Crypto and gaming collide in high-risk 'play-to-earn' economies

FILE PHOTO: A horse character called "Pega", which is raced by players in the blockchain-based game "Pegaxy", is seen in this handout image, Philippines, March 2022. Angela Hoffman/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Jarindr Thitadilaka says he made as much as $2,000 a month last year from his collection of digital pets, which he would breed and send into battle to win cryptocurrencies.

The 28-year-old from Bangkok was playing Axie Infinity, one of a new breed of blockchain-based online games, dubbed "play-to-earn", which blend entertainment with financial speculation.