Play-to-Earn
A blockchain gaming model where players earn cryptocurrency or NFTs as rewards for in-game activities. Unlike traditional games, players truly own their earned assets and can trade or sell them outside the game.
Why It Matters
Play-to-earn is a model in gaming where players earn real cryptocurrency or assets as rewards for participating. This concept is gaining traction as it combines entertainment with economic incentives, changing the gaming landscape.
Example
For instance, a game might reward players with a token every time they complete a level or win a battle, allowing them to trade or use those tokens in the crypto market.
Beginner Context
For newcomers, play-to-earn highlights the growing intersection of gaming and cryptocurrency. It opens new avenues for earning income while enjoying interactive entertainment.
Mike Starr
Founder, CryptoWizardTools · M.S. Organizational Management
Last reviewed: August 2026
Related Terms
Maxi
Short for "maximalist" — someone who believes only one cryptocurrency (usually Bitcoin) matters and that other coins are unnecessary or inferior. Bitcoin maxis are the most well-known example.
Block Reward
The amount of cryptocurrency awarded to a miner or validator for successfully adding a new block to the blockchain. In Bitcoin, the block reward is halved approximately every four years in an event called the halving.
Paper Trading
Simulated trading using virtual money to practice strategies without risking real funds. Paper trading is a useful way for beginners to learn how markets work and test trading ideas before committing actual capital.
ERC-20
A technical standard for creating fungible tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Most tokens in the DeFi and ICO ecosystems are ERC-20 tokens, including USDT, LINK, and UNI. The standard ensures all tokens work the same way on Ethereum.
Initial Coin Offering
A fundraising mechanism where a blockchain project sells newly created tokens to early investors in exchange for established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. ICOs were especially popular in 2017 but carry significant regulatory risk.