The Tezos gaming ecosystem experienced an extraordinary 2025, marking unprecedented growth in both active users and on-chain transactions.
In December alone, the platform surpassed 130,000 monthly active users and recorded 4.3 million transactions through its flagship titles. Over the course of the year, the sector transitioned from an experimental phase of blockchain gaming to a mature and structured ecosystem, capable of attracting a global community and solidifying its position among the most dynamic entities in the Web3 landscape.
Exponential Growth and Staggering Numbers
The second quarter of 2025 was particularly significant for Tezos, with the achievement of 440,000 monthly active users between the main blockchain and Etherlink, the EVM-compatible layer. This result demonstrates exponential growth, the fruit of a targeted strategy that successfully combined technological innovation and community engagement.
Sugar Match: The Success Story of 2025
Among the titles that have driven this growth, Sugar Match stands out, a competitive match-3 game launched on August 25, 2025. The game quickly captivated the global audience, amassing 250,000 downloads in over 100 countries and reaching 103,911 monthly active users – the highest figure in the ecosystem.
Sugar Match has established itself as the number one dApp on Etherlink for unique active wallets, also entering the top 30 global games on DappRadar. With 4 million transactions on the Etherlink network and over 1 million games played, the title serves as a concrete example of the potential of Web3 gaming in mainstream adoption.
Gaming as a Gateway to DeFi
One of the most innovative aspects of the Tezos gaming ecosystem is the ability to use gaming as an onboarding tool for DeFi. A prime example is Appleville, a web-native casual game that has surpassed 80,000 monthly active users and generated over 108,000 transactions.
The most surprising data concerns user conversion: about 70% of Appleville players have become AP coin holders and joined the Apple Farm program, transforming from mere gamers into active participants in DeFi, providing liquidity, capital, and engaging in exchanges on Etherlink protocols. This demonstrates how gaming can be an effective gateway for the adoption of decentralized financial instruments.
Strategic Collaborations and Integrations
The year 2025 also witnessed the entry of numerous Web2 studios into the Tezos and Etherlink ecosystems. Among these are Sugar Game Studios with Sugar Match, TapNation with Athletics Rush, BattleTab, Alset Studio with Pikes Arena, and GoLive Games with Cricket Champions. Additionally, Appleville played a central role in the Apple Farm incentive program, strengthening the connection between gaming and DeFi within the Etherlink ecosystem.
Diversification of Offerings and On-Chain Activity
The Tezos gaming ecosystem today supports a diversified portfolio of titles, each capable of generating a significant impact in terms of on-chain activity. In the last quarter of 2025 alone, the numbers speak for themselves:
- Appleville: 80,000 monthly active users and 108,000 transactions, confirming its position as a leader in the farming simulation genre.
- Betmode: Despite having a base of 1,461 monthly active users, it generated 2.74 million transactions (63% of the total), highlighting the potential of predictive markets and betting mechanics.
- Pikes Arena: Recently launched, it recorded 7,201 transactions in the first month, offering a battle royale experience with rewards in XTZ.
- Cricket Champion: It has reached 20,000 monthly active users and 44,000 transactions, leveraging the global popularity of cricket and the gameplay dynamics with blockchain-powered collectible cards.
An Ecosystem Supported by Infrastructure and Backing
The success of vertical gaming on Tezos is also due to a comprehensive support infrastructure: dedicated technical teams, user acquisition support through publishers and both organic and paid channels, grants from the Tezos Foundation for qualified projects, and expert product teams that guide the optimal integration of blockchain technologies into games.
Trilitech’s Vision
Efe Kucuk, Global Head of Gaming at Trilitech, summarized the philosophy behind this success: “The infrastructure in games should be invisible until it truly matters. Games must provide a fun and memorable experience, and this is exactly what Tezos makes possible: no friction, no gimmicks, just permanence when needed.”
Tezos: A Blockchain for the Future of Gaming
Tezos stands out as one of the most innovative and sustainable blockchains, designed to empower institutions, developers, and businesses in creating scalable decentralized applications. Thanks to its Proof of Stake model, Tezos is globally recognized for its advanced governance, long-term upgradeability, and smart contract capabilities. The success of gaming in 2025 represents just one of the many applications of a platform that continues to evolve and lead digital transformation.
For more information about Tezos, you can visit the official website: [www.tezos.com](http://www.tezos.com).
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2026/01/08/tezos-gaming-ecosystem-a-record-breaking-2025-amid-growth-innovation-and-defi/
