earning rewards, and exploring a decentralized creator economy. It’s all about lowering barriers and creating a scalable ecosystem for users, creators, and advertisers.
Q: Cygnus originally focused on modular real yield and restaking. What inspired the pivot to Instaplay and this deep integration with Instagram?
Shiran: The pivot came from a mix of market insights and our team’s strengths. Last summer, we saw the explosive success of TON’s mini-game ecosystem, where users loved earning points through casual games and converting them into tokens. It showed us that social media-driven Web3 adoption is not only possible but incredibly scalable. Instagram, with its massive global reach and viral short-form video content, was the perfect platform to take this further. Plus, our team includes ex-Meta folks who deeply understand Instagram’s algorithms, creator economy, and user behavior. We saw a unique opportunity to use Instagram’s cultural and technical strengths to onboard users seamlessly into Web3, and Instaplay was born.
Q: That’s a bold move! How does Instaplay actually work, and what makes it stand out for both Web3 natives and social media users?
Shiran: Instaplay is all about simplicity and engagement. Users log into our platform via Instagram, and we automatically generate a smart wallet using account abstraction—no seed phrases, no complexity. From there, they can play interactive games, earn points, and convert those into tokens or rewards, all while staying in a familiar social media environment. What’s unique is how we bridge Web2 and Web3: users can support Instagram creators, who earn through our blockchain-based monetization model, and eventually even own and monetize their social data. For Web3 users, it’s a fresh way to tap into mainstream audiences and liquidity, while for Instagram users, it’s a fun entry point into decentralized finance and the creator economy without needing to understand blockchain tech.
Q: For someone hearing about Cygnus for the first time, how can they jump in and experience Instaplay?
Shiran: It’s super easy to get started. Head to our website or check out our X page for the latest updates and links. From there, you can connect your Instagram account, dive into Instaplay, and start exploring games or earning rewards. We also have a lively Telegram community where you can connect with other users, ask questions, or geek out about Web3 and social finance. Whether you’re a crypto pro or just curious, we’ve made it simple to jump in.
Q: Cygnus recently closed a $20M funding round and is eyeing a $100M raise. What’s next with this capital?
Shiran: The funding is unlocking some exciting moves. We’re doubling down on our Instagram App Layer, making Instaplay even more engaging with better games and creator tools. The capital will fuel development of our creator economy, where users and influencers can earn through our blockchain-based model, and we’re laying the groundwork for data sovereignty, letting users own and monetize their social data. It’s all part of our push for mainstream Web3 adoption, turning Instagram users into active on-chain participants. We’re also prepping for our Cygnus Chain launch, which will tie everything together.
Q: Speaking of Cygnus Chain, you’ve got a testnet live. Can you share more about this and how it fits into your vision?
Shiran: Our Cygnus Chain testnet is live, and we’re thrilled about it. While Instaplay is our current focus, Cygnus Chain is the backbone of our long-term vision to onboard billions of Web2 users. Inspired by the success of Telegram mini apps, we’re using Instagram’s short-form video power to let creators monetize while giving users control over their data. The chain will integrate with Instaplay, enabling seamless transitions into our ecosystem with real-world use cases like interest-bearing assets and staking, all powered by our Liquidity Validation System. We’ve also got partnerships in DeFi, SocialFi, and PayFi to make the chain a hub for innovation.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s Cygnus’s ultimate goal, and where do you see the project in a year?
Shiran: Our ultimate goal is to be the gateway that brings the next billion users into Web3, merging on-chain and off-chain assets to power a thriving creator economy. We want to make Web3 as easy as scrolling Instagram, with sustainable yields, staking, and rewards for everyone involved. In a year, I see Cygnus as a leader in the space, with millions of Instagram users onboarded through Instaplay. Our Cygnus Chain will be live, supporting a vibrant ecosystem of creators and users. With our Account Abstraction wallets and Liquidity Validation System, we’ll be driving frictionless adoption and decentralized value creation, setting the stage for the next wave of Web3 innovation.
🎥 Watch Cygnus’s full Pitch on YouTube →
What’s Next at OnePiece Labs? 🚀
OnePiece Boba @ Permissionless 2025
Pitch Dojo #JUNE2025 is coming!
HarvardAE Web3 Bootcamp
OnePiece Labs x 0G Accelerator Cohort2 Online Demo Day Recap
Let's dive deeper:
🧋 OPBoba Time is ON!
Let’s talk Web3 over boba — chill vibes, real convos, and zero pressure.
Come meet builders, dreamers, degens & doers.
✨ Whether you’re shipping a protocol or just crypto-curious — you belong here.
📍 Lazy Sundaes
🗓️ June 24 | 2–5 PM
🍹 Free boba. Big ideas. Better people.
No pitch decks. Just connection. Let’s vibe！
🚨 Builders & Believers — Pitch Dojo #JUNE2025 is coming!
Join us on June 26 for the next showdown of AI x Web3 innovation ⚔️
Let’s build where AI meets Web3.
🚨 Next up at the Web3 Bootcamp: Decentralized Finance (DeFi)
👤 Speaker: Kuleen Nimkar, BD @ Solana Foundation
🗓️ June 25, 2025
🕓 4–5 PM ET
📚 Learn how DeFi is reshaping global finance — straight from the Solana ecosystem.
🎓 Free & online: https://harvardae.org/web3-bootcamp
🚀 [Demo Day Recap] Meet the Future of AI x Web3!
Missed the OnePiece Labs x 0G Accelerator Cohort 2 Demo Day?
Catch the full recording now and see 9 groundbreaking startups redefining decentralized AI — from agent economies to prediction markets, credit rails, and more.
🚀 Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the world of Web3!
At OnePiece Labs, we’re here to support founders building the future of Web3. If you’re working on something exciting, we’d love to connect.
👋 Startup founder? Join our ecosystem!
Drop your project info below—we’ll keep you in the loop on accelerator updates, investor intros, and collab opportunities. 👉 Apply here
Let’s build the next big thing—together.
🔗 Stay connected with us:
