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A coalition of leading crypto companies, led by the Crypto Council for Innovation and the member organization Proof of Stake Alliance (POSA), has officially sent an open letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), requesting the SEC to clarify that staking activities are not a form of investment securities.

Why is staking seen as a 'gray area'?

Staking is a core activity in blockchains that use the Proof of Stake mechanism (

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, has long outgrown the framework of a simple alternative to Bitcoin. It is a whole ecosystem, a platform for creating decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and, of course, DeFi (decentralized finance).
More than just money:

Whenever I hear people criticize crypto gaming, the environmental argument always resurfaces. It’s a topic that has shaped public perception for years, often overshadowing the real innovation happening in Web3. But as someone deeply involved with @Yield Guild Games and the broader blockchain gaming ecosystem, I’ve seen firsthand how much this conversation has evolved. The environmental debate today is no longer a simple blockchain bad, gaming good narrative. It’s far more nuanced, and frankly, far more optimistic than most people realize.

To be honest early blockchain systems weren’t perfect. Proof-of-Work chains consumed significant energy, and critics quickly tied that narrative to all of crypto, including gaming. Even though most Web3 games were never running on energy-intensive networks, the industry ended up carrying the weight of that perception. But the shift toward sustainability has been dramatic. Today, the majority of Web3 gaming ecosystems, including those supported by YGG, rely on Proof-of-Stake chains, #sidechains , and Layer-2 solutions that use a fraction of the energy traditional systems once did.

What many people don’t realize is that modern PoS chains often consume less energy than popular Web2 platforms. The carbon footprint of a transaction on chains like Polygon, #solana , or certain L2s is often lower than sending an email or watching a short video clip. That’s how far the technology has progressed. And this is the landscape where crypto gaming now operates. The narrative of blockchain harms the environment begins to fall apart when you look at how sustainable the infrastructure has become.

I think from a YGG perspective, this matters deeply because our communities are global and socially aware. Players and scholars want to participate in ecosystems that are not only fun and rewarding, but also responsible. YGG’s network of partners has increasingly shifted toward chains that emphasize sustainability. Many of the games we support have migrated to more energy-efficient networks or were built on them from the start. Developers now choose #Pos ecosystems not only because they are cheaper and faster, but because they align with modern environmental expectations.

Another thing that often gets overlooked is how decentralized infrastructure can actually reduce environmental strain compared to traditional gaming. Think about massive centralized servers required for Web2 games. These servers must run 24/7, often at a global scale, and require huge cooling systems, maintenance, and operational overhead. Blockchain networks distribute that load across nodes, many of which already exist for other purposes. Instead of relying on massive data centers owned by a single corporation, decentralized gaming takes advantage of shared infrastructure with a much smaller incremental footprint.

Then there’s renewable energy. PoS validators and node operators are increasingly choosing to operate on renewable power. Not because it’s mandated, but because it lowers costs and aligns with community values. Sustainability is becoming a competitive advantage. Entire ecosystems now celebrate carbon-neutral operations. Some even go the extra mile with carbon offsets or partnerships with environmental organizations.

The environmental criticisms were never entirely baseless, but they are now outdated. The conversation must evolve with the technology and the reality is that Web3 gaming is moving toward sustainability at a pace that few industries can match. YGG’s involvement, support, and partnerships play a key role in that shift because guilds amplify sustainable ecosystems through community adoption. When guilds choose to back games on efficient networks, players follow, developers notice, and the entire market begins to align with greener standards.

Another aspect I think about is how Web3 gaming empowers players in emerging markets regions where mobile devices dominate and energy consumption per user is already low. For many of these players, Web3 gaming provides opportunities that didn’t exist before. To criticize the environmental impact without acknowledging the socioeconomic benefits creates an incomplete picture. YGG’s mission has always been about access, empowerment, and opportunity. When sustainable chains intersect with these goals, the results can be life-changing.

The future is where the real promise lies. As technology continues to evolve, zero-knowledge proofs, #rollups , modular blockchains, and next-generation L1s will further reduce resource usage. We are moving toward a world where blockchain gaming transactions may become effectively carbon-neutral by default. YGG will continue supporting ecosystems that lead this movement, ensuring our scholars and players participate in gaming worlds that align with modern environmental standards.

The environmental debate is not going away but it’s no longer a barrier. It’s becoming a catalyst for innovation. Web3 gaming has transformed dramatically in just a few years, and the sustainability narrative is shifting just as fast. When I talk about this topic today, I’m not defensive I’m optimistic. Because I’ve watched the space evolve. I’ve seen guilds like YGG push for better technology and more responsible ecosystems. And I genuinely believe that the future of blockchain gaming will not only be more sustainable than its past it may even become one of the greenest sectors in digital entertainment.

The environmental debate around crypto gaming is not a crisis anymore. It’s a turning point. YGG is helping guide that transition toward a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable Web3 gaming future.

@Yield Guild Games
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