From Hype to Silence, Blockchain Gaming Hits a Rough Patch

By: crypto news flash|2025/05/16 18:15:05
0
Share
copy
Blockchain gaming activity fell in April as users shifted attention to AI and infrastructure-based apps.Players are now prioritizing engaging gameplay over token rewards and speculative models.In April 2025, the number of daily active wallets in blockchain games plunged to 4.8 million—down 10% from the previous month, according to a report from DappRadar.This is the lowest point of the year, and quite brow-raising, considering that this sector was once a favorite in the previous wave of Web3 adoption. But if you look further, it turns out that the cause is not just because the games are lacking features or are boring to play.Source: DappRadarBlockchain Gaming Faces Shifting Demand as Players Crave Real FunUser interest is indeed shifting. Applications that carry AI technology, for example, actually recorded a 26% spike in users in the same month.At the same time, investors are also starting to be cautious. Funding for blockchain gaming projects only reached $21 million in April, down about 69% from the previous month. Compare that to infrastructure-based projects or real-world assets that are actually increasingly sought after.Furthermore, many market players are starting to realize that the “play for money” model is no longer as attractive as it used to be. Now players are looking for a truly exciting experience, not just chasing tokens whose value can fluctuate faster than the price of chili peppers. Herein lies the challenge—and the opportunity for those who dare to take a new direction.The New Wave: From Movie Fantasy to CricketAlthough the numbers seem to be declining, the innovation in this sector has not stopped. Just imagine if games could be integrated into everyday life.For example, Mogul, a project by MoviePass CEO Stacy Spikes. This game allows players to predict the performance of box office films, then earn digital coins to build a virtual studio. Built on the Sui blockchain, and already having more than 400 thousand registrants, Mogul is an example of gamification that is truly connected to the real world.Not only that, game developers are also starting to target more specific niches. In India, Abhishek Gupta (former co-founder of NFTFN) will release PlayPe, a cricket-based skill game platform between August and September. The concept is more towards a “fantasy sport” that does not just guess, but relies on the player’s strategy and understanding of the match.Meanwhile, South Korean gaming giant Nexon just launched the Web3 version of MapleStory N on May 15. They are not only throwing nostalgia, but also introducing a digital asset ownership feature in the game—plus an NFT airdrop bonus that many of their old fans are hunting for.And don’t forget Tokyo Beast, a game previously reported by CNF. Developed by Japan’s largest Web3 company, this game is ready to launch on Immutable. Interestingly, players can still play even if they don’t have the NFT directly, thanks to the lending system and “gene shuffle” which makes access wider.

You may also like

AI within artillery range

“The cloud” is a metaphor, but the data center isn’t.

March 4th Market Key Intelligence, How Much Did You Miss?

1. On-chain Flows: $39.6M USD inflow to Hyperliquid today; $29.7M USD outflow from Base 2. Largest Price Swings: $EDGE, $POWER 3. Top News: Altman defends Pentagon deal at all-hands, calls backlash "really painful"; OpenAI also seeking NATO contracts

Taking Stock of Crypto's Washington Power Players: Who is Advocating for US Crypto Regulation?

These institutions have jointly defined the industry's underlying values, marking the U.S. crypto industry's shift to a "professionalized, ecological, and refined" era of policy gamesmanship.

DDC Enterprise Limited Announces 2025 Unaudited Preliminary Financial Performance: Record Revenue Achieved, Bitcoin Treasury Grows to 2183 Coins

On March 4, 2026, DDC Enterprise Limited (NYSE American: DDC) today announced preliminary, unaudited full-year financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025. The company expects to achieve record revenue and record positive adjusted EBITDA, primarily driven by continued growth in its core consumer food business and overall margin improvement. The final audited financial report is expected to be released in mid-April 2026.


2025 Full-Year Financial Highlights


Revenue: Expected to be between $39 million and $41 million, reaching a new company high.


Organic Growth: Excluding the impact of the company's strategic contraction of its U.S. operations, core revenue is expected to grow 11% to 17% year over year.


Gross Profit Margin: Expected to be between 28% and 30%, reflecting continued operational efficiency improvements.


Adjusted EBITDA: The company expects to achieve a positive full-year result in 2025, a significant improvement from a $3.5 million loss in 2024, mainly due to rigorous cost controls and a higher-margin sales mix.


Core Consumer Food Business Performance


In 2025, DDC's core consumer food business maintained strong operational performance.


The company also disclosed Core Consumer Food Business Adjusted EBITDA, a metric that further excludes costs related to its Bitcoin reserve strategy and non-cash fair value adjustments related to its Bitcoin holdings from adjusted EBITDA to more accurately reflect the core business performance.


In 2025, Core Consumer Food Business Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $5.5 million and $6 million.


Bitcoin Reserve Update


In the first half of 2025, DDC initiated a long-term Bitcoin accumulation strategy, holding Bitcoin as its primary reserve asset.


As of December 31, 2025: The company holds 1,183 BTC.


As of February 28, 2026: Holdings increased to 2,118 BTC


Today's additional purchase of 65 BTC brings the company's total holdings to 2,183 BTC


DDC Founder, Chairman, and CEO Norma Chu stated, "We are proud to have closed 2025 with record revenue and positive adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating the steady growth of the company's consumer food business and the ongoing improvement in profitability. We are building a disciplined, growth-oriented food platform and strategically allocating capital to Bitcoin assets with a long-term view, aligning with our core beliefs. We believe that this dual-track model of 'Steady Consumer Business + Strategic Bitcoin Reserve' will help DDC create lasting long-term value for shareholders."


Adjusted EBITDA Definition
For the full year 2025, the company defines "Adjusted EBITDA" (a non-GAAP financial measure) as: Net income / (loss) excluding the following items:· Interest expense· Taxes· Foreign exchange gains/losses· Long-lived asset impairment· Depreciation and amortization· Non-cash fair value changes related to financial instruments (including Bitcoin holdings)· Stock-based compensation


About DDC Enterprise Limited


DDC Enterprise Limited (NYSE: DDC) is actively implementing its corporate Bitcoin Treasury strategy while continuing to strengthen its position as a leading global Asian food platform.


The company has established Bitcoin as a core reserve asset and is executing a prudent, long-oriented accumulation strategy. While expanding its portfolio of food brands, DDC is gradually becoming one of the public company pioneers in integrating Bitcoin into its corporate financial architecture.


Uncovering YZi Labs 229 Investment: Over 18% of the portfolio is already inactive, with an average project transparency score of 78

In terms of strategic direction, YZi Labs has begun to extend into areas such as AI and stablecoins, but overall it is still in the layout and validation stage.

The business of crypto VC is becoming promising

Homogenized industries are ultimately fragile; only when different species can emerge does the market truly come alive.