With Dogecoin and Bitcoin again in the news for reaching new heights, the hype around the potential of crypto markets regains its similarly upward trajectory. From humble beginnings back in 2009, cryptocurrencies revolutionized the global finance system at a rate only a lucky few predicted. Blockchain technologies have now worked their way into many parts of our lives, and this momentum shows no signs of slowing down.
Many of us understand the importance that crypto now holds, but not many know just how crucial the seemingly disconnected landscape of video gaming has been in getting us here. It’s an interesting tale, with the path of currencies like Bitcoin still intrinsically tied into the video game landscape.
The First Day of Mining
While many of the origins of Bitcoin and its creator Satoshi Nakamoto remain shrouded in mystery, we do at least know how it was and is collected. As explained at Investopedia, the collection process is called mining, and it relies on highly specific calculations from fast-paced computer components. The components best suited to these calculations are graphics processing units, or GPUs.
GPUs are used for many applications in many devices, but by far the most common forms are found in graphics cards. Computer Hope details the history of these cards, noting how they first gained prominence as discrete units around 1996. Though computers before this could manage graphics calculations without cards, the specialized hardware in these additions was far faster, allowing for better-looking games and higher detail in video output.
By the time Bitcoin appeared in 2009, practically every video game enthusiast on PC owned a graphics card. Many PC gamers were also naturally interested in the tech space, which meant they followed the development and potential of crypto mining. Leaving their computers on overnight to mine crypto while they weren’t using them made sense, and that’s where many of the coins that exist today originated.
Opening the Spending Doors of Crypto
A currency you can’t spend is worthless, and it was again gamers who helped prove the viability of direct purchases with various types of cryptocurrencies. The most famous of these efforts appeared in April 2016 when Steam, the biggest PC game marketplace in the world, opened itself to crypto trading. Though this experiment was short-lived, it provided a great way for gamers who mined coins to spend their coin, and other services would follow suit.
After Steam, it was video game key-selling websites that picked up the slack and offered crypto as a means of purchase. The keys available here could then be activated on services like Steam, sidestepping the restrictions that the company had applied, and again creating another much-appreciated way for gamers to spend. Many of these persist to this day, often offering deals superior to official gaming stores, and thus driving more traffic.
Pushing the Modern Envelope
Cryptocurrency has already proven its trading value with fiat currency, and this is reflected in how eager both tech people and outsiders are to get involved. The promise of the future keeps the market speculating, but the only real problem here is that, despite so much success and interest, there are still few major contemporary industries willing to explore crypto. Those that are, as usual, come from the realm of digital entertainment.
The most visible example is found in iGaming. This is seen if you play blackjack using Dogecoin on mBit Casino, which offers a huge range of betting opportunities tied to crypto. Dogecoin being on such an uptick recently means that holders are looking for a place to explore, and with casinos transcending borders, they’re a strong fit. Blackjack in particular matches especially well thanks to how famous it is, how easy it is to learn, and the broad number of different variations on offer from popular casinos.
Crypto players unfamiliar with the rules of the game could start simply in the titles simply labeled blackjack, to learn how everything works and become comfortable with the game. From here, they might want to delve into themed versions like Blackjack Lady Luckies, or try out live play with the Blackjack Azure tables. Blackjack and crypto is another case of a natural fit, and it’s only becoming more popular as both crypto and iGaming expand.
We’ve written at Times Tabloid before about the explosive history of crypto, but there’s no telling exactly how far it will go by the end of another decade. While it’s safe to assume the overall value of the market will continue to grow, the opportunities to use the money other than trading directly with fiat currencies and other crypto remain unknown. The one thing we know for sure is that where it heads next, gaming will find a way to be involved, as perhaps the best accidental friend that cryptocurrencies will ever have.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
