Crypto-native gaming studio GLHF has raised $2.3 million in fresh funding to accelerate the growth of Gigaverse, its breakout role-playing game that blends blockchain mechanics with AI-driven gameplay. The round was led by venture firm 1confirmation, with backing from industry figures including Pudgy Penguins founder Luca Netz, Sky Mavis co-founder Jeff “Jihoz” Zirlin, and executives from 6529 Capital, Stripe, and more.
Gigaverse Gains Momentum With Paid Player Base
Gigaverse has distinguished itself in a crowded blockchain gaming market by charging players a $20 equivalent entry fee in ETH. The model, more common in traditional gaming than crypto, has delivered traction that surprised many observers. Within six months, the title attracted more than 75,000 paying users, generating $4.5 million in direct revenue and $9 million in peer-to-peer trading volume. Players have executed over 450,000 transactions through Gigaverse’s in-game marketplace, where more than six million digital items have changed hands.
The studio argues that this approach filters out opportunistic speculators and fosters a community of committed players. “We know what’s broken in crypto games,” said Gigaverse co-founder Dith.
“Gigaverse implemented an install fee, similar to how games on platforms like Steam are purchased, which has proven effective at building a serious community of real, like-minded gamers that we can reach thanks to Abstract’s audience and expertise in consumer crypto,” Dith added.
An AI Villain at the Heart of Gameplay
Unlike most blockchain games, Gigaverse leans heavily into artificial intelligence to shape its narrative. The title features Gigus, a sentient antagonist powered by GLHF’s VILL[AI]N protocol. Gigus is designed to orchestrate emergent social gameplay, drive unexpected events, and evolve with the community’s actions.
This AI-driven mechanic aims to introduce a “character-rich agentic villain,” blending the unpredictability of autonomous systems with the persistence of blockchain assets. According to GLHF, the model creates a new category of economic primitives centered on autonomous labor, potentially reshaping how value circulates in crypto-native game worlds.
Industry Voices Signal Confidence
Investors are betting that Gigaverse’s blend of monetization, AI, and community focus can elevate it above predecessors that struggled to sustain engagement. “With over 75,000 paying players and millions in revenue, Gigaverse’s momentum has shattered expectations,” said Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins. “We’re excited for Gigaverse to continue leading the next generation of consumer crypto gaming experiences.”
Brett Shear, general partner at 1confirmation, added that the project reflects the firm’s thesis on backing crypto-native builders. “Gigaverse is already showing strong traction, and we believe it is positioned to become one of the most important crypto games of the next decade,” he said.
New Features and Community Activations
The funding will support a major open-world expansion, designed to scale Gigaverse beyond its current RPG framework. GLHF has also partnered with OpenSea to launch Gigaverse Eggs, priced at 0.0069 ETH, which will hatch into rideable steeds for the upcoming open world. Alongside the drop, the studio is organizing a one-day character auction for “Jucius Maximus,” a unique in-game figure with undisclosed abilities, set for September 4.
As crypto gaming looks to rebound from years of experimental models and unsustainable tokenomics, GLHF’s strategy signals a shift toward durability and design depth. By combining traditional gaming economics with blockchain-native assets and AI-driven experiences, Gigaverse is positioning itself as a test case for what the sector’s next era might look like.
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