A crypto staff generated $4M in 48 hours with ponzi video games after 4 years of failed merchandise, predicting 2026 because the Yr of Ponzi.
A crypto growth staff has publicly embraced ponzi mechanics after years of constructing unsuccessful merchandise.
The staff behind @pndmdotorg generated $4 million in income inside 48 hours.
In accordance with a put up by @weretuna, the staff spent 4 years creating merchandise that failed to achieve traction. They constructed DAOs, AI brokers, video games, and zk-TLS functions. None attracted customers or income.
The turning level got here once they began listening to their precise viewers. Degens and merchants constantly most well-liked apps with ponzi mechanics, the put up revealed.
Contaminated and Addicted Video games Drive Large Engagement
Their first ponzi recreation, Contaminated, launched with out advertising and marketing finances. It attracted 130,000 signups in 48 hours. Inside per week, 1.4 million wallets had performed the sport.
The second launch, Addicted, simulated drug dealing on Solana. Its launch trailer reached 2 million views in 24 hours. Market cap hit $80 million inside a day. Buying and selling quantity exceeded $50 million within the following days.
The staff met over 50 gamers in particular person. Every one reported genuinely having fun with the expertise, in keeping with the supply.
We Constructed a $50,000,000 Ponzi Scheme
Each crypto app that discovered actual PMF was a ponzi.
Not “form of.”
Actually a ponzi.ICO. DeFi meals cash. NFTs. Memecoins.
The most important crypto apps ever had been ponzi video games: Axie infinity, STEPN, pal tech
However builders like to faux this…
— tuna (@weretuna) January 6, 2026
Transparency Key to Ponzi Recreation Success
The put up emphasised honesty because the essential issue.
Earlier initiatives like Axie Infinity and STEPN failed as a result of they marketed themselves as long-term merchandise. As a substitute, they operated as ponzi schemes with out disclosure.
“Ponzi video games aren’t sustainable. They’re assured to die,” the put up said.
The important thing distinction lies in upfront communication in regards to the recreation’s nature.
The staff argues crypto allows entry to playing mechanics that conventional markets prohibit. Prediction markets are already rising quickly. Ponzi video games characterize the following wave, they declare.
2026 Predicted as Yr of Ponzi Video games
Their subsequent challenge, Jailed, guarantees to be ten instances greater than Addicted. The jail life simulator incorporates what they name “giga ponzified” mechanics.
The purpose is easy, in keeping with the put up.
They need to construct the largest ponzi recreation on the web. Their goal exceeds Axie Infinity’s $1.5 billion income from 2021.
The supply attributes this development to shortened consideration spans. Quick-form content material has modified how folks devour leisure. Conventional choices now not present adequate dopamine, the put up suggests.
Whether or not the crypto neighborhood accepts this course stays unclear. Nonetheless, the staff believes the development will proceed no matter opposition.