Minecraft, the popular video game loved by millions, has taken a step into the world of cryptocurrency by offering players the opportunity to earn Bitcoin. This new feature is made possible through a collaboration between Bitcoin payments startup Zebedee and the Satlantis Minecraft server.
The Bitcoin-friendly Satlantis server, operated by a team of Bitcoin enthusiasts, has integrated Zebedee’s Lightning Network-enabled gaming technology. This innovative integration allows players to earn Bitcoin as they play Minecraft’s Java edition on their computers. Players can then transfer their Bitcoin rewards to the ZBD wallet app, available on both iOS and Android devices.
It’s important to note that this integration is not officially endorsed by Mojang, the developer of Minecraft, or its publisher, Microsoft. Nevertheless, the Satlantis server has become a gathering place for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, offering gameplay inspired by Bitcoin mining and the opportunity to improve in-game “hash rate” for increased Bitcoin earnings.
This is not the first attempt by unofficial Minecraft servers to incorporate Bitcoin earnings. A server called BitQuest, which is no longer active, allowed players to discover and collect Bitcoin. Additionally, several Minecraft servers have experimented with integrating NFTs and cryptocurrencies into the game.
However, Microsoft, the publisher of Minecraft, has expressed its intention to regulate such integrations. In 2022, the company announced plans to ban NFTs from all Minecraft servers, citing concerns about division and inequality within the community.
Although the ban has been announced, Microsoft has yet to officially update Minecraft’s terms and conditions to implement it. In June 2023, a Microsoft representative confirmed the planned ban without providing further details.
The announcement of the impending ban has already prompted some fan-run servers and projects to alter their plans. For example, NFT Worlds, a project that sold NFT-based land plots for Minecraft, decided to develop its own game instead.
Minecraft’s announcement regarding the ban also mentioned “other blockchain technologies,” potentially including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. For now, let’s hope that the Satlantis server remains unaffected by the impending Minecraft crypto ban, providing players with the opportunity to continue earning Bitcoin while enjoying their Minecraft adventures.
