In This Article
COD and PUBG esports have become two of the biggest names in competitive gaming, pulling in millions of fans and creating global tournaments with massive prize pools. Both titles dominate esports thanks to their availability on smartphones and traditional consoles, making them accessible to players worldwide.
The next big shift is already here: crypto in esports. This trend is set to bring new opportunities for players and fans. With blockchain integration in PUBG and COD, rewards, collectibles, and payments are becoming more transparent and secure. This article explores how battle royale crypto gaming is changing the future of Call of Duty and PUBG.
Key Takeaways
- Crypto integration in Call of Duty and PUBG is limited due to regulatory uncertainties. However, the gaming industry is warming up to using blockchain technology to enhance the gaming experience.
- Blockchain integration lets players truly own their in-game items and turn virtual rewards into real money through trading and marketplaces.
- Crypto sponsorships are lucrative, with Formula 1 bagging a multi-million dollar deal with Crypto.com. However, traditional gaming companies have taken a cautious stance on it.
- Fans can join the action through NFT collectibles, play-to-earn rewards, and phygital experiences that blend digital and real-world ownership.
- The future of battle royale gaming lies in crypto integration, where players and fans share control, profits, and influence across the esports and gaming ecosystem.
Crypto’s Role in PUBG & COD: Summary
This article breaks down the rise of COD (Call of Duty) and PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) esports within the crypto space.
Readers will learn how esports is merging with blockchain, how Call of Duty crypto gaming and PUBG battle royale crypto integration are unfolding, and why crypto fits naturally into competitive titles.
We’ll also look at real-world adoption, player benefits, and the challenges that battle royale esports with crypto rewards face as the industry matures.
Rise of Battle Royale Esports
At its core, a Battle Royale is a survival online game mode in which dozens, sometimes hundreds, of players drop into sprawling maps with minimal gear. Players have to scavenge for weapons, avoid elimination, and stay within a shrinking safe zone until only one team or individual is left standing.
The roots of the genre trace back to the early 2010s, when creative modders added “last player alive” mechanics to games like Minecraft and Arma 2. The term itself was inspired by the Japanese film Battle Royale, which depicted a deadly shrinking play zone. The concept caught fire when PUBG: Battlegrounds on mobile launched in 2017, quickly amassing millions of downloads and proving that this survival format could stand alone as a blockbuster game. Free-to-play Battle Royale games on smartphones such as Call of Duty, PUBG, and Fortnite have become genre icons.
Today, the Battle Royale genre dominates both PC and mobile esports. PUBG Mobile has transformed competitive gaming across Asian countries, where entire communities play and watch tournaments on their phones. Events like the PUBG Global Championship (PGC) show just how far the scene has come. Last year’s PGC champions triumphed, earned international recognition, and won million-dollar prizes.
Together, PUBG Esports and COD Esports have elevated the battle royale genre from a survival experiment to a gaming craze. So much so that hundreds of thousands of viewers come to YouTube to watch professional teams face off each other.
Crypto’s Entry Into Esports
While crypto has not been fully integrated into popular esports titles such as PUBG and COD, it has gained traction across the gaming industry through sponsorships and tournaments. The concept of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and crypto tokens would be a great fit in esports.
If COD and PUBG esports were to incorporate crypto elements, it would allow players to own in-game items such as weapons and skins as unique tokens on a blockchain. This would allow users to monetize their gameplay, enabling the buying and selling in-game items on the open market. Esports titles would also be able to maintain and verify the rarity of in-game items and distribute them to players accordingly.
Players will need a reliable non-custodial wallet to securely store in-game NFTs or crypto rewards. Best Wallet offers a beginner-friendly setup supporting multiple chains and in-game tokens. Also, learn more about the Best Crypto Gaming Wallets in 2026 here.
Why Crypto & Esports Are a Natural Fit
Crypto and esports are a natural fit, as they would empower gamers to own in-game items. Players benefit from verifiable in-game item ownership; they can monetize their gameplay, which could translate to stickier customers and higher loyalty for game publishers.
Moreover, play-to-earn models in PUBG and COD will reward gamers not only for their skills but also for the time spent. The open nature of blockchain and cryptocurrencies would further allow players to earn without competing in tournaments, as tournament participation may not be suitable for all gamers. Some may not be eligible based on their gaming skills, while others may not have the time to participate in events such as the PUBG Global Championship. As crypto elements are integrated into PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, and other esports titles, we will see casual and professional players benefit.
To learn more about play-to-earn games, read our article on the Best P2E Games in 2026 to discover your favorite one.
Curious About Play-to-Earn Games?
Early Signs of Adoption
The industry has already seen clear signs of crypto in esports adoption. According to DappRadar, over 7.4 million daily active wallets engaged with blockchain games in 2024, a new record.
Investments in crypto gaming have continually flown into the industry, with DappRadar estimating that $1.8 billion was invested in blockchain gaming and metaverse projects in the year. That takes the investment in crypto gaming to $16.392 billion since 2020. As per DappRadar,
The blockchain gaming industry has matured significantly over the past few years. With the hype around play-to-earn (P2E) subsiding, investors have increasingly backed games with sustainable tokenomics and player-centric ecosystems,
COD Esports & Crypto Integration
There has been limited crypto integration and crypto sponsorships in COD esports. In 2021, Sport Business Journal cited internal sources saying the COD publisher Activision was seeking crypto sponsorship for its esports team; however, since the crypto industry went into turmoil in 2022 following the collapse of FTX Exchange—once America’s biggest crypto exchange and top sponsor of esports—esports teams have taken a cautious stance towards crypto sponsorship.
That could soon change as crypto regulations in the U.S. have become clearer under the leadership of President Donald Trump, who has voiced his support for the crypto industry.
Moreover, since COD publisher Activision was acquired by Microsoft in 2022, there is optimism that crypto and blockchain technology integration into gaming will pick up. The Xbox creator has been open to the technology. Microsoft and consultancy firm EY together have explored the use of blockchain technology in gaming to process royalty payments to gaming publishers when players purchase in-game items, merchandise, and digital content. Auditing firm EY noted:
The blockchain solution integrates closely with game creators to give Microsoft Xbox an infrastructure that helps them manage and reward game publishers and creators. Creators now have more trust in the process and can focus on creating new games,
PUBG Esports & Crypto Integration
PUBG Mobile co-publisher Tencent has been one of the most crypto-forward gaming publishers in the industry. In 2023, Tencent and Microsoft partnered with crypto project Ankr to support organizations in developing blockchain services.
Tencent went a step further by creating a solution called Tencent Cloud Metaverse-in-a-Box, which offered Tencent Cloud’s extensive infrastructure, high-performance products, software development kits, and low-code solutions for gaming, media, entertainment, and metaverse use cases. Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President, Tencent Cloud International, described Tencent Cloud’s vision for Web3 as a blend of the physical and digital worlds forming one connected ecosystem under ‘Immersive Convergence’. Real and virtual economies work together in this vision, allowing people to move seamlessly between online and offline experiences.
However, crypto integration into esports such as PUBG Mobile has not been smooth. In 2023, Tencent was reportedly compelled to halt the release of digital collectibles on its Huanhe NFT platform in China due to regulatory scrutiny, leaving Chinese players in limbo. Regulatory uncertainties may also explain why there has been no crypto sponsorship in PUBG Global Championship events to date. For example, when The Expendables rose to become PGC Champions in 2024, their main sponsors were gaming gear companies ZOWIE and XIBERIA.
PUBG battle royale crypto integration has come in the form of indirect efforts. In 2019, blockchain-based rewards and marketing company Refereum partnered with PUBG Mobile to offer players the chance to earn on-chain rewards for completing in-game feats, according to a report by AnimationXpress.
Impact on Players and Careers
Crypto integration in traditional gaming is expected to have a profound impact on esports players and casual gamers. Gamers will retain ownership over their hard-earned in-game items and be able to swap them for cryptocurrencies and fiat, which will open a monetary stream for them. Gamers will also influence the direction of games that follow a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) structure through tokenized voting.
A bulk of the income will come from crypto sponsorship for esports teams. To understand how lucrative crypto sponsorships can be, we must look at the deals that crypto companies have signed with soccer and Formula 1 (F1). Crypto.com and F1 signed a sponsorship deal worth over $100 million in 2021, which was extended for an undisclosed amount until 2030. Meanwhile, SportQuake estimated that crypto sponsorship in sports totaled $565 million in 2024, of which 59% went to football crypto partnerships.
How Fans Benefit From Crypto-Powered Battle Royale Esports
As COD Esports & PUBG Esports grow into global entertainment powerhouses, crypto opens new ways for fans to participate, earn, and engage. With blockchain integration in PUBG and COD, esports audiences can expect more transparency, digital ownership, and direct interaction with their favorite teams and tournaments. Here is how gaming fans can benefit from crypto integration:
Pros & Cons of Integrating Crypto in PUBG and COD
Pros
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Blockchain technology can make prize payouts faster and more transparent.
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Crypto rewards and NFTs create new income opportunities for players and fans.
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Smart contracts reduce fraud and payment disputes in tournaments.
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Cross-border crypto payments simplify participation for international teams.
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Decentralized ownership gives players greater control over their digital assets.
Cons
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Crypto volatility can make player earnings and prize pools unpredictable.
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Unclear regulations in many regions could delay mainstream adoption.
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Many players and fans may find crypto wallets and tokens difficult to use.
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NFT speculation or scams could damage trust within the gaming community.
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Environmental concerns about PoW blockchain energy use could spark public criticism.
Future of Battle Royale Crypto Gaming
The road ahead for battle royale crypto gaming is exciting. Imagine blockchain battle royale games where fans own a share of tournaments, vote on prize pools, or collect unique NFTs tied to gameplay moments. With PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty games expanding globally, crypto can give esports teams and fans new ways to compete and engage.
Crypto integration will make payments faster and easier. The player’s digital identity will also be protected, as crypto integration will allow users to sign up using crypto wallets. The use of zero-knowledge technology will remove the need to provide personal information.
With crypto regulation becoming clearer in the U.S., we see a future where the crypto industry takes off. Such a scenario will see crypto innovation trickle down into gaming. The publisher may choose to incorporate all or a part of what crypto has to offer to enrich the gaming experience.
The ultimate goal would be to create a permissionless, decentralized, player-driven, and fan-driven ecosystem where everyone benefits. Challenges remain, but the success of early adoption shows momentum. The fusion of crypto and battle royale could become one of the defining innovations in mobile esports and competitive gaming.
Conclusion
Esports is evolving beyond traditional competition, moving toward a future shaped by blockchain and digital ownership. From NFT-based collectibles and fan tokens to decentralized governance and P2E rewards, blockchain integration in PUBG & COD will redefine how players compete and how fans engage.
While challenges remain, the potential benefits are too significant to ignore. Crypto brings transparency, new income streams, and global accessibility to esports. As technology matures, the fusion of crypto and battle royale gaming will transform both Call of Duty and PUBG into more open, community-driven ecosystems. After all, without the legion of fans and gamers, games would not be the cultural force it is today.
DISCOVER:
- Crypto Exchange Promos & Discounts
- Crypto Wallet Promos & Discounts
- Fortnite Esports & NFTs: Future of Digital Ownership
- How LoL Esports Can Integrate Blockchain & Crypto?
- Inside Esports Industry: How Crypto is Changing Career Paths
- How G2 Esports & TSM Are Leveling Up with Fan Tokens?
- How Crypto Can Change R6 eSports Prediction?
FAQs
What is battle royale crypto gaming?
Battle royale crypto gaming is a mix of battle royale gameplay and blockchain technology, where players can own, trade, and earn digital assets through gameplay or tournaments. Crypto gamers are hopeful that popular games such as PUBG Mobile and COD will incorporate crypto elements in the near future.
How are COD and PUBG Mobile esports connected to crypto?
At the time of writing, COD and PUBG Mobile esports had limited crypto integrations. On the sponsorship front, PUBG Global Championship, including last year’s PGC champions, has taken a cautious stance towards crypto sponsorships.
Can esports players earn crypto from COD or PUBG tournaments?
Esports players can benefit from lucrative crypto sponsorship in top events such as the PUBG Global Championship.
What benefits do fans get from crypto in battle royale esports?
Fans can gain true ownership of collectibles, access exclusive events, vote in team decisions, and potentially earn tokens through interactive participation. Meanwhile, Esports players can benefit from lucrative crypto sponsorship in top events such as the PUBG Global Championship.
Will COD and PUBG skins become NFTs?
Not yet, but if blockchain adoption grows, developers may introduce NFT skins that players can trade or redeem for real-world value.
Who won the PUBG Global championship?
Malaysia’s The Expendables rose to claim the PUBG Global Championship 2024 title.
References:
- Reserve Bank of Australia. “Cryptocurrencies.” RBA, https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/cryptocurrencies.html.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology. “Blockchain.” NIST, https://www.nist.gov/blockchain.
- The White House. “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile.” The White House, 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-strategic-bitcoin-reserve-and-u-s-digital-asset-stockpile/.
- DappRadar. “DappRadar Games Report 2024 Overview.” DappRadar Blog, 2024, https://dappradar.com/blog/dappradar-games-report-2024-overview.
- Tencent Cloud. “Tencent Cloud Partners with Ankr to Support Web3 Development.” Tencent Cloud Newsroom, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.tencentcloud.com/dynamic/news-details/100437.
- “How Blockchain Helped a Gaming Platform Become a Game Changer.” EY, 2024, https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/consulting/how-blockchain-helped-a-gaming-platform-become-a-game-changer.
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