Crypto: The Game
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Gaming, Cryptocurrency |
| Founded | January 2024 |
| Founders |
|
| Parent | Uniswap |
| Website | cryptothegame |
Crypto: The Game (CTG) is a browser-based interactive survival game that combines blockchain mechanics with multiplayer elimination challenges.[1] It has been compared to reality shows such as Survivor, Squid Game, and The Hunger Games.[1][2]
Development and seasons
Crypto: The Game was created by Dylan Abruscato, Tyler Cagle, and Bryan Lee, and launched in January 2024 with 410 players paying a cryptocurrency entry fee.[2] The second season, "Anon Island", premiered in April 2024, adding NFT-based anonymous entries and a prize pool of 80 ETH (approximately $140,000 at the time).[3]
The season featured brand integrations with Adidas, which created co-branded tracksuits for contestants,[4] while crypto-native companies including Uniswap, Lens, Wormhole, POAP, and Safe sponsored in-game challenges.[3] In June 2024, Uniswap acquired the project in a deal involving cash, tokens, and equity. The second season was sold out in 13 minutes.[2]
The third season, "Resurrection Island", debuted in March 2025 with 716 players and introduced a twist that allowed eliminated contestants to return through special challenges.[5] Across all three seasons, the format remained largely consistent, with daily challenges, nightly eliminations, and a final jury vote to determine the winner.
Format and gameplay
Players pay an entry fee of 0.1 ETH (approximately $200) and are placed into one of ten tribes.[1] Each day, tribes compete in browser-based minigames including Flappy Bird-style arcade games, digital scavenger hunts, and logic puzzles.[1]
The losing tribes must vote to eliminate players.[1] Midway through the season, the tribes merge and players compete individually. A jury of eliminated contestants selects the winner at the end.[6]
Reception
A Wired reporter embedded anonymously in Season 3 and described the experience as socially complex and time-intensive.[1] The game has also been covered by media outlets such as Fortune, Axios, GoldDerby, and Variety.[2][4][7][8]
Crypto: The Game was submitted for consideration at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Emerging Media Program category.[8][6] Variety included it in its preview coverage as one of the standout entries in the emerging media category.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Khalili, Joel (March 26, 2025). "I Went Undercover in Crypto's Answer to 'Squid Game.' It Nearly Broke Me". Wired. Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Rowe, Niamh (June 10, 2024). "Uniswap Labs acquires 'Crypto: The Game'—'It's ballooned into this 24/7 crypto reality show'". Fortune. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Jafery, Reza (April 2, 2024). "Crypto: The Game Gets Bigger With Season 2, Remains a Viral Hit". Decrypt.
- ^ a b Kim, Crystal (April 11, 2024). "Exclusive: Adidas quietly steps into crypto gaming partnership". Axios.
- ^ Jafery, Reza (March 5, 2025). "Crypto: The Game Goes Bigger for Season 3 With Uniswap Labs". Decrypt. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "How Crypto: The Game Brings Survivor-like Competition to Online". Television Academy. Archived from the original on 2025-06-12. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
- ^ Dixon, Marcus James (May 1, 2025). "How one 'obsessive' reality TV fan created 'Crypto: The Game,' an emerging media contender that's poised to shake up the Emmys". GoldDerby. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Davis, Clayton (June 12, 2025). "Emmy Voting Opens With 600 Program Series Submissions". Variety. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (June 13, 2025). "Emmy Predictions: All 118 Categories Updated as Voting Opens With Tight Races and Major Shakeups". Variety. Archived from the original on July 10, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.