Given any public blockchain is simply an open supply database with comparatively costly transaction charges and an attention-grabbing safety mannequin, it’s one thing of a shock that extra apps and video games haven’t been making an attempt out the know-how, a minimum of when it comes to backend efficiencies.
Now possibly that’s about to vary with the information that Nintendo seems to be utilizing Parasol Applied sciences in its Pokémon Dwelling app.
Pokémon Dwelling up to date its Privateness Phrases on twenty third April and these now embrace Parasol within the English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian variations of the sport, however apparently not the Japanese, Korean and Chinese language variations.
Observe: ILCA Inc. is a Japanese studio which partnered with The Pokémon Firm to create their three way partnership The Pokémon Works.
Therefore it appears notable that Parasol is listed alongside two direct builders of Pokémon video games, not in paragraph (c) alongside service suppliers. If nothing else it suggests it’s holding a better stage of person information.
As for Parasol itself, it’s a US-based outfit, which has been constructing out its personal web3 gaming infrastructure since 2022 and which was acquired by Mysten Labs, the ex-Meta spinout – which operates the Sui blockchain – earlier in 2025.
It solely works on web3 tech – an end-to-end platform enabling sport builders to implement functionalities akin to “in-game merchandise tokenization, marketplaces, and on-chain gameplay with out compromising sport high quality”.
After all, integrating a blockchain gaming tech firm’s know-how shouldn’t be the identical as launching NFTs in Pokémon GO. Equally, nevertheless, Nintendo integrating blockchain tech into one in all its key apps shouldn’t be ignored, even when it appears extremely unlikely it will likely be immediately exposing blockchain to its customers any time quickly.
A extra believable situation could be it’s experimenting with blockchain within the background to higher handle asset safety between accounts. That is significantly related when it comes to the best way Pokémon Dwelling – the ecosystem’s cloud-based hub for managing digital property – permits gamers to present and commerce Pokémon characters and different sport property.
Certainly, the information has additionally been positioned round a selected replace to Pokémon Dwelling, which introduces a brand new medal asset, which is just obtainable for cell customers, not for Change – maybe a nod to its extremely experimental standing and first use in a decrease danger atmosphere.
These medals are “digital souvenirs that may be claimed by visiting real-life locations with a connection to Pokémon or by taking part in Pokémon occasions. These medals may be traded with different gamers or despatched to them as items”, the blurb explains.
Like another Pokémon asset, these don’t possess any overt monetary worth however that’s to not say they received’t have any worth per se. As limited-edition property, individuals will need to acquire them, simply as in a wider sense all Pokémon characters are a part of a fancy in-game rarity ecosystem. That’s the purpose. Some Pokémon are actually uncommon and arduous to seek out.
And that’s why – regardless of EULAs – hundreds of thousands of {dollars} frequently change palms by way of gray markets buying and selling Pokémon, sport property and full accounts.
Utilizing a blockchain within the background – or perhaps a forked permissioned model of Sui – to higher perceive, handle and management these casual economics makes full sense, even when that info isn’t uncovered to gamers.
So permitting gamers to commerce these limited-edition medals utilizing a brand new in-game Pokémon forex that’s offchain to gamers however onchain for Nintendo doesn’t appear to be completely out of the query – in different phrases, blockchain with out the crypto!