How BEAM Foundation Is Shaping the Future of Web3 Gaming
Staff Writer • 2025-02-14
From Crypto Rabbit Holes to a Blockchain Revolution If there’s one industry that never sleeps, it’s Web3. And if there’s one company betting big on its future, it’s BEAM Foundation. Led by Marco van den Heuvel, BEAM has quietly built one of the largest Web3 gaming treasuries, investing in over 80 gaming studios and establishing itself as a key player in blockchain gaming infrastructure. In a recent conversation on the Stonks Go Moon podcast, van den Heuvel shared his journey from being red-pilled into Bitcoin in 2017 to building an L1 blockchain designed to reshape gaming economies. His story reflects not only the meteoric rise of Web3 but also the relentless adaptability required to survive in a fast-moving industry. The Accidental Crypto Entrepreneur Like many in the space, van den Heuvel stumbled into crypto by accident. In 2017, while preparing for a study-abroad program in the U.S., a friend posed a simple question: Why leave your money sitting in the bank when you could invest in Bitcoin? That single moment sparked a year-long deep dive into the world of digital assets. He immersed himself in white papers, joined early Telegram groups, and watched the market evolve in real time. His business acumen—originally honed through international business studies—helped him identify crypto’s growing intersection with gaming. "Gamers have always understood digital assets. Whether it's skins in Counter-Strike or gold in Runescape, in-game economies have been around for decades," van den Heuvel explained. "Bitcoin just made it real." From Axie Infinity Breeding to a Web3 Powerhouse Van den Heuvel’s first foray into blockchain gaming was through Axie Infinity, where he became an early breeder of NFTs long before they hit mainstream consciousness. That experience led him to establish a gaming guild, which later evolved into BEAM—a foundation that provides infrastructure, funding, and advisory support to blockchain game developers. Today, BEAM operates as a multifaceted entity within the Web3 gaming space. The foundation manages one of the largest Web3 gaming treasuries and has invested in artificial intelligence and decentralized cloud gaming, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology. In addition to its funding initiatives, BEAM has recently launched its own Layer 1 blockchain, specifically designed to support gaming ecosystems. To further expand its impact, the foundation has introduced BEAM Ventures, a $150 million gaming investment fund based in Abu Dhabi, aimed at fostering innovation in the space. The shift from gaming guilds to an L1 blockchain wasn’t part of the original plan, but as van den Heuvel puts it: "Crypto moves fast. If you’re not pivoting, you’re probably already dead." The $73M Token Burn: Why BEAM is Playing the Long Game One of BEAM’s boldest moves to date was its massive token burn, where the foundation took $73 million worth of fees from node sales and permanently removed them from circulation. While many projects would have kept the funds in a treasury for future expansion, BEAM opted to reduce supply instead of inflating its ecosystem with unnecessary dilution. According to van den Heuvel, the decision to burn tokens rather than store them in the treasury was a deliberate choice to strengthen the ecosystem and ensure that existing holders were not diluted. The goal was never to raise funds but rather to kickstart a decentralized network in a way that encouraged participation without introducing unnecessary speculative elements. Instead of using the funds as a capital-raising mechanism, BEAM prioritized the long-term stability and value of its blockchain. "We’re not fundraising—we’re building," van den Heuvel said. "A decentralized network only works if people actually want to participate, not just speculate." AI, Gaming, and the Future of Web3 While blockchain is BEAM’s foundation, artificial intelligence is its next frontier. The company has made strategic investments in decentralized cloud computing projects that could revolutionize both game development and cloud gaming. AI-driven tools and systems are expected to play an increasingly significant role in the industry, but van den Heuvel remains cautious about the hype surrounding AI agents. He warned about the dangers of what he calls "shiny object syndrome," a phenomenon where companies chase trends instead of focusing on sustainable innovation. Web3 gaming has seen multiple hype cycles—from Play-to-Earn models to gaming guilds and Telegram-based games—and many projects have failed because they constantly pivot without a clear strategy. BEAM, in contrast, is ensuring that its AI investments align with its core infrastructure rather than serving as a distraction. "Web3 has this bad habit of chasing trends—first Play-to-Earn, then gaming guilds, then Telegram games, and now AI agents. If you keep pivoting without a core strategy, you’ll crash and burn," he explained. Telegram, Gaming, and the Battle for Digital Economies The conversation also touched on Telegram’s massive gaming user base, which currently boasts 950 million monthly active users. As Web3 projects rush to integrate gaming into the messaging platform, van den Heuvel remains cautious about the hype. While he acknowledges the platform’s potential, he argues that a game’s success depends on much more than just user volume. He also pointed out that while Telegram offers significant advantages for game developers—such as anonymity, seamless group interactions, and built-in cryptocurrency support—its success does not necessarily mean that all gaming projects should shift to the platform. He questioned whether competitors like WhatsApp, which has traditionally been slow to adopt gaming functionalities, could replicate Telegram’s model. However, he emphasized that the ultimate success of a platform depends on network effects and user adoption rather than just technical capabilities. "It’s not just about features—it’s about communities. And right now, Telegram has the edge." What’s Next for BEAM? With 2025 on the horizon, BEAM is entering a crucial phase in its development. The foundation is gearing up for the full-scale launch of its Layer 1 blockchain, which will enable greater scalability and efficiency for gaming applications. Several new Web3 games are expected to launch using BEAM’s infrastructure, and the foundation aims to establish itself as a major player in gaming technology. BEAM Ventures, the $150 million investment fund, will play a key role in supporting emerging gaming startups and helping them integrate blockchain technology. At the same time, BEAM’s investments in artificial intelligence will continue to evolve, focusing on how AI can enhance gaming experiences and cloud computing efficiency. Despite the industry’s volatility, van den Heuvel remains confident in BEAM’s long-term strategy. Rather than chasing every new trend, the foundation is focused on building sustainable infrastructure that will support the next generation of gaming. "In five years, people will either remember Web3 gaming as a failed experiment or as the next frontier of entertainment," van den Heuvel said. "We’re betting on the latter." Conclusion As Web3 gaming continues to evolve, BEAM Foundation is positioning itself as a leader in both blockchain infrastructure and AI-driven gaming innovations. By staying true to its vision while remaining flexible enough to adapt, BEAM is demonstrating what it takes to build a sustainable and forward-thinking ecosystem in a notoriously unpredictable industry. For those looking to follow BEAM’s journey, van den Heuvel encourages engagement through their official channels. The foundation is active on Twitter/X under the handle @BuildOnBeam, and discussions are ongoing in their Telegram community. Additionally, for the latest updates and insights, BEAM’s Medium blog provides a deep dive into the foundation’s strategic direction. As the gaming and blockchain industries continue to intersect, BEAM’s approach offers a glimpse into what the future of decentralized gaming might look like. Whether through AI-driven enhancements, tokenomics innovation, or community-driven gaming ecosystems, BEAM is proving that Web3 gaming is far from a fleeting trend—it’s an evolving revolution.
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