Online platforms and developers have created games that encourage players to use cryptocurrency over traditional currencies. We are also noticing new reward systems across the internet that pay in digital currencies like Bitcoin. All of this is a direct result of increased public confidence in cryptocurrency and the blockchain technology.
The online gaming market, being one of the early adopters of cryptocurrency, has benefited greatly from the recent rise of crypto. Bitcoin in 2024 crossed the $100k mark for the first time, massively influencing industries involved with blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The gaming industry, to be specific, is shifting towards more crypto-friendly ecosystems, and in this article, we will explore just that.
Integration Of Cryptocurrency In Online Gaming
Blockchain technology enables cryptocurrency transactions, and it is this technology that is being leveraged by various industries to facilitate crypto transactions. In contrast, we see credit cards like Visa and American Express facilitate online transactions that deal with fiat currency. When blockchain systems are integrated into a gaming platform, users can play using cryptocurrencies and make transactions as they would with traditional currency.
“Crypto games” refers to a wide range of games. One type is gambling games that let the players bet with cryptocurrency; the other type is pay-to-earn games that reward you for your playtime. Bitcoin roulette game variants come under this umbrella term and they are popular because they can scale with player needs.
For instance, a player accessing the gaming platform from a mobile phone will get the same experience as a person playing from a desktop device. Also, most crypto wallets are used on smartphones, which makes the entire experience even more seamless. One of the many benefits of playing roulette with cryptocurrency is faster deposits and withdrawals, allowing quick access to winnings.
Other casino games that let players bet with crypto follow the same principles. Furthermore, the integration of cryptocurrency is inherently secure and gives players anonymity to a certain degree.
Appeal To A Wider Audience
The global crypto adoption is rising at record levels, but it is important that we look at which age group holds the largest share. Users aged 25–34 account for the most cryptocurrency ownership in the world, followed by the age group 35-44. Many seasoned investors are also actively participating in the crypto market now that many legal frameworks have been established to support digital assets. This is a new market that game developers are targeting with their interesting cryptocurrency games.
Game developers are adding modern twists to classic games to appeal to a wider audience, and it goes beyond just adding support for cryptocurrency transactions. And for veteran players, they still offer the classic variants of the game. While players aged 18-34 are the most active gamers in the scene, the integration of crypto and its simplicity has been successful in retaining older audiences as well. The most prominent example is online slots, which have spawned countless variants for different player preferences and niche interests.
Developers listen to player feedback now more than ever, and because of this, the games have consistently improved in quality over the years. The active crypto communities and their involvement can be partly attributed to this shift in the online gaming market. Much of this system is similar to how modern video game development works.
What To Expect From Cryptocurrency In 2025
2024 was a wild ride for crypto—not only did bitcoin hit a new milestone, but memecoins and AI-powered tokens also made headlines.
But what does this mean for the online gaming market? Economies of games based on cryptocurrencies and meme coins, as well as crypto casino games, saw a big player engagement. This year we might see an even bigger rise in player engagement, especially because of AI startups stepping up their game.
According to one study, the gambling market is set to grow to $117.5 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. However, many aspects of the gambling market are unpredictable, especially the games that are tied with cryptocurrencies. Many projections in early 2024 didn’t account for Bitcoin climbing to $100k, and we saw the gaming market surpass many expectations towards the end. We may see a similar trend this year.
Some experts see bitcoin reaching US$200,000 by the end of 2025, and if this happens, the changes in the gaming industry will be phenomenal. Despite online platforms supporting various cryptocurrencies, bitcoin remains the most popular choice, and this is unlikely to change any time soon. We know for a fact that the crypto industry is influencing other sectors, but this year changes might actually be noticeable to the masses. Projects that combine AI and decentralized networks will open up new investment opportunities for both game developers and regular people.
