iWorld
Ullu dives into Web3 with spicy new token, UlluCoin
MUMBAI: Ullu, the OTT platform that made a name for itself with bold originals and a 42-million-strong user base, is now spicing things up in the crypto world. The streamer has officially launched UlluCoin, its own utility token, marking its first big leap into the Web3 space.
Minted with a max supply of 100 billion tokens, UlluCoin aims to power immersive experiences and engagement across Ullu’s expanding digital ecosystem. The token is issued by a newly floated entity and signals the platform’s evolution from Web2 to decentralised, blockchain-enabled interaction, a move few Indian entertainment players have dared to make.
Backing the venture is Cypher Capital Markets, the Dubai-based VC heavyweight with a taste for emerging tech and crypto. Known for placing early bets on Web3 winners, Cypher brings serious clout and capital to Ullu’s blockchain ambitions.
Cypher Capital investment director, Harsh Agarwal says, “At Cypher Capital, we look for projects that combine massive user scale with real-world utility and UlluCoin fits that vision perfectly. We’re excited to back and help UlluCoin scale globally”.
On the launch, Ullu CEO Avinash Duggar said, “This is a big moment for India and for Ullu. We’ve always strived to stay ahead of the curve, empowering users, unlocking new value for creators, and building a smarter entertainment economy.”
He added, “UlluCoin is more than just a token; it’s a full-stack utility ecosystem built on one of the most active OTT platforms in the region. With over 109 million downloads and 42 million active subscribers, Ullu offers native distribution, unmatched engagement, and a powerful use case for real-world blockchain adoption.”
Ganesh Lore of Chainsense Ltd. stated, “Web3 is our gateway to scaling businesses globally, and Ullu is the perfect example. Chainsense Ltd has joined as UlluCoin’s official Web3 partner, leading blockchain infrastructure, tokenomics, and global expansion.”
With UlluCoin, the streaming rebel now wants to become a Web3 disruptor. Entertainment, meet decentralisation.
Gaming
Sony raises PS5 prices for second time in under a year
US disc edition jumps $100 to $649.99 as memory costs surge.
MUMBAI: Sony just hit the pause button on affordable gaming because when memory prices skyrocket, even the Playstation has to pay the premium. Sony has announced its second price increase for the Playstation 5 range in less than a year, citing pressures in the global economic landscape and a sharp rise in memory component costs driven by AI demand.
In the US, the PS5 disc edition will rise from $549.99 to $649.99, a $100 hike while the digital edition increases to $599.99. The more powerful PS5 Pro will jump $150 to $899.99. The Playstation Portal remote player will also rise by $50 to $249.99. The new prices take effect on 2 April 2026.
Similar increases have been applied in the UK (£90 per model), Europe and Japan. Sony last raised PS5 prices in the US in August 2025.
“We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide,” Sony said in a blog post.
The hikes come amid an unprecedented surge in memory prices, as manufacturers prioritise supply for AI data centres. Analysts say Sony had likely secured price protections for components that have now expired, forcing the company to protect its hardware margins.
Ampere Analysis research director of games Piers Harding-Rolls told CNBC that further increases from Microsoft and Nintendo would not be surprising, though Nintendo may hesitate to raise the price of its recently launched Switch 2 while establishing the new platform.
The increases arrive eight months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, which is expected to drive strong console sales. However, early reactions online have been a mix of disappointment and resignation, with growing concern that premium gaming is increasingly becoming a hobby for higher-income players.
In a sector already grappling with tariffs, inflation and component shortages, Sony’s move underscores a tough reality: even the most popular consoles are not immune to the rising cost of keeping up with the latest technology.
