GameFi is a mix of gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi). Games in this sector run on blockchain technology, which means everything — from your character’s outfit to your in-game land — can be owned, traded, and sold by players using crypto.
Players earn rewards in the form of:
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Tokens (cryptocurrencies)
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NFTs (unique in-game assets)
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Virtual real estate, avatars, or tools
These rewards can often be exchanged for real-world money. It’s all possible thanks to the Play-to-Earn (P2E) model, which flips the traditional pay-to-win formula on its head.
What is Play-to-Earn?
In traditional games, players often spend money to unlock content, buy gear, or boost progress. But in Play-to-Earn, you get paid — in crypto — for your achievements in the game.
You might:
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Win tokens for defeating enemies
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Collect and sell rare NFT items
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Rent out your land or character to other players for passive income
Of course, earning in GameFi isn’t just about luck — it takes strategy, consistency, and skill. Some games require completing quests, battling others, or building complex structures to earn real rewards.
Why is GameFi a Big Deal?
Before GameFi, most games were built on centralized servers — which meant developers could shut down the game at any time. Players never really owned their assets. Even after spending money on gear or characters, you couldn’t do anything with them outside the game.
GameFi changes that. Because it runs on blockchain, players can:
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Truly own their in-game items
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Trade them freely
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Convert digital rewards into real income
This isn’t just exciting for gamers — it’s also attracting investors, creators, and crypto enthusiasts who see the potential of merging finance and entertainment.
How GameFi Works
Each GameFi project has its own economy, but they usually include:
NFTs
NFTs represent in-game assets like characters, skins, weapons, and land. These can be bought, sold, and traded on marketplaces for real crypto.
DeFi
Many GameFi platforms offer DeFi features — like staking, lending, or renting assets — that let players earn passive income even when they’re not actively playing.
For example:
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In Decentraland or The Sandbox, you can rent out your virtual land.
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Some players lend their NFT characters to others and earn a share of the profits.
Getting Started with GameFi
Feeling ready to dive in? Here’s how to begin:
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Create a crypto wallet
Choose a wallet that’s compatible with the game you want to try (e.g. MetaMask or Phantom). -
Add funds
You’ll need some crypto (usually ETH, MATIC, or SOL) to start, depending on the game. -
Buy game assets (if needed)
Some games are free-to-play, while others require buying NFTs to start (for example, Axie Infinity requires three Axies to begin playing). -
Start playing and earning
Once you’re in, the rewards depend on your time, strategy, and the game’s design.
Most Popular GameFi Projects (as of September 9, 2025)
Axie Infinity
Axie Infinity remains the leader. Following the successful conclusion of Origins Season 13, the community is preparing for the launch of Origins Season 14, which is set to introduce new mechanics and rewards. The creators are focused on developing the Ronin ecosystem, including permanent additions like NFT capsules and new mini-games.
The Sandbox
The Sandbox continues its partnerships with major brands, strengthening its position as a virtual playground. After recent creator challenges, the platform is concentrating on expanding its multiplayer mode, which is expected to encourage the creation of more complex and interactive experiences.
Decentraland
Decentraland is consistently developing its foundations. After the festival in June, the platform focused on introducing new features. The beta version of the Career Quest mode has been made available to a larger group of users. A major protocol update can be expected in the coming weeks.
Illuvium
Illuvium is one of the hottest games in GameFi. Following the successful launch of the Overworld mode, developers are focusing on expanding competitive mechanics. The first major guild tournament is scheduled for this month, with high-value rewards in ILV tokens.
Star Atlas
Star Atlas is making significant progress in its cosmic universe. After introducing key updates, the team is working on the full integration of the browser-based Holosim version with the main game client on the Unreal Engine 5, which is highly anticipated by fans.
Gods Unchained
Gods Unchained, a popular card game, still holds a strong position. The introduction of the new mini-card expansion, “Divine Judgement,” at the end of August significantly revitalized player interest, while the ongoing Battle Pass Season 3 motivates continuous competition.
My Neighbor Alice
My Neighbor Alice is developing according to plan. After the conclusion of its first campaign, the team published a detailed roadmap for Chapter Two. It will focus on expanding social features and improving trading between players.
Splinterlands
Splinterlands, a dynamic card game, is continuously evolving. Following the successful implementation of a new reward system, the current ranked season is enjoying high popularity. The creators are working on further increasing the utility of the SPS token, which is intended to encourage more strategic gameplay.
What’s Next for GameFi?
The future looks strong. Reports from DappRadar and Blockchain Game Alliance show that over $1 billion was invested in blockchain games in 2022 — and the momentum hasn’t slowed down.
Even traditional gaming companies like Blizzard and Atari are exploring Web3 opportunities. Meanwhile, flagship projects like Decentraland, The Sandbox, and Axie Infinity have reached multi-million dollar valuations.
With over 3 billion gamers worldwide, many of whom would love to earn from their skills and time, GameFi has a massive potential user base.
Summary
GameFi is more than just a trend — it’s a shift in how people see gaming. For the first time, players can truly own their progress, earn real rewards, and participate in decentralized economies.
As metaverse adoption grows and blockchain tech becomes more user-friendly, expect more projects to appear — blending gaming, investing, and social connection in ways we’ve never seen before.
