MetaHub Finance’s Secret to Web3 Success

With its deflationary MEN token concept and MetaID system, MetaHub Finance is rewriting the Web3 space by giving people around the world a simple way to integrate blockchain into their lives. In this interview, James Ross Croyle, CEO of MetaHub Finance, discusses how the platform makes it easier for users to transition from Web2 to Web3 while allowing them to monetize, stake, and interact in the decentralized ecosystem.

How did your journey into cryptocurrency begin?

I got into cryptocurrency in 2017. It was pure curiosity. I saw my colleagues making money with so-called digital assets and thought, “What is this?” I had no idea how they did it, but I decided to give it a try. I bought some Bitcoin and Ethereum and started playing a blockchain game called CryptoKitties. It was one of the first blockchain-based games to use smart contracts. I thought it was fascinating, but then I lost the seed phrase. That meant I lost 8 CryptoKitties and $100 worth of Ethereum. It was a harsh lesson. After that, I still had Bitcoin and Ethereum on exchanges, but I didn’t use them much for a while.

In 2020, I started advising Web3 startup, which aims to help creators monetize their work on platforms like Instagram. By 2021, I was completely immersed in Web3 and gaming. We even created a gaming guild from scratch with 300 players participating in games like blockchain-based horse racing games Axie Infinity and Pegaxy. At the time, I was working at Microsoft in Southeast Asia, and I quickly became everyone’s go-to Web3 contact when they had questions about cryptocurrency and DeFi.

Eventually I decided I needed a full-time job at Web3, and the timing worked out well because Microsoft was laying off employees. I joined Crypto Global United in a leadership role and later became CEO of MetaHub Finance.

What motivated you to create MetaHub?

MetaHub was born from the desire to create a platform where anyone, regardless of background, can participate and earn. Some people may only have the time and knowledge, while others may bring financial resources. We offer both.

For example, there are ‘hunters’ like the questioner. They put in the work and get rewarded. You may have heard of platforms like QuestN or Galaxy that do similar things. On the other hand, there are “meta miners” who stake tokens to earn dividends or other rewards.

The idea is to create an inclusive ecosystem. Hunters can earn small amounts of money by completing quests, while stakers can participate in the MEN token economy and earn money through staking. We wanted a platform where anyone with an internet connection could participate in the Web3 revolution.

How does MetaHub bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3?

The key is accessibility. We want people to be able to join MetaHub without extensive Web3 knowledge. For example, someone might hear about MetaHub from a friend and be introduced to MetaHub through an affiliate system. Here you can access training videos to learn how to set up a wallet like MetaMask and complete the quest.

MetaID, our decentralized identity system, plays an important role. When users log in with their self-custodial wallet, they will automatically receive a MetaID from Polygon in the form of a Soulbound token. This MetaID acts as a digital identity in the ecosystem and tracks activity while maintaining privacy. It is seamless and does not require users to understand technical details.

What benefits do users get from becoming a metacitizen?

Meta-citizenship has several advantages. First of all, meta citizens have access to a supportive community. Our Telegram group is very active and offers free training for newcomers. This collaborative approach helps users setting up their wallet for the first time or exploring advanced features.

Meta citizens also receive Soulbound tokens as part of their MetaID, which tracks their activity and participation. This ID becomes increasingly valuable as the user progresses in the ecosystem. For example, higher-ranking citizens may gain early access to features or be invited to exclusive partner events. It’s like a level-up system that rewards active and engaged members.

How does MetaID improve existing digital identity systems? Why is this essential in the Web3 context?

Traditional digital identity systems, such as those used by Facebook or Google, often require users to share personal information without transparency or control. In contrast, MetaID is completely decentralized and tied to the user’s wallet.

When users log into a self-custodial wallet like MetaMask, they receive a MetaID, which acts as a digital passport within the ecosystem. Track activities such as completed quests, staking history, and referral levels without compromising your privacy.

This decentralized identity is also tightly integrated with our affiliate system. Affiliates can earn rewards across 20 referral levels, and MetaID ensures accurate tracking without exposing sensitive data. Over time, MetaID will evolve to include more features, further strengthening its role in the Web3 space.

Can you elaborate on MetaHub’s roadmap for growth?

Over the past few years, we have been building the foundation of MetaHub. Initially, we focused on facilitating peer-to-peer transactions for MEN tokens, allowing users to cash out seamlessly. Now we’re rolling out more advanced features.

One exciting development is Custom Quests, currently in beta. These quests are more than simple tasks like joining a Telegram group. For example, a game studio might create a quest that requires players to download the game, log in, complete certain objectives, and defeat a certain boss. Everything is tracked via API and webhooks to ensure real engagement.

We are also introducing the MetaHub Card, a MasterCard compatible with cryptocurrency. This allows users to spend their cryptocurrencies directly, making it easier to enter the traditional financial system. Furthermore, we plan to launch a decentralized project analytics hub around 2025. Through this, we will leverage our partnerships to provide valuable insights and resources to the Web3 community.

How does MetaHub integrate DeFi tools into its ecosystem?

DeFi is a core part of MetaHub, especially in terms of metaminting. Users can stake their MEN tokens, provide liquidity, or participate in advanced DeFi mechanisms such as Liquid Stake Derivatives (LSD) and LSD-Fi.

MEN tokens follow a deflationary model of burning tokens during certain transactions and halving events to control supply. The value of the token is further supported by its usefulness in staking, rewards and governance. For example, NFT holders receive dividends from transaction taxes, adding another incentive.

What’s unique about MetaHub’s deflationary token model and how does it work?

Our MEN token follows a carefully designed deflation model. Total supply is limited to 700 million and tokens are mined only when needed, such as when rewards are claimed or transactions occur.

We also incorporate a combustion mechanism. For example, certain transactions trigger token burns, permanently reducing circulating supply. Also, like Bitcoin, there is a halving event. This happens as token mining milestones are reached, gradually slowing down production and ensuring long-term scarcity.

One unique feature is tied to NFTs in our ecosystem. NFT holders are entitled to 30% of transaction tax revenue distributed every 28 days. But there’s a problem. Failure to claim compensation within 24 hours will result in unclaimed dividends being locked in the contract and unavailable, adding another layer of deflation.

How will MetaHub’s strategic partnerships across generative AI and Web3 domains impact affiliate marketing on decentralized platforms?

Generative AI and Web3 are both reshaping the affiliate marketing landscape. One of our advisors, Val Bercovici, is a global leader in AI and cybersecurity, and his insights have been invaluable in helping us explore new possibilities.

For example, generative AI can improve content creation and optimize campaigns for affiliates, while Web3 ensures transparency and decentralization. We are also investigating agent workflows, where bots act as task agents under human supervision. These bots perform repetitive tasks, such as data aggregation or trend analysis, allowing affiliates to focus on strategy.

This combination of AI and Web3 has the potential to make affiliate marketing more efficient, scalable, and accessible to a global audience.

What do you think about the future of Web3?

The future of Web3 lies in reducing friction. Currently, tools such as wallets and seed phrases are too complex for the average user. Getting the next billion people on board will require intuitive solutions like biometrics or simplified authentication methods.

Ultimately, Web3 is about decentralization, democratization, and user empowerment. I believe that the term “Web3” itself may disappear as these technologies become fully integrated into our daily lives. Let’s call it the “web” where everything is connected and accessible to everyone.