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NFT Gaming

This Week in Crypto Games: GameStop Buys Bitcoin, More Ethereum Games Close Up Shop

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It’s tough to keep tabs on the ever-changing crypto gaming space, thanks to the constant flow of news: everything from big game launches and fun degen experiments to token price swings and occasional project collapses. It’s a lot to follow.

Luckily, we’re plugged in at Decrypt’s GG. We cover the biggest happenings throughout the week, and then this weekly roundup provides a quick way to catch up, as well as find a bunch of other little bits of news from throughout the week.

Top stories

GameStop buys Bitcoin: GameStop, the video game retailer that’s made waves in recent years as a meme stock, announced Wednesday that it purchased 4,710 Bitcoin, worth $512 million at the time, to establish a corporate Bitcoin treasury. This follows a $1.5 billion convertible notes offering that closed at the start of April, after the company said in late March that it would add BTC as a reserve asset.

CEO Ryan Cohen said he views Bitcoin as a hedge against currency devaluation and systemic risk, and added that he won’t reveal future purchase timing or strategy. GameStop joins other public companies following Strategy’s Bitcoin playbook, including Tesla and crypto mining firms holding billions in Bitcoin. Other companies are diversifying beyond Bitcoin, with SharpLink Gaming recently raising $425 million to buy Ethereum.

GameStop became a meme stock in 2021 when Reddit users triggered a massive short squeeze against hedge funds. Cohen acknowledged in an interview at Bitcoin 2025 this week that the company was struggling when he joined in 2021, facing pressure from the shift to digital game downloads.

Shares in GameStop (GME) fell sharply on Wednesday, down 11% by the end of trading, and continued sliding on Thursday. On Friday, rose less than 1% to finish below a price of $30, down almost 3% over the last week.



More games go offline: Two Ethereum-based games on the Ronin network, Realms of Alurya and Wonder Wars, have gone offline due to funding difficulties, highlighting broader struggles in crypto gaming.

Hello Monster, developer of Wonder Wars, said it couldn’t secure necessary funding for continued live service operations or achieve sustainable profitability metrics. The team decided against launching its utility token, calling it dishonest to rely on pure speculation.

Realms of Alurya faces similar closure after claiming that publisher Treasure abruptly terminated its exclusivity contract and funding support, amid Treasure’s recent restructuring and pivot to AI. The developers admitted that over-reliance on their publisher was a mistake, saying they were “shocked” by the sudden funding withdrawal that derailed their yearly roadmap.

These shutdowns reflect a growing trend in crypto gaming, with recent closures including Nyan Heroes, Ember Sword, The Mystery Society, and The Walking Dead: Empires (set for a July end), with commonly cited issues including funding struggles and/or a lack of players. Gaming tokens have also struggled, with only Immutable’s IMX remaining in the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

ICYMI

  • Bored Ape Yacht Club maker Yuga Labs sold the Moonbirds IP to Orange Cap Games, the startup behind Abstract-based trading card game, Vibes. Yuga is refocusing on the Apes after also recently selling the Meebits and CryptoPunks IP.

The beautiful game just got bolder ⚽️🔥

Here’s your first look at FIFA Rivals gameplay, the fast-paced, arcade-style football game built for mobile 📲

Comment if you’re ready for FIFA Summer 👇 pic.twitter.com/EWMenBnYeO

— FIFA Rivals (@FIFARivals) May 29, 2025

  • Solana meme coin bonk is teasing a game launch for Monday, developed by BR1 creator Bravo Ready Games.
  • Avalanche-based hero shooter BloodLoop has resurfaced with plans to launch the 5v5 game this month.

Is BloodLoop still alive? ☠️

Short answer: yes.
Long answer: we’re launching.

The market’s rough right now. Studios are going silent. Some are shutting down completely. And yeah — when you don’t hear from a project for a bit, the assumption is: they’re out of money, or out of… pic.twitter.com/TZaOmOZEvS

— BloodLoop🔺 | Hero-Shooter (@BloodLoopGAME) May 26, 2025

Introducing Cyberlancers! 🦿

You’ll find them in HEXes and loot piles, begging to be unleashed. Activate them and launch yourself into enemies like a missile with trust issues.

There’s a blade. It goes in. They bleed. You win.

🎥 Watch in 4K: 🔗 https://t.co/4bDzdor1iF pic.twitter.com/TXZKtYiSXf

— Off The Grid (@playoffthegrid) May 30, 2025

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Atomfall's first expansion takes you to a wicked new island when it arrives next week
Game Updates

Atomfall’s first expansion takes you to a wicked new island when it arrives next week

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Developer Rebellion Developments revealed a first look at Atomfall’s first DLC expansion yesterday. Titled Wicked Isle, it unsurprisingly brings you to an island called Midsummer Island that is, in fact, a bit wicked, but like, in the bad way, not in the something a teen in the 2000s would say about something they like kind of way. Specifically it’ll have a bit more of a folk horror vibe to it, which I’m certainly into conceptually. Lots of great folklore in the UK, as long as it’s not stepping over frequently trodden upon territory.


Rebellion head of design Ben Fisher explains that the island is “close to the Windscale Atom Plant and as a result the levels of infection in both the people and environment are higher than on the mainland.” It’ll feature new enemies like pirate bandits and infected druids to fight, though you’ll get some new weapons to fend them off in kind. That includes things like a blunderbuss shotgun, a cutlass, daggers, a new bow, and a beekeeper’s staff. You know, the typical kind of things you find on a creepy island.

Watch on YouTube


The completionists amongst you might also like to know (or dread to hear depending on how much you liked the game) that some of the new storylines can lead to new endings in the base game. No details on what those are, obviously, but I suppose the joy of experiencing things for the first time is just that!


There’s a release date for the expansion too: June 3rd, just a few days away at the time of writing. Let’s all see how it shapes up, as our own James found himself left wanting a bit with a lot of what Atomfall had to offer in his own review of the RPG.



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Atomfall receives first story expansion next week, here's a look at gameplay
Game Reviews

Atomfall receives first story expansion next week, here’s a look at gameplay

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British post-apocalyptic action game Atomfall will receive its first story expansion next week, adding an entirely new island to explore.

Titled Wicked Isle, the expansion draws on the folk horror elements of the base game with its Midsummer Island setting. It adds new characters, skills, weapons, and even new endings.

The expansion will be released on 3rd June. Below is a fresh gameplay trailer with further details.

Official Atomfall: Wicked Isle Gameplay Overview TrailerWatch on YouTube

“Midsummer is located close to the Windscale Atom Plant and as a result the levels of infection in both the people and environment are higher than on the mainland,” said Ben Fisher, head of design at developer Rebellion.

“You are going to meet new enemy factions including pirate bandits and infected druids. To help you survive there are new weapons to be found on the island including a devastating Blunderbuss shotgun, a new bow, cutlass, daggers and the Beekeeper’s Staff. You will also be able to acquire new skills which will aid you on your quest as well as an upgraded metal detector which will enable you to find even more loot caches.”

The DLC will cost £14.99 / €19.99 / $19.99, and will be available across all platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and PC (Steam, Epic, Windows). Game Pass subscribers will receive a 10 percent discount.

Atomfall released back in March and was quickly described as a British Fallout. It’s inspired by the real life Windscale nuclear incident in 1950s Cumbria, in northern England.

Over 2.5 million people have played Atomfall since launch.

“Atomfall is largely competent in a lot of areas rather than being unique or genre-leading, but I really enjoyed the world that Rebellion created, the duplicitous main characters, and the post-war sci-fi story,” reads our Eurogamer Atomfall review.



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Elden Ring Nightreign Patch Coming Next Week To Make Solo Expeditions Easier
Game Updates

Elden Ring Nightreign Patch Coming Next Week To Make Solo Expeditions Easier

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Elden Ring Nightreign launched today and in less than 24 hours, the game already has 2 million players. While it is designed as a three-player co-op roguelite experience, you can also play Nightreign solo… but it’s really, really hard. Fortunately, From Software is listening to players and releasing a patch next week to make solo expeditions easier.

The studio announced this patch on the official Elden Ring X account, stating Patch 1.02 arrives next week and includes several bug fixes and improvements for solo expeditions. As for what to expect, From Software says the effect, “Automatic Revival Upon Defeat,” which allows revival once per night boss battle, will be added to solo expeditions, and the amount of runes gained will be increased.

 

This should make the entire experience easier for solo players, as increased runes will allow them to level up faster. And having the ability to revive once per night boss battle will give players more of a fighting chance in Nightreign’s various fights. From Software says further details about Patch 1.02 will be provided next week.

In the meantime, read Game Informer’s Elden Ring Nightreign review and then check out Game Informer’s beginner tips and tricks for Elden Ring Nightreign. After that, read about how an Elden Ring live-action movie is in the works and is circling Heartstopper’s Kit Connor as the lead.

Have you tried a solo expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign? Let us know how you did in the comments below!



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Elden Ring Nightreign is getting another patch next week to improve solo play
Game Updates

Elden Ring Nightreign is getting another patch next week to improve solo play

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Elden Ring Nightreign will receive another patch next week to make improvements for solo players.

FromSoftware’s multiplayer spin-off has already received a day one patch that brought balance adjustments. And there’s more to come.

Next week, patch 1.02 will be released, adding an automatic revival effect once per Nightlord battle for solo expeditions. Further, the amount of runes acquired will be increased.

Elden Ring Nightreign For Dummies: Basics For EVERYTHING You Need to Know (But Were Afraid to Ask)Watch on YouTube

Nightreign released earlier today and has already seen strong numbers of concurrent players on Steam, although it’s received a Mixed reception due to players criticising the lack of duo option and in-game communication features.

Indeed, many players have criticised the studio – known for its single-player games – for creating a multiplayer game, although solo play is an option.

The following improvements for solo expeditions will be added to the game:
– The effect “Automatic Revival Upon Defeat”, which allows revival once per night boss battle, will be added to solo expeditions.
– The amount of runes gained will be increased.
Thank you for your support.

— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) May 30, 2025

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As I wrote earlier today, I would not recommend Nightreign as a solo game at this point as it’s clearly not the intended way to play.

However, it seems FromSoftware is aiming to respond to the current backlash to make solo play more feasible.

The studio previously stated it was considering a two-player option post-launch, acknowledging it was “something that was overlooked during development”.

“FromSoftware’s multiplayer spin-off is an exhilarating rush and a celebration of the studio’s prior achievements Souls veterans will devour,” I wrote in our Elden Ring Nightreign review.





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Gaming Gear

Target reveals it will have Nintendo Switch 2 stock next week

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  • Target will have Nintendo Switch 2 stock on launch day
  • You will need to arrive ahead of store opening hours
  • A ticketing system will be in place

US retail giant Target has confirmed that it will have Nintendo Switch 2 stock next week.

In a recent press release, Target described the June 5 console launch as “a huge deal for gamers” and confirmed that the store’s online Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders sold out in less than two hours when they went live on April 24.

It also confirms that both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle will be available in Target stores on June 5. This is in addition to games, amiibo, and other accessories.


You may like

The retailer has also outlined the process for buying a Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5.

It suggests arriving ahead of store opening hours. Once you are there, you need to begin lining up at a “designated queuing location” near the entrance. Staff members will distribute tickets, which will reserve your product for purchase on opening.

The tickets will be offered until they have all been claimed, or ten minutes before the store opens – so don’t expect to get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 if you rock up later in the day.

To try and mitigate some of the demand, there will be a purchase limit of one Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World Bundle per customer.

If you don’t manage to make it on the day, more stock will be available via the Target website and app on June 6.

You might also like…



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GAME cancels some Switch 2 online pre-orders a week before launch
Game Updates

GAME cancels some Switch 2 online pre-orders a week before launch

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UK retailer GAME has admitted it’s cancelled a number of Switch 2 online pre-orders.

It’s unclear how many customers may be affected by the cancellations, or why they’ve occurred.

GAME shared the news on social media, where it added it’s aiming to “reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible”. However, the retailer (like many) is not accepting new pre-orders on its website.

“We sincerely apologise for the recent cancellation of some Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders,” the statement on social media reads. “We understand how disappointing this is, especially for those who have been eagerly awaiting their order.

“We’re currently working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible. If your order was impacted, please know that we’re doing everything we can and will be in touch with further updates and next steps.”

Eurogamer has contacted GAME for clarification on why these cancellations have occurred.

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As previously reported, GAME does not have in-store pre-orders available for Switch 2. The retailer had a “small allocation” of consoles available online instead – and now that’s been hit by these cancellation issues.

By contrast, UK retailer Smyths will be holding midnight launches for the console, for those who pre-ordered for in-store collection. Limited stock will be available in-store for purchase.

If you selected Click & Collect for your Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order, you can pick it up from 12:01am–12:30am on 5th June! ⏰🛍️

📍All stores open for collection
🪪 Don’t forget your photo ID
⚠️ Limited stock available in-store for purchase

Get ready to level up at midnight! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/m9JvHTMRFg

— Smyths Toys UK (@SmythsToysUK) May 28, 2025

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This issue with GAME will likely come as no surprise to recent customers. Last year, the retailer acknowledged issues with its website as customers awaited pre-orders – most notably the Silent Hill 2 steelbook.

Eurogamer then reported on the fall of GAME, which has been beset by issues since it was acquired by Frasers Group.

Alongside the decision not to have in-store Switch 2 pre-orders, GAME closed its head office and main warehouse in Basingstoke, UK, resulting in job losses. It then auctioned off various fixtures and fittings.





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Bitcoin
NFT Gaming

Sen. Lummis Gears Up To Present 1 Million Bitcoin Acquisition Bill To The Senate Next Week

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

At the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Senator Cynthia Lummis, a staunch advocate for BTC and cryptocurrencies, announced that President Donald Trump supports the upcoming Bitcoin Act, which aims to facilitate the purchase of 1 million BTC and is expected to be introduced to Congress next week.

Long-Term Bitcoin Investment Strategy

Originally proposed by Lummis on July 31, 2024, the legislation seeks to establish a strategic BTC reserve for the US government, serving as an additional store of value to strengthen the nation’s balance sheet. 

The bill outlines a BTC Purchase Program designed to acquire approximately 5% of the total Bitcoin supply over a five-year period, mirroring the scale of US gold reserves. The BTC acquired would be held for a minimum of 20 years, ensuring a long-term investment strategy.

Following challenges faced by the previous administration under President Joe Biden, Lummis reintroduced the bill in March of this year, emphasizing the importance of institutional support for Bitcoin. 

A number of crypto industry leaders have also suggested innovative ways to implement this executive order, including proposals to use BTC for refinancing national debt.

US Government May Hold 200,000 BTC

One notable suggestion comes from the Bitcoin Policy Institute, which proposed the introduction of “BitBonds.” These would be structured US Treasury bonds that allocate 90% of the proceeds to traditional funding operations, while 10% would go toward BTC acquisition. 

The Institute estimates that, assuming a scale of $2 trillion in BitBonds, this initiative could generate annual interest savings of approximately $700 billion over a decade.

Matthew Sigel, head of digital asset research at VanEck, echoed this proposal during the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Summit on April 15. 

VanEck’s plan also includes a similar 90%-10% bond structure, offering investors potential BTC gains with a cap of 4.5% annual yield. Any gains exceeding this threshold would be split equally between the government and bondholders.

While Lummis is enthusiastic about advancing the Bitcoin Act, the path to full Congressional approval remains uncertain. The success of the bill will depend on garnering support from her Senate colleagues, critical for increasing the nation’s Bitcoin holdings.

Fox journalist Eleanor Terret reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Lummis indicated the US government currently holds around 200,000 BTC. However, she noted that the information is not fully transparent due to classification following a mandated audit from the White House. 

The daily chart shows BTC’s price pullback. Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com

When writing, the market’s leading cryptocurrency trades at $108,975, recording a slight retrace of 0.5% in the 24-hour time frame and 2.5% when compared to its record high of $111,800 reached last week. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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$3.3 Billion Floods Into Crypto in One Week—What’s Fueling the Surge?
Crypto Trends

$3.3 Billion Floods Into Crypto in One Week, What’s Fueling the Surge?

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Crypto asset investment products continued to see significant inflows last week, according to CoinShares’ latest weekly report. The firm reported $3.3 billion in inflows during the week ending May 24, pushing the year-to-date (YTD) total to $10.8 billion, a new record for 2024.

This marks the sixth consecutive week of inflows, signaling sustained investor demand for crypto assets amid growing macroeconomic concerns. CoinShares noted that total assets under management (AuM) briefly reached a new all-time high of $187.5 billion earlier in the week before retreating slightly.

Bitcoin and Ethereum Dominate Institutional Interest

Bitcoin once again led the inflow charts, attracting $2.9 billion last week, bringing its share of 2024 inflows to over 25%. The report also noted that some investors used the price strength as a chance to open short positions.

Short-Bitcoin products recorded their largest weekly inflow since December 2024, totaling $12.7 million. The mixed behavior among traders highlights ongoing divergence in sentiment regarding Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory.

Crypto asset fund flows. | Source: CoinShares

Ethereum followed with $326 million in inflows, marking its strongest week in more than three months and continuing a five-week streak of positive sentiment. The increase in Ethereum-related flows comes amid improving investor confidence in its fundamentals and broader market positioning.

Other notable movements include the end of XRP’s long-standing inflow streak. The asset saw $37.2 million in outflows last week, breaking an 80-week streak and marking its largest recorded weekly exit.

While XRP had previously been seen as a more stable option among altcoins, this reversal may indicate a shift in investor sentiment or portfolio rebalancing.

📈 Digital Asset Inflows Hit $3.3B in a Week, Driving YTD Total to Record $10.8B

Digital asset investment products saw inflows of US$3.3B last week. @Bitcoin saw inflows of US$2.9B @ethereum also saw inflows of US$326M. $XRP saw outflows of US$37.2M. Year-to-date inflows have… pic.twitter.com/eLnu5HfK8a

— CoinShares (@CoinSharesCo) May 26, 2025

Geographic Trends and Market Implications

The US accounted for the lion’s share of global inflows, with $3.2 billion recorded last week. Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia also posted notable gains at $41.5 million, $33.3 million, and $10.9 million respectively.

Crypto asset fund flows by region. | Source: CoinShares

Conversely, Switzerland experienced $16.6 million in outflows as investors locked in profits following recent price strength. These regional flows reflect differing risk appetites and macro outlooks among institutional investors.

James Butterfill, head of research at CoinShares, commented that the inflow activity reflects investors seeking diversification amid macroeconomic uncertainties. Butterfill said.

We believe that growing concerns over the U.S. economy, driven by the Moody’s downgrade and the resulting spike in treasury yields, have prompted investors to seek diversification through digital assets.

As inflows remain strong and AuM approaches new highs, attention may now turn to how regulators respond to growing institutional interest in crypto products. The recent surge in activity could influence policy discussions around digital assets in both the US and international markets.

The global digital currency market cap valuation. | Source: TradingView.com

Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.





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Crypto Trends

This Week in Crypto Games: ‘Off the Grid’ Coming to Steam, Ethereum’s ‘Ember Sword’ Shuts Down

by admin



It’s tough to keep tabs on the ever-changing crypto gaming space, thanks to the constant flow of news: everything from big game launches and fun degen experiments to token price swings and occasional project collapses. It’s a lot to follow.

Luckily, we’re plugged in at Decrypt’s GG. We cover the biggest happenings throughout the week, and then this weekly roundup provides a quick way to catch up, as well as find a bunch of other little bits of news from throughout the week.

Top stories

Off the Grid NFT sales, Steam plans: Avalanche-powered battle royale shooter game Off the Grid is gradually transitioning its players from testnet to the GUNZ mainnet, enabling real cryptocurrency trading of in-game items for GUN tokens. Currently, only about 0.13% of the game’s 16.5 million players can access the mainnet marketplace, yet high-value trades are already occurring.

Notable recent sales include a Prankster tactical vest for $2,393, a ZipperMouth mask for $1,100, and various other rare items fetching hundreds to thousands of dollars. The most coveted items are ultra-rare Pioneer and Legacy weapons, which collectors are holding onto expecting future updates that could drive five-figure sales.

Off the Grid plans to expand to Steam in June, despite Steam’s 2021 ban on blockchain games. Gunzilla Games has yet to explain how this will work, though the game is also available on PlayStation and Xbox, which similarly restrict crypto features.

Ember Sword ends: Ember Sword, an Ethereum-based MMORPG, has shut down due to lack of funding. Developer Bright Star Studios, despite attracting prominent investors and gaming industry veterans as advisors, said it couldn’t secure continued financing in the current market climate.

The game launched during the 2021 metaverse boom, attracting nearly 35,000 players that pledged $203 million for its land sale, though the actual amount raised was apparently far less than that eye-popping figure. The game faced disappointing reception when it entered closed beta in July 2024, and its EMBER token has now crashed over 99% from peak levels.

This closure reflects a broader trend of crypto game shutdowns, with recent casualties including Nyan Heroes, Blast Royale, and Tatsumeeko all closing within the same period, plus other prominent 2025 closures including Deadrop and The Mystery Society. The wave of closures highlights the funding challenges facing blockchain gaming projects in the current market environment.



ICYMI

  • Ubisoft has relaunched Champions Tactics on Steam as Champions Tactics: Reforged, which lacks the NFT marketplace and benefits for holders. Decrypt is seeking further clarification on the changes.
  • Yield Guild Games launched LOL Land, a board game-inspired experience from its new publishing division, on Ethereum layer-2 network Abstract.
  • Mythical Games’ upcoming mobile blockchain soccer game FIFA Rivals has opened pre-registrations on Google’s Android Play Store.

The @ParallelTCG Prime League Season 2 Open III is the first Post-Shotgun Patch competition, kicking off May 30th at 10pm ET / May 31st at 2am UTC!

We’re keeping the two Swiss bracket qualifiers for our global playerbase, with the Top 16 competing for $2500 in prizes and league… pic.twitter.com/F5Um9Qhlko

— Parallel League (@Parallel_League) May 23, 2025

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Get the latest web3 gaming news, hear directly from gaming studios and influencers covering the space, and receive power-ups from our partners.





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