Stablecoins Among the Top Three Growth Catalysts for Web3 Gaming: New Report

Builders in the blockchain gaming space are increasingly emphasizing fundamentals and infrastructure rather than token-driven growth cycles, with the adoption of stablecoins identified as a top three catalyst for the first time, according to the latest report from the Blockchain Gaming Alliance (BGA).

On Wednesday, the BGA released its 2025 State of the Industry Report, highlighting a shift in what builders believe will lead to success in blockchain gaming.

The report indicates that the primary growth drivers are high-quality game launches (29.5%), revenue-focused business models (27.5%), and stablecoin adoption in payments (27.3%).

These findings point to a shift away from speculative cycles and dependence on large Web2 brands, focusing instead on commercially viable games utilizing Web3-native transaction systems.

“The data reflects an industry that is becoming more global, more disciplined, and more focused on creating exceptional games for genuine players,” stated Sebastien Borget, co-president of the BGA and co-founder of The Sandbox.

Evolution of blockchain gaming drivers over five years

The report documented a significant five-year evolution in what blockchain gaming developers consider essential for advancing the sector.

Between 2021 and 2023, survey participants prominently favored external catalysts, such as play-to-earn (P2E) enthusiasm and expectations that major Web2 publishers would legitimize the sector by participating.

By 2024, the focus shifted towards enhancing user experience, accessibility, and onboarding, as friction and repetitive gameplay slowed Web3 gaming adoption.

This year, the survey indicated further maturation. Developers increasingly connected success to polished gameplay, sustainable monetization, and infrastructure that facilitates spending.

Stablecoins, long a significant element of decentralized finance, are now recognized as vital to game economies, the report indicated.

It also suggested that seamless payment experiences, akin to fiat, could enhance the success of Web3 games.

Related: Animoca, Solv to assist Japanese Bitcoin companies in generating yield

Decreasing reliance on Web2 gaming giants

The survey also revealed a steep decline in perceived dependence on traditional gaming giants. Only approximately 17.2% of respondents currently regard legacy publishers as critical growth catalysts, down from 35.8% in 2024.

In place of this, interoperability (26.1%), artificial intelligence integration (25.9%), and player-driven creator economies (25.5%) closely followed the top three growth drivers.

The growing emphasis on stablecoin infrastructure among developers reflects broader policy trends.

Global regulatory frameworks for stablecoins are advancing swiftly, with the United States taking the lead through the GENIUS Act and Europe implementing its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.