Leaked internal documents have revealed that Microsoft has plans to integrate cryptocurrency wallets into its Xbox gaming console.
The Xbox roadmap for May 2022, as shown in the leaked documents, included support for crypto wallet integration. However, the specifics of this integration were not disclosed.
The leak was attributed to the Federal Trade Commission’s legal action against Microsoft, which unintentionally led to the inclusion of leaked documents in their submissions due to the opposition to the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The leaked documents also revealed other plans, including communications between Xbox executives, a new disc-less Xbox Series X, a gyro controller, and a next-gen hybrid Xbox in 2028.
Despite the possibility of changes to the company’s plans, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, tried to downplay the leak and expressed excitement for the future.
The cryptocurrency community has responded positively to the leak, with Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of Gemini, emphasizing the significance of the gaming industry and its potential impact on cryptocurrencies. While the integration of cryptocurrency wallets into Xbox could open up new use cases for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, it’s important to note that Microsoft has not officially confirmed any integration.
In August, Microsoft announced a collaboration with Aptos Labs, developer of the layer1 blockchain network Aptos (APT), to advance the capabilities of the web3 ecosystem. This partnership further demonstrates Microsoft’s expanding involvement in the crypto sector.