Given any public blockchain is simply an open supply database with comparatively costly transaction charges and an fascinating safety mannequin, it’s one thing of a shock that extra apps and video games haven’t been attempting out the know-how, a minimum of when it comes to backend efficiencies.
Now perhaps that’s about to vary with the information that Nintendo seems to be utilizing Parasol Applied sciences in its Pokémon Home app.
Pokémon Home up to date its Privateness Phrases on twenty third April and these now embody Parasol within the English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian variations of the sport, however apparently not the Japanese, Korean and Chinese language variations.
Be aware: 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 knowledge.
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 reminiscent of “in-game item tokenization, marketplaces, and on-chain gameplay without compromising game quality”.
After all, integrating a blockchain gaming tech firm’s know-how will not 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 will probably be immediately exposing blockchain to its customers any time quickly.
A extra believable situation can 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 Home – the ecosystem’s cloud-based hub for managing digital belongings – permits gamers to reward and commerce Pokémon characters and different sport belongings.
Certainly, the information has additionally been positioned round a selected replace to Pokémon Home, which introduces a brand new medal asset, which is just out there for cell customers, not for Swap – maybe a nod to its extremely experimental standing and first use in a decrease danger atmosphere.
These medals are “digital souvenirs that can be claimed by visiting real-life places with a connection to Pokémon or by participating in Pokémon events. These medals can be traded with other players or sent to them as gifts”, the blurb explains.
Like every other Pokémon asset, these don’t possess any overt monetary worth however that’s to not say they gained’t have any worth per se. As limited-edition belongings, folks will wish to gather 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 – thousands and thousands of {dollars} repeatedly change palms by way of gray markets buying and selling Pokémon, sport belongings 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 is rarely 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!
