Across online forums, riverfront times gaming, and tech-savvy social media users, one question is being asked more frequently than ever: “What is crypto gaming?” It’s a trend that combines two of the worlds that players are most enthralled by: technology and games. It’s a genre that leverages blockchain, the technology behind cryptocurrencies, to create unique in-game rewards and experiences. And it offers the potential for gamers to earn real money.

The best crypto games offer several monetization opportunities, ranging from earning in-game tokens that can be traded for cash or other digital assets to winning tournaments with cash prizes. Many of the best crypto games also incorporate staking, allowing players to generate passive income streams by locking up their in-game tokens. This is a key feature that sets the most successful games apart from their competitors.

Crypto Gaming Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Next

In addition, the most popular crypto games are those that offer non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are digital tokens secured on a blockchain. These tokens represent ownership of in-game items, such as weapons, avatars, characters, and virtual land. They can be sold, traded, or even rented on internal and external marketplaces. This gives players true ownership of their in-game assets and increases the value and appeal of these assets.

To play these types of games, you’ll need a cryptocurrency wallet. If you don’t have one already, we recommend starting with MetaMask, which is free and works well for most Ethereum-based games, including Axie Infinity. Once you’ve got a wallet, navigate to the game of your choice and follow the instructions to get started.