Binance listings boost meme tokens as NFTs and DeFi expand into crypto gaming

Binance added the meme tokens Shiba Inu and PEPE to its platform, prompting a sharp price surge that made PEPE the top new cryptocurrency by volume. The exchange’s listing process emphasizes security audits, token‑omics review and regulatory compliance, and the heightened visibility on Binance drives retail participation and heightened trading volatility.

At the same time, non‑fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) assets are being repurposed to power blockchain‑based gaming experiences. Projects such as Axie Infinity, The Sandbox and Decentraland use NFTs as entry passes, in‑game items or virtual land, while DeFi tokens provide liquidity and reward mechanisms for players, turning crypto assets into tools for entertainment rather than solely speculative instruments.