Telegram-based trading platform Blum marked its first year of operations by participating prominently at Blockchain Forum 2025, one of the most important cryptocurrency gatherings in the CIS region.

Dubai, UAE, February 27th, 2025, ChainwireFuntico’s Chief Product Officer, Pavel Antohe, took center stage at AIBC 2025 in Dubai, participating in the high-profile panel ‘PLAY-TO-EARN: THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR DECENTRALIZED PLATFORMS AND SOCIAL MEDIA.’ Joined by Sam Shami of Cointelegraph and Gleb Kostarev of Blum.io, the discussion delved into the evolving landscape of Play-to-Earn (P2E) gaming and its future sustainability.Navigating Challenges in the Play-to-Earn SpaceThe P2E sector has faced significant turbulence, with over 30% of blockchain gaming projects either discontinued or cancelled in 2023. Many projects struggled with sustainability, user retention, and economic balance, leading to a critical reassessment of the strategies needed to ensure long-term success. Amidst these setbacks, Pavel Antohe shared valuable insights on the importance of community engagement, asset ownership, and hybrid approaches bridging Web2 and Web3 as key drivers for the industry’s revival.The Path Forward: Merging Web2 and Web3 for Sustainable GrowthRecognizing these challenges, Antohe highlighted that the key to revitalizing the sector lies in a more structured and adaptable approach. During the panel, he emphasized that the next wave of successful P2E games will depend on:Stronger Community Engagement: Building trust through meaningful interactions and incentives.Building trust through meaningful interactions and incentives. True Digital Ownership: Ensuring players have full control over their assets to foster long-term investment.Ensuring players have full control over their assets to foster long-term investment. Hybrid Integration: Merging familiar Web2 experiences with the advantages of Web3 decentralization.By combining these elements, developers can create more sustainable ecosystems that attract both traditional gamers and blockchain enthusiasts, bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3 gaming.Funtico’s Vision for the Future of Web3 GamingFuntico remains committed to innovating and shaping the future of decentralized gaming

UAE-based fintech Blum raised $5 million in a pre-seed and seed round.