Disclaimer: This article is based on a press release and includes promotional claims from market participants. Readers should independently verify the information and assess the risks involved.
After the breakout of DeFi and NFTs, GameFi is being pitched as the next major theme in crypto. The release cites Google Trends data showing that global search interest for “GameFi” rose by more than 100% in five months, suggesting that the concept is gaining traction beyond the blockchain niche and into the broader gaming and finance landscape.
GameFi generally refers to the combination of blockchain gaming and decentralized finance, built around the play-to-earn model. Unlike traditional games, where users often pay for in-game advantages, GameFi projects promise token or NFT-based rewards that can potentially translate into real-world value. According to the release, in-game assets such as character cards and virtual land can be held as NFTs on public blockchains, making ownership easier to verify and transfers more open. Elements of DeFi, including staking, are also being integrated into gaming ecosystems to create additional reward mechanisms.
LBank expands into the GameFi segment
Against that backdrop, crypto exchange LBank said it has launched a dedicated GameFi fund aimed at supporting early-stage projects and helping them expand their presence in the blockchain market. The release says the exchange, which has focused on emerging crypto projects, is extending its business model toward the GameFi community following earlier waves in DeFi and NFTs.
The press release also highlighted several GameFi-related tokens listed on LBank. Star Atlas (ATLAS), built on Solana, was said to have traded at $0.078 at launch and later posted a peak gain of 1,282,000%. CryptoMines (ETERNAL), operating on Binance Smart Chain, reportedly traded at around $40 when it launched on LBank and later reached a peak gain of 12,400%. Illuvium (ILV), used for rewards, governance and vault-related participation in its ecosystem, was said to have launched at about $15 and later recorded a top gain of 9,900%. The release also pointed to Axie Infinity (AXS), one of the best-known blockchain gaming tokens, saying it traded at around $2 at launch and eventually reached a peak gain of 8,300%.
Opportunity narrative comes with caveats
The appeal of GameFi lies in its promise to shift part of the value created in games from publishers to players. In the release’s framing, tokens and NFTs give users stronger control over in-game assets and may allow people with internet access and a computer to generate income online through gameplay.
Still, the material is promotional in nature, and the market data and growth claims should be read with caution. GameFi remains an early-stage sector where token volatility, user retention, project sustainability and regulation can all materially affect long-term outcomes.
The release added that LBank, founded in 2015, serves more than 6.4 million users across over 210 countries and regions, offering crypto trading, derivatives and asset management services.