2024 has become a defining year for the GameFi industry. While previously this sector was primarily associated with niche projects and complex mechanics, we're now witnessing a new trend – leading cryptocurrency exchanges are actively developing their own gaming products.
Instead of complicated mechanics and lengthy user adaptation periods, the new generation of crypto games offers a straightforward and quick format, convenient for both newcomers and experienced players.
But can these games become a trigger for mass crypto adoption?
In this article, we analyze the most popular crypto games from leading exchanges, such as Bull Run, Moonbix, and Coinsweeper, to understand their impact on the GameFi sector. How do these projects differ from each other? What are their advantages? And most importantly - we'll explore whether crypto exchanges can truly make GameFi mainstream.
The Crypto-Clicker Phenomenon: How It All Started
Earlier this year, the crypto community witnessed the emergence of "tappers" or "clickers." It all began with Notcoin, a simple Telegram game where users earned virtual currency by simply tapping their smartphone screens. While the mechanics seemed primitive, the game instantly went viral.
The secret to its success lay in simplicity: users didn't need to install additional apps or understand complex mechanics - they could simply open Telegram and start playing. Thanks to mini-apps, which appeared in the messenger back in 2022, developers gained the ability to create interactive games directly within Telegram.
The success of "tappers" didn't go unnoticed. Major players in the crypto industry, particularly exchanges, saw this trend as an opportunity to attract new audiences. But instead of simply copying the tapping mechanics, they went further, creating more sophisticated and engaging concepts.
The Most Engaging Games from Leading Crypto Exchanges That Have Already Captured Users' Attention
Coinsweeper by Bybit
Source: Bybit Сoinsweeper mini app
Remember the legendary Minesweeper from Windows? Bybit crypto exchange decided to reimagine this timeless classic with Coinsweeper. The team brilliantly combined nostalgic gameplay with real rewards, making it a decisive factor in user engagement.
The game's intuitive interface immediately catches attention: click on a block to discover either a mine that ends the game or a coin with a number from 1 to 3. These numbers hint at how many mines are nearby. Players place flags where they suspect mines and gradually clear the field. Like the original Minesweeper, it requires logical thinking and strategy, though sometimes luck doesn't hurt.
Each successful game earns players points in the overall ranking, with the top 500 players sharing a prize pool of 25,000 MNT. Additionally, players could collect Mantle Bits – token "fragments" that convert into real MNT coins.
Bull Run by WhiteBIT
Source: Bull Run mini app
WhiteBIT cryptocurrency exchange revolutionized the concept of simple "clicker" projects by introducing Bull Run – a full-fledged trading simulator where players predict BTC price movements in real-time. The principle is straightforward: choose your bull and compete with three other players in short, dynamic races.
The game mechanics are simple and intuitive: players see the BTC/USDT chart and have two buttons: "Long" and "Short". A correct price direction prediction accelerates your bull by 5 seconds. If the prediction fails, your bull maintains its current pace. Each race lasts just one minute, but that's enough time to feel the thrill – especially when your prediction works and your bull surges ahead.
The reward system is designed to engage players daily: top players share a prize pool of up to 30,000 USDT in various cryptocurrencies. Competition takes place in two leaderboards - daily and monthly. The daily ranking counts each player's 10 best results per day (from 00:00 to 23:59 UTC), updating every 30 minutes. The monthly table covers the period from November 8 to December 1, 2024, 23:59 UTC, considering each participant's 10 best daily runs. Each user gets 8 free attempts per day, with additional "lives" earned through activity.
This approach makes Bull Run not just a game but a learning simulator for training trading skills, allowing both newcomers and experienced users to develop market movement intuition.
Important: While anyone can play, participating in prize draws requires a verified WhiteBIT account linked to the game.
Moonbix by Binance
Source: Moonbix mini app
Binance joined the crypto gaming trend with their space "clicker" version - Moonbix. The game mechanics reference the legendary Gold Miner from the 90s but with a modern interpretation.
The gameplay is styled as a space gold rush, where players control an astronaut collecting valuable items in outer space. The scoring system is straightforward - large nuggets earn 50 points, medium ones 25, and small ones 10. Each attempt lasts 45 seconds, with six such space ventures allowed per day.
Binance developed a diverse reward system: from daily login bonuses to additional points for completing special tasks and participating in the referral program. The project became particularly attractive after announcing DOGS and NOT token airdrops for active players.
Are Gaming Products from Crypto Exchanges Really Driving Mass Crypto Adoption?
Rather than creating complex mechanics with high entry barriers, exchanges have focused on simplicity, familiar concepts, and quick results. All projects share simple mechanics, clear rules, and earning opportunities without initial investment.
However, It's Not Just About Rewards...
For GameFi to become a truly useful tool in users' transition from Web2 to the next-generation internet, developers must consider the educational aspect of "clicker" projects in introducing newcomers to the crypto world. For instance, Bull Run helps players develop market movement intuition, while Coinsweeper trains logical thinking, which is also valuable for understanding cryptocurrency trading.
It appears that 2024 is indeed becoming a turning point for GameFi. Exchanges are not only offering their users a familiar and attractive entertainment format with earning potential but are also opening doors to a deeper understanding of the crypto market. And while these games don't guarantee stable profits, they make the crypto industry more accessible, understandable, and appealing to a broader audience.
