- Leaked documents suggest Microsoft plans to integrate cryptocurrency wallets into its Xbox gaming console.
- Integrating cryptocurrency wallets in Xbox could allow game developers to generate real-world wealth from the in-game world.
- The cryptocurrency community is excited about the potential integration; however, Microsoft has not officially confirmed it.
Global software titan Microsoft is rumoured to be working on integrating cryptocurrency wallet features into its flagship gaming console. Leaked internal documents posted on the gaming platform RestEra reveal a slew of Xbox enhancements, including that the Xbox roadmap for May 2022 included support for a crypto wallet. However, no details about the proposed integration were provided.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Xbox, blamed the breach on the Federal Trade Commission’s legal action against Microsoft. As a result of the FTC’s resistance to the $69 million Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft mistakenly included leaked papers in their submissions.
According to reports, the leaked documents revealed significant discussions between Xbox officials and plans for a new disc-less Xbox Series X, a gyro controller, and possibly a next-generation hybrid Xbox in 2028.
Nonetheless, Spencer attempted to make light of the leak, pointing out that some plans had already been altered.
He noted, “It is hard to see our team’s work shared in this way because so much has changed, and there’s so much to be excited about right now and in the future.”
The Crypto Community is Excited
While Spencer has stated that the company’s plans may have changed, the Bitcoin community remains upbeat about the leak. Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, commented on the situation, emphasizing the vast scale of the gaming business.
“Crypto is gamer money, and gaming is a bigger industry than Hollywood and the music industry combined,” he stated.
Meanwhile, this breakthrough has fueled conjecture that the connection could lead to new applications for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC).
However, the potential impact remains speculative because Microsoft has not formally confirmed any integration. Nonetheless, the enthusiastic reaction from the crypto community emphasizes the importance of traditional tech behemoths embracing the nascent industry.
Microsoft expanded its partnership in the crypto sector in August by partnering with Aptos Labs, the layer1 blockchain network Aptos (APT) developer. This collaboration intends to improve the capabilities of the web3 ecosystem.
