nGRND.io, also known as the nGRND Gold Protocol, a Web3 and blockchain initiative backed by a treasury of verified in-ground preserved gold and revenue from monetisation of preserved gold sites, reported that its sponsored mobile games Gold Fest and Dig It have collectively attracted more than 855,000 players across over 200 countries.
The milestone comes as the project continues to expand its proof-of-stake-based rewards system ahead of its planned Token Generation Event (TGE), indicating increased participation prior to token issuance.
Gold Fest, developed by GAMEE, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands and recently acquired by Alpha Compute Corporation, accounted for 549,000 participants, while Dig It, operated by Funny Till U Die Ltd., recorded 306,000 players through its Telegram-based format. The project noted that average daily active users across both titles exceeded 220,000.
Participants in the first season accumulated approximately $6 million in ecosystem rewards, which are intended to be converted into nGRND Gold Protocol tokens under the project’s internal reward structure. The project said its reward model is based on a treasury of preserved gold and revenue from alternative land-use monetisation and related initiatives, rather than traditional play-to-earn mechanisms.
Reward recipients will be eligible to receive one of three types of NFTs. These NFTs will unlock soul-bound tokens featuring unique attributes, along with rewards and bonuses linked to user participation in the nGRND Gold Protocol’s proof-of-stake framework.
Also, participants engaging in nGRND.io sponsored games, Discord quests, and upcoming ecosystem initiatives may also receive collectible NFTs, badges, and boost mechanisms that provide additional rewards within the protocol.
Protocol Structure, Audits, and Expansion Roadmap
The nGRND framework sets itself apart by anchoring its ecosystem with verified, in-ground preserved gold resources in its treasury that is used to sustain the staking rewards for Token holders. To ensure transparency and address common industry concerns regarding asset validation, the protocol’s preserved gold treasury is subject to nGRND Inc.’s rigorous third-party auditing in accordance with National Instruments’s such as NI 43-101 and other industry and government approved reporting and verification processes.
“nGRND.io is introducing a new framework for a gold-based utility with participation sustained by real monetised value without extraction or environmental decimation” said Professor Lisa Wilson, CEO and Co-Founder. “As an innovative gold protocol built for Web3 and to distribute value using the blockchain layer, nGRND provides active staking rewards sustained by distributions from the realised appreciation of gold in our treasury, plus ESG and SDG measured alternative land-use monetisation of preserved sites and other sustainability-driven initiatives that strengthen the long term utility of the nGRND Gold Protocol. The Protocol connects real world business and sustainability with Web3.”
Following the success of the first season, Dig It has already launched Season 2 with upgraded gameplay mechanics designed to deepen engagement. Gold Fest is scheduled to begin its second season in early Q3 2026. Both programs are expected to conclude their initial phases by Sept. 30, 2026, at which point reward claims will begin to be processed. The project is currently supported by the TON Foundation, with further expansion planned across additional blockchain networks, including Base.
Looking beyond gaming, nGRND.io is preparing to expand its proof-of-stake network into eight operational participation streams, including Governance, Impact, Play, Learn, Advocate, Refer, Wellbeing, and a dedicated channel for AI Agents. These mechanisms will enable participants in the staking programme to increase reward multipliers and receive distributions from the rewards pool that is sustained by revenues generated from initiatives that have measured impact against ESG and the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, plus other initiatives on the preserved gold sites.
By connecting Protocol gold treasury holdings, preserved gold sites, and network partners with a scalable utility-driven framework, nGRND.io delivers modernised digital participation in the gold sector. The protocol leverages blockchain infrastructure to provide provenance and to create accessible, transparent opportunities for participation and distribute real value without requiring traditional mining extraction.
About nGRND Gold Protocol
The nGRND Gold Protocol is a blockchain-enabled digital participation and rewards network that distributes value on a blockchain sustained by verified preserved in-ground gold resources and alternative land use monetisation aligned to measured ESG and SDG impact. The protocol connects our gold treasury holding preserved gold, preserved gold sites, ecosystem partners, and participants through a scalable utility-driven framework that supports engagement, sustainability initiatives, digital participation streams, staking opportunities, and ecosystem-based rewards.
Built to modernise participation in the gold sector, the nGRND Gold Protocol leverages transparency, ESG and SDG measured targets and principles, and blockchain infrastructure to create new forms of interaction around preserved gold without requiring traditional mining extraction. The protocol is designed to support long-term ecosystem growth through strategic partnerships, gamification initiatives, digital commerce integrations, and community participation models.
The nGRND Gold Protocol aims to bridge the legacy gold industry with the emerging digital economy by creating accessible, transparent, and participation-driven and rewarded opportunities supported by preserved gold and network engagement.
For more information, please visit https://ngrnd.io