This Week in Crypto Games: Solana Game Pass Launch, ‘Ponzi’ Game Craze, and SEC Clears CyberKongz

The Web3 gaming space witnessed a whirlwind of activity this week, from the launch of Solana Game Pass to growing popularity of "Ponzi"-based crypto games, and the SEC shutting down its case against CyberKongz.

Here are the top news stories in crypto games this week:

Solana Game Pass Mints Over 33K NFTs

There is a new Solana Game Pass NFT which debuted on Magic Eden with a mission to boost the Solana gaming ecosystem. The free mint provides rewards, early access, and quests for games such as Star Atlas, Nyan Heroes, and Stepn.

I’m no longer generating $2400 per hour playing a Crypto Game

What went wrong? pic.twitter.com/ghcN6JbzZI

— Jesus Martinez (@JesusMartinezEZ) April 19, 2025

The pass is redeemable during "Season 0," a four-week promotion in which users take on challenges on GAM3S.GG to win raffle tickets for $10,000+ worth of prizes, including SOL and NFTs. More than 33,000 passes have been minted, with subsequent seasons promising more advanced in-game mechanics and progression systems.

 "Ponzi" Games Catch Surprising Popularity

Crypto game Bigcoin skyrocketed before plunging 83%, but users complimented its "Ponzinomics" system for being clearer than cryptic airdrop systems. The game, based on Ethereum's Abstract network, mimics mining and reward accumulation through BIG tokens.

Introducing Meowcoins! 😻

Start playing CryptoKitties: ALL THE ZEN! and hatch Page’s Gang Kitties in the next few days, earn Meowcoins—and get a head start for next season! 🤝 Link to play below ⤵️

This is the start of the Eggdrop. Buckle up. 🥚💥 pic.twitter.com/nzBigzvYJj

— CryptoKitties (@CryptoKitties) April 14, 2025

Its viral popularity has generated interest in other titles such as Minereum and Dungeons of Fortune, even though they have short-lived hype cycles. These games seem to draw speculators rather than gamers, indicating a bizarre but emerging niche of "degen" game finance.

SEC Ends CyberKongz Investigation

Following almost two years, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission shut down its investigation into CyberKongz, the Ethereum-based NFT and game venture. The SEC made no findings or enforcement, even though there had been previous concerns regarding the BANANA token and Genesis Kongz migration.

CyberKongz's team celebrated the result as a Web3 win, in company with other cleared ventures such as Yuga Labs and OpenSea. Legal costs and regulatory pressure, they claimed, had been "crippling."

Introducing Meowcoins! 😻

Start playing CryptoKitties: ALL THE ZEN! and hatch Page’s Gang Kitties in the next few days, earn Meowcoins—and get a head start for next season! 🤝 Link to play below ⤵️

This is the start of the Eggdrop. Buckle up. 🥚💥 pic.twitter.com/nzBigzvYJj

— CryptoKitties (@CryptoKitties) April 14, 2025

ICYMI: Web3 Gaming Highlights

• Wolf Game moved to Solana, then withdrew liquidity after backlash.
• Chunked, Minecraft-like game, went live on Somnia network as a complete on-chain test.
• Treeverse began its reward season on Immutable zkEVM.
• Futureverse bought Candy Digital, which owns IP from MLB, DC, and Netflix.
• A Donald Trump-branded crypto Monopoly game is coming.
• Adam Weitsman purchased 1,402 Otherdeed NFTs related to the Otherside metaverse.
• LOL Land, a game by Yield Guild Games, comes out May 2 on Abstract.
• Creepz added a spin-to-win gacha reward system.
• Gods Unchained is moving from Immutable X to zkEVM.
• Hytopia, a Minecraft-like game, opened up public testing on iOS/Android.
• Realms of Alurya shifted from the Treasure ecosystem to Ronin.

Final Thoughts

With NFT mints surging, SEC crackdowns easing, and new gaming models gaining traction—even the controversial ones—the Web3 gaming world continues to evolve rapidly. Whether you’re in it for the games, the tech, or the tokens, this week in crypto games had something for everyone.