Blockchain games see 3x year-on-year rise in activity for January: DappRadar

From cointelegraph by Stephen Katte

Blockchain gaming in January saw a threefold increase in onchain activity compared to the same time a year ago, a new report from blockchain analytics platform DappRadar shows.

Web3 games saw over 7 million  unique active wallets  (UAW) a day last month — a 386% increase compared to January 2024, according to DappRadar’s Feb. 13 gaming  report .

“This growth signals strong momentum and underscores the industry’s resilience despite short-term fluctuations,” DappRadar analyst Sara Gherghelas said. 

Gherghelas said that blockchain gaming is “entering a phase of maturation” and pointed to layer-2 advancements,  evolving token economies  and AAA collaborations — such as  Gunzilla Games’ Off The Grid .

Blockchain gaming saw over 7 million unique active wallets per day in January 2025, a 386% increase compared to January 2024. Source:  DappRadar

“New gaming ecosystems are emerging, AI is gaining traction, and top-performing titles are refining their gameplay mechanics, reward structures, and community engagement,” she added.

OpBNB was the top-performing gaming blockchain in January, with Matchain coming in second, while Polygon saw a 100% increase in gaming activity compared to the previous month.

Gherghelas says there were also new ecosystems that showed growth, which, while not all met the “traditional AAA gaming standard,” still demonstrated “technical advancements and creative approaches shaping the future of blockchain gaming.”

DappRadar reported artificial intelligence-powered apps are also gaining traction, with multiple projects integrating AI elements into gameplay, mirroring a broader trend across the industry.

On Feb. 6, stablecoin issuer Tether announced it is  venturing into AI applications . CEO Paolo Ardoino said the firm is developing an AI translator, voice assistant and a Bitcoin 

BTC$96,660wallet assistant. 

Across the entire DApp Ecosystem, there were 26.7 million daily UAW, with DeFi continuing to slightly outpace gaming by a margin of 1%.

DeFi continued to have the most UAW across the entire DApp Ecosystem. Source:  DappRadar

Meanwhile, investment in blockchain games experienced a downturn,  with 2024 recording $1.8 billion in blockchain gaming  and metaverse projects, marking a 38% decline year-over-year.

Gherghelas says the drop aligns with broader economic trends and reflects a shift toward “deploying previously raised capital into active projects.”

“While investment figures started on a conservative note, key funding rounds signal continued confidence in Web3 gaming infrastructure and innovation,” she added.