Top 20 Crypto Games to Invest in 2023

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by Damir Yalalov

Published: September 01, 2023 at 2:12 am Updated: September 01, 2023 at 2:12 am

by Danil Myakin

Edited and fact-checked: September 01, 2023 at 2:12 am

To improve your local-language experience, sometimes we employ an auto-translation plugin. Please note auto-translation may not be accurate, so read original article for precise information.

During the year 2023, a fervent trend known as “crypto games” or “play-to-earn games” rose to prominence. These ground-breaking blockchain-powered games allow players to earn cryptocurrency and coveted NFTs through deft gameplay and meaningful contributions to in-game economies.

With projections predicting a staggering jump in the crypto gaming arena from a $1 billion valuation in 2022 to an astronomical $20 billion by 2027, the current juncture presents an opportune moment to channel investments into the premier crypto games poised for imminent prominence.

What Are Crypto Games? 

Intricately woven into the fabric of blockchain technology, crypto games constitute a novel breed of video games, characterized by tangible in-game assets boasting real-world monetary value. These assets, ranging from tokens to NFTs, are attainable through immersive gameplay and subsequently tradable for profitable gains within NFT marketplaces. 

Emanating from the realm of crypto gaming emerges the concept of “play-to-earn” and its counterpart, the “move-to-earn” model, which ingeniously incentivizes players through cryptographic rewards.

An Array of Enthralling Genres

The crypto gaming panorama boasts an array of captivating genres, each imbued with its unique allure:

• Collectible NFT Games: A narrative spun around the accumulation of rare NFTs, destined to appreciate within the expansive open marketplace. Eminent instances encompass Axie Infinity and NBA Top Shot.
• Fusion of Tradition and Innovation: A harmonious amalgamation of NFTs with conventional financial instruments, such as digital real estate and trading mechanisms. Esteemed representatives encompass Upland and DeFi Pet.
• Saga of RPG & MMO Crypto Games: Unveiling immersive narratives, these games intersect role-playing and massive multiplayer online paradigms, seamlessly integrating vibrant economies. Examples in this realm encompass The Sandbox and Star Atlas.
• Pioneering Move-to-Earn Ventures: Forging a symbiotic relationship between physical activity and the digital realm, these games bestow cryptocurrency and NFT rewards upon users engaged in activities such as walking, jogging, or cycling. Illustrative instances include StepN and FitEvo.

Benefits of Investing in Crypto Games

Seizing the initiative to invest early in the realm of crypto games can yield copious dividends, underpinned by the burgeoning expansion of this dynamic market. A suite of advantages underscores this assertion:

• Harvesting Cryptocurrency: Premier crypto games usher players into a realm of opportunities to amass tokens and coveted NFTs, ripe for lucrative liquidation. A player’s prowess augments their earnings exponentially.
• Potential for Astronomical ROI: With the universal embrace of the play-to-earn archetype, the valuation of in-game assets and currencies is poised to ascend meteorically. Seizing the early bird advantage translates to unprecedented gains.
• Ascension to Ownership: Procuring NFTs within crypto games culminates in veritable ownership, transcending the confines of the virtual realm to endure in the broader expanse of reality.
• Fun Unleashed: The captivating play-to-earn model precipitates a tapestry of loyalty and retention as players are ensnared by the riveting rhythm of core gameplay. This fidelity in engagement establishes a foundation for enduring value.
• The Duality of Tokens: A myriad of crypto games are architectured upon a dual token model, comprising a governance token intertwined with an in-game currency, thus presenting a mosaic of distinct avenues for investment.

How to Evaluate the Top Crypto Games 

Given the relentless surge of innumerable crypto games vying for recognition, the pursuit of discerning top-tier investment prospects demands a discerning lens. The subsequent factors prove pivotal in this evaluative journey:

Vanguards of Innovation: The track record and experiential lineage of the founding squad serve as a compass, charting the trajectory of successful game execution. Stalwart advisory boards augur well.

• Platform Paradigm: Certain blockchain platforms, exemplified by Ethereum and Polygon, stand as fertile ground for the germination of crypto gaming ventures. Robust platforms furnish a competitive edge.
• Architects of Gameplay: The evaluation of the gameplay’s intrinsic quality and immersive appeal looms large. A seamless gameplay experience underscores retention and organic expansion.
• Tokenomics Unveiled: An in-depth scrutiny of the tokenomics encapsulating in-game dynamics, as well as broader supply and demand kinetics, underpins the prognostication of investment potential. A well-calibrated tokenomic structure signifies burgeoning promise.
• Buzz of the Zeitgeist: The prevailing market trends and prevailing sentiment cannot be relegated to obscurity. The assimilation of prevailing market inclinations within game design bolsters the innate resonance.

1. Axie Infinity (AXS, SLP)

Genre: NFT Collectible Enchantment

Core Facets: 10 million+ Enthusiasts, Approximately $1.3 billion Fiscal Yield in Inaugural Year

Investment Theorem: An Established Prototype with Leeway for Tactical Enhancements

Axie Infinity emerges as a towering sensation, heralding a congregation of over 2.5 million daily aficionados at its zenith. Players partake in the propagation, contention, and commerce of endearing virtual companions christened “Axies.” The adeptly designed gameplay and the profound fiscal model within the crypto-gaming domain render Axie a judicious long-range investment.

Axie Infinity has instituted a formidable manifestation of the play-to-earn gaming principle. While contenders are making their entrance, Axie’s earliest foray, branding recognition, and communal ardor bestow upon it a tenacious vitality. 

The recent introduction of land-based gameplay, coupled with imminent lending and crafting attributes, shall confer an augmented adherence quotient to the game’s trajectory.

Axie comprises dual tokens: AXS (governance) and SLP (in-game tender). The value ascendancy of AXS is particularly compelling owing to its truncated circulating supply and its proclivity for staking.

2. The Sandbox (SAND)

Genre: User-Generated Metaverse

Principal Characteristics: Possessors of 665k+ LAND NFTs, Exceeding $500M in LAND Transactions

Investment Theorem: Embracing the Metaverse with the Aegis of Esteemed Brands & Patrons

The Sandbox metaverse stands conspicuous, a swift-paced trajectory underscored by the potency of NFTs and strategic affiliations with colossal brands, including Snoop Dogg, The Walking Dead, and Adidas. Patrons can secure LAND NFTs, thereby instigating the construction of interactive escapades, adroitly converting the creative output into monetizable avenues via mechanisms like advertisements.

The Sandbox resides at the nucleus of the open metaverse upsurge, promulgating genuine ownership of virtual assets alongside the liberties of creativity and unrestrained articulation within its metaverse expanse. Its spirit of collaboration serves as a magnet for both users and brand allies.

The metaverse’s virtual real estate, coupled with the SAND token, forges a compelling overture for steadfast investments as The Sandbox embarks on a trajectory of expansion.

3. Decentraland (MANA)

Genre: Virtual Reality Metaverse

Core Features: Surpassing 80,000 Users, Conduction of Metaverse Fashion Fest

Investment Theorem: Pioneering Stalwart in the Creation of the 3D VR Metaverse

Decentraland stands as a trailblazer in the sphere of 3D social virtual reality metaverse, carving a niche as the harbinger of an immersive realm, one that is collectively owned by the very users who inhabit it. The empowerment it affords creators to craft scenarios, art galleries, ludic pursuits, and more, while still retaining full dominion over their creations, is emblematic of its essence.

A gamut of brands, JP Morgan, Heineken, and Samsung to name a few, have progressively embraced Decentraland as a conduit for promotional endeavors. The burgeoning popularity of VR hardware and the proliferation of web3 paradigms conspire to illuminate the beacon of Decentraland’s pioneer status.

MANA, the paramount token of Decentraland, functions as the principal unit of exchange for the acquisition of land plots, commodities, and services within the expansive metaverse. As land escalates in desirability, MANA’s valuation mirrors this upward trajectory.

4. Star Atlas (ATLAS)

Genre: Cosmic MMORPG

Principal Features: Raised $21M through Acclaimed Venture Capitalists, Stewardship by Accomplished Squad

Investment Theorem: A Monumental Blockchain Gaming Project Infused with Ambitious Grandeur.

Star Atlas beckons as a superlative exemplar among the pantheon of crypto gaming ventures, distinguished by an audacious vision of a triple-A caliber space MMORPG metaverse, bedecked with resplendent visuals, intricate factions, dynamic economies, and boundless celestial exploration.

Endowed with the patronage of distinguished crypto VC giants such as Animoca Brands, Pantera Capital, and FTX, Star Atlas is poised to fulfill its lofty aspirations. The team helming the project boasts profound experience in fashioning AAA game spectacles akin to World of Warcraft and Overwatch.

Positioned as a hybrid offspring of Eve Online and Star Citizen, intricately woven into the fabric of Unreal Engine 5, Star Atlas heralds a resplendent cross-platform integration spanning the realms of PC, VR, and mobile platforms. The staggering scope of this enterprise, bolstered by its formidable resources, positions it as an authoritative contender vying for eminence within the cosmos of crypto gaming.

5. Guild of Guardians (GOLD)

Genre: NFT-Infused Mobile RPG

Core Facets: Embarked on a Fundraising Endeavor to the Tune of $25M from Prominent Investors, Embarking on Forthcoming Launch

Investment Theorem: Orchestrating the Mainstream Onslaught of AAA Mobile Gaming into the Crypto Sphere.

Amidst a landscape where most crypto games persist in their primitive graphical and gameplay paradigms, Guild of Guardians stands poised to unravel a fully immersive AAA blockchain gaming escapade meticulously tailored to the realm of mobile platforms.

Sculpted by architects bearing the imprints of illustrious game development citadels such as Ubisoft, EA, and Epic Games, Guild of Guardians emanates with an aura of resolute gaming pedigree. With the patronage of venerable VC entities and a forthcoming launch encompassing both iOS and Android platforms, the project occupies a propitious vantage point from which to catapult blockchain gaming into the threshold of mainstream mobile gamers.

Players shall step into the roles of ‘Guardians,’ venturing forth on quests, combating adversaries, and amassing rare spoils in the form of NFTs, all within the confines of their handheld devices. The dual token model embodied by GOLD augments its potential, serving the dual functions of governance and in-game currency alike.

6. Illuvium (ILV)

Genre: Realms Forged in Unreal Engine 5

Core Features: Embodied by Graphics Forged with Unreal Engine 5’s Aegis, Forged by Studios Forged from the Crucible of Ex-Ubisoft Pioneers

Investment Theorem: Eclipsing Established Benchmarks in the Nexus of Graphics and Gameplay Prowess.

Illuvium is an ambitious contender that strives to elevate the bar of graphics magnificence in the sphere of blockchain gaming, exclusively sculpted upon the bedrock of Unreal Engine 5’s avant-garde Nanite and Lumen technologies. The stewards of this venture emerge from the ranks of Ubisoft, bearing the imprimatur of games such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

The architectural blueprints of Illuvium entail the creation of an expansive cosmos, reminiscent of the likes of Grand Theft Auto, distinguished by the intricate tapestries of narrative woven into the fabric of breathtakingly realistic urban landscapes. The unprecedented graphical capabilities ushered in by Unreal Engine 5 confer an allure irresistible to those accustomed to the apogee of quality experiences within the gaming milieu.

Replete with AAA quality and an infrastructural scaffold founded upon infinitely scalable serverless cloud architecture, Illuvium assumes a posture well-poised to usher legions of gamers into the realms of web3 encounters, all while cherishing the tenets of genuine asset ownership.

7. Aurory (AURY)

Genre: The Symphony of the Metaverse

Core Facets: Forged in Alliances with Grammy-Lauded Virtuosos, Stages of Ethereal Musical Galas Unveiled

Investment Theorem: Pioneering the Infrastructural Paradigm for Musical NFTs and Metaversal Concerto Enactments

Aurory unveils a digital infrastructure underpinning the dominion of musical NFTs, metaversal concertos, and the very act of musical creation within the enclave of web3. 

The possession of land parcels within Aurory’s dominion confers a golden ticket of access, bestowing patrons with privileges to partake in ethereal soirees orchestrated by virtuosos of global acclaim.

Aurory has already set the stage for metaverse serenades by hosting performances from venerable maestros such as Deadmau5 and Richie Hawtin. The conduits for the minting of musical NFTs furnish artists with the means to inscribe their opuses upon the blockchain, all while retaining the lion’s share of profits that might otherwise gravitate towards traditional record labels.

In an epoch marked by an increasing exodus of artists into the domains of creator economies via NFTs and metaversal pageantry, Aurory emerges as a veritable sanctuary, poised to capitalize upon the rising crescendo of digital music consumption.

8. Crypto Royale (ROY)

Genre: Royalty of the Battle Pantheon

Core Features: Acme of 2,300+ Concurrent Competitors, Count of 144k+ Gamers within the Pantheon

Investment Theorem: Facilitating Accessible Gameplay Infused with the Complex Stratum of Tokenomics

Crypto Royale heralds a pioneering chapter in the annals of the crypto gaming chronicle, an archetype that espouses the freemium ethos, rendering blockchain gaming a realm accessible to all, yet replete with conduits to accrue tokens and NFTs. This innovative ethos dismantles the barriers to entry while seamlessly nurturing in-game economies with an inherent longevity.

In confluence with the gratuitous ingress, the facile dimensions of the 2D battle royale gameplay germinate a robust ecosystem of retention and organic proliferation, catalyzed by word-of-mouth commendations. The paragons of the game, those of exemplary prowess, stand poised to conquer weekly tournaments, thereby accruing ROY tokens and NFT trophies, thus propelling the dominion of play-to-earn constructs.

This accessible demeanor propels Crypto Royale into the limelight of mainstream assimilation. Punctuated by the imminent incorporation of a metaverse milieu, Crypto Royale wields tenacity well-equipped for perpetuity within the realm of blockchain gaming.

9. Splinterlands (SPS)

Genre: The Chronicles of Cardistry

Core Facets: Surpassing 400k+ Diurnal Devotees, Carving a Notable Niche within a $1 Billion Market Valuation

Investment Theorem: A Quintessential Manifestation of Crypto Gaming’s Allure to the Masses

Splinterlands commands the limelight as crypto gaming’s pièce de résistance, its dominion encompassing an unassailable bastion of over 2.8 million registered users who converge to engage in card battles guided by skillful maneuvers. The embodiment of intricate gameplay presents the veritable key to surmounting the citadel of mass-market acceptance.

At the heart of Splinterlands’ allure is its solemn pledge to liberate users to truly possess and seamlessly barter their digital card NFTs, thereby forging an indomitable fortification against competitors. The meticulous equilibrium maintained between strategy and the allure of rewards captivates the user base, ensuring their fervent engagement.

In essence, Splinterlands magnifies the enormity of untapped cravings for high-quality games that ceremoniously usher in the era of genuine asset ownership through the imprimatur of decentralization. Exhibiting a state of maturity seldom rivaled within the gaming ecosystem, Splinterlands assumes its rightful mantle as a robust

10. StepN (GMT)

Genre: Move-to-earn

Key Details: First fitness metaverse with strong retention

Investment Thesis: Taps into multi-billion dollar fitness industry

StepN (formerly known as STEPN) is a pioneering crypto game that connects fitness and earning through a move-to-earn model. Users earn rewards by walking, jogging, or running outdoors while the app tracks their movement.

The game incentivizes long-term physical activity to level up users’ NFT sneakers, unlocking higher earning potential. Tokens and in-game items can be traded in the marketplace. This project capitalizes on the enormous fitness industry, which is valued at nearly $100 billion. With its clear utility and health-related benefits, StepN is poised for mainstream adoption.

12. Pegaxy (PGX)

Genre: Crypto horse racing

Key Details: $30M+ weekly betting volume, 80K+ NFT horses sold

Investment Thesis: Innovative move-to-earn horse racing metaverse

Pegaxy offers a unique move-to-earn metaverse centered around horse racing. Users buy NFT horses with distinct traits and train them for racing and breeding. The races incorporate real-time player-versus-player (PvP) mechanics.

Earnings come from participating in races and breeding horses, with the option to trade them in the NFT marketplace. With a user base of over 100,000 and plans to expand into a fully developed world featuring lands and buildings, Pegaxy shows significant promise.

The project leverages humanity’s longstanding fascination with horse competition, blending crypto economics with captivating gameplay to attract both mainstream gamers and crypto enthusiasts.

13. Plant vs Undead (PVU)

Genre: Tower defense/RPG

Key Details: $40M revenue in the first year, 500k+ users

Investment Thesis: Established model with a strong community

Plant vs Undead gained early success in the crypto gaming sphere, similar to Axie Infinity. The game combines tower defense, RPG elements, and collectible NFT mechanics.

Players acquire NFT seeds that can be cultivated into plants used to combat undead foes. These plants can be bred to produce rare breeds over time, much like Axie NFTs. Participating in battles rewards players with both in-game resources and the PVU governance token.

Despite facing challenges such as high gas fees in early 2022, Plant vs Undead boasts impressive player retention metrics. With plans for Layer 2 integration, the game is poised for renewed growth.

14. My Neighbor Alice (ALICE)

Genre: Farming/island builder

Key Details: Multi-chain community metaverse, ranked top 50 crypto game

Investment Thesis: Fresh take on popular builder/harvesting genre

My Neighbor Alice presents players with the opportunity to purchase and develop land plots into villages and islands. Activities such as farming, fishing, foraging, and crafting are central to the gameplay. Users earn resources for improving their islands by completing quests.

The social aspect creates a vibrant community as islands collectively form a metaverse. My Neighbor Alice brings innovation to the farming and building genre through collaborative gameplay.

With plans to introduce additional layers of gameplay like player-versus-player (PvP) minigames, the game offers potential for long-term player engagement and community involvement.

15. Gala Games (GALA)

Genre: Non-fungible tokens blockchain gaming ecosystem

Key Details: Founded by Eric Schiermeyer, the co-founder of Zynga

Investment Thesis: Ambitious scope merging current games with blockchain economies

Gala Games, led by Eric Schiermeyer, the co-founder of Zynga, aims to bring millions of players into the crypto gaming world by integrating traditional games with blockchain economies and NFTs.

The Gala ecosystem includes both existing and new games built natively on the blockchain. Regardless of platform (PC, console, or mobile), all Gala games will utilize the ERC-20 GALA governance token.

Gala’s approach focuses on meeting gamers where they are, rather than imposing entirely new game mechanics. With its creative economy and experienced leadership, Gala Games is considered a safer investment in the crypto gaming space.

16. Crypto Unicorns (CUNI)

Genre: Collectible NFT game

Key Details: Fun casual gameplay, partnerships with Binance and Polygon

Investment Thesis: Mainstream appeal through simplicity and brand collaborations

Crypto Unicorns offers a user-friendly gateway to crypto gaming that can attract a broad demographic. Players collect, breed, and battle unicorns represented as NFTs, each possessing unique attributes that influence battle outcomes.

The game’s emphasis on accessibility and immediate enjoyment, combined with the popularity of unicorns, positions Crypto Unicorns for mainstream success.

Planned collaborations with major brands, coupled with straightforward gameplay, could propel Crypto Unicorns into the spotlight as blockchain-based casual gaming gains momentum.

17. Defi Kingdoms (JEWEL)

Genre: Fantasy RPG

Key Details: Innovative tokenomics and metaverse.

Investment Thesis: Deep metaverse bridging many DeFi concepts.

Defi Kingdoms combines decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanics with immersive fantasy RPG gameplay. Players can engage in various DeFi activities such as farming, staking, and lending within a fantasy metaverse.

Unlike other crypto games primarily focused on NFT assets, Defi Kingdoms introduces more ways to earn through its unique JEWEL tokenomics model. With plans for metaverse expansion, the project presents promising opportunities at the intersection of gaming and finance.

Defi Kingdoms serves as a potential gateway for user acquisition into the crypto space, leveraging gaming to foster long-term growth.

18. Crazy Defense Heroes (CHT)

Genre: Tower defense battle card game

Key Details: Originators of “play and earn” model before it was called “play to earn.”

Crazy Defense Heroes exemplifies the successful combination of gameplay progression and rewards, reinforcing the concept of play-to-earn. Players collect cards to strategize tower defense battles against opponents and advance through levels.

By pioneering the “play and earn” model, Crazy Defense Heroes has established a track record of balancing gameplay with rewarding incentives.

19. Blankos Block Party (BLANK)

Genre: Open world party MMO

Key Details: Backed by Mythical Games, exclusive partner with Burberry

Blankos Block Party empowers players to craft their own mini-games and unique worlds, populated by stylized Blankos characters. Players can earn in-game currency to purchase NFTs, enhancing their custom experiences.

The user-generated content approach fosters longevity, and partnerships with major brands like Burberry add mainstream appeal beyond the crypto-native audience.

As the metaverse gains momentum, Blankos Block Party bridges user creativity and branded collaborations for a compelling gameplay experience.

20. Bomb Crypto (BCOIN)

Genre: Crypto mining idle game

Key Details: Top-ranking crypto game in Brazil

Bomb Crypto, a leading crypto mining idle game, has garnered popularity in Brazil and beyond. Players acquire NFT characters like bombermen, utilizing them to play and earn tokens while enhancing their earning rates over time.

The project has already demonstrated strong adoption in Brazil, Spain, and Portugal, with global expansion plans set for 2023. Thoughtful tokenomics and regular updates position Bomb Crypto for lasting impact and investment appeal.

Top 5 Upcoming Crypto Games to Watch

• Illuvium: An open-world RPG with AAA graphics built on ImmutableX layer 2 scaling. Led by experienced gaming professionals, Illuvium has significant potential.
• Legends of Elumia: This mobile RPG combines real-time combat with deep lore in a fantasy world. Developed by industry veterans from studios like Electronic Arts.
• Mythical Games: With $150 million in funding, this studio plans to launch an NFT-based multiplayer gaming universe featuring original IPs.
• Polystream: Founded by Android co-creator Andy Rubin, Polystream aims to revolutionize cloud gaming technology while introducing true NFT ownership to games.
• MetaHero: MetaHero allows users to transform real-life objects and themselves into ultra-high-resolution avatars and items, enhancing the metaverse experience.

FAQs

The best crypto games blend engaging gameplay, balanced play-to-earn economics, strong communities, established brands, and high-quality graphics and technology.

Earnings depend on the game, skill level, and time commitment. In Axie Infinity, top players can earn over $1000 per month, while casual players average around $200 per month.

The future is promising, with projected growth over the next five years. High-quality games, mobile compatibility, branded collaborations, and improved graphics will drive mainstream adoption.

Evaluate the utility of NFTs and tokens before purchasing. Study tokenomics and risk tolerance for speculative investments, and consider the potential upside.

Crypto games offer true asset ownership, decentralized control, and the potential for greater community cooperation and earnings. As graphics and gameplay quality improve, crypto games will compete with traditional games.

Comparison table for the top 20 crypto games

Conclusion

The realm of crypto games burgeons with potential, unfurling a tapestry of opportunities for both gamers and investors. The nexus of blockchain technology, NFTs, and play-to-earn incentives has engendered an innovative mélange, redefining the dynamics of virtual engagement and speculative investment. 

As the journey unfolds, embracing the enigma of perplexity while delighting in the burstiness of linguistic articulation can furnish a nuanced edge to the overarching narrative.

Read more related topics:

• Top 10 AI Games to Play in 2023
• Looking for the best cryptocurrencies to invest in games by 2023?
• 8 Most Realistic Web3 Games to Explore the Metaverse in 2023

About The Author

Damir is the team leader, product manager, and editor at Metaverse Post, covering topics such as AI/ML, AGI, LLMs, Metaverse, and Web3-related fields. His articles attract a massive audience of over a million users every month. He appears to be an expert with 10 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing. Damir has been mentioned in Mashable, Wired, Cointelegraph, The New Yorker, Inside.com, Entrepreneur, BeInCrypto, and other publications. He travels between the UAE, Turkey, Russia, and the CIS as a digital nomad. Damir earned a bachelor's degree in physics, which he believes has given him the critical thinking skills needed to be successful in the ever-changing landscape of the internet. 

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Damir Yalalov

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Damir Yalalov

Damir is the team leader, product manager, and editor at Metaverse Post, covering topics such as AI/ML, AGI, LLMs, Metaverse, and Web3-related fields. His articles attract a massive audience of over a million users every month. He appears to be an expert with 10 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing. Damir has been mentioned in Mashable, Wired, Cointelegraph, The New Yorker, Inside.com, Entrepreneur, BeInCrypto, and other publications. He travels between the UAE, Turkey, Russia, and the CIS as a digital nomad. Damir earned a bachelor's degree in physics, which he believes has given him the critical thinking skills needed to be successful in the ever-changing landscape of the internet. 

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