Cross-platform gamification for a crypto exchange

Gamification for a DEX Exchange

Client

EVEDEX is a decentralized crypto exchange (DEX) where users trade directly from their own wallets, with no KYC and no custodial storage. They remain in full control of their assets at all times. More than just a DEX, EVEDEX is an ecosystem built for people who value privacy, security, and ease of use.

Goal

Most decentralized exchanges are perceived as complex products designed exclusively for experienced traders. The EVEDEX team wanted to change that perception by making the platform intuitive, engaging, and valuable for everyone, even complete beginners with no prior experience.

elements of interface

Challenge

Create a product that makes learning and trading feel like a game, but rewards every action with real value. Instead of trying the platform once and leaving, users should be motivated to explore the ecosystem, level up, and keep coming back.

Solution

Build a gamification system into the decentralized platform that:

  • Guides users from their first login to confident trading.
  • Delivers financial benefits rather than cosmetic achievements.
  • Integrates itself throughout the entire ecosystem, including trading, education and the affiliate program.
EVEDEX's user
element of gamification

Turned gamification into part of the product

Instead of adding gamification as a standalone feature, we integrated it into the entire user journey. Levels, skills, rewards, and bonuses are tied to real actions: trading, learning, inviting friends, and completing daily tasks. The more actively users engage with the platform, the more benefits they unlock.

All mechanics revolve around the Character page, which became the center of the progression system. This is where users track their character's development, claim rewards, and unlock new opportunities.

Built a community before the exchange launched

To attract users before launch, we created Early Birds, a dedicated gamified portal.

Users were motivated to complete simple tasks, such as following EVEDEX on social media, enabling two-factor authentication, verifying their email address, and sharing posts, to earn badges that were later transferred to the main platform, where they unlocked tangible value.

using EVEDEX
Gold pass with EVEDEX logo set in black rock

Some activities also moved to Discord and Telegram, including a mini-game featuring an EVEDEX rocket that flew through space collecting bonuses, which launched before the testnet went live.

As a result, the Early Birds mechanics became the bridge between discovering the project and becoming active users. By official-launch day, EVEDEX already had an active community, and after release, every achievement users had earned automatically became part of the platform's core gamification system.

Made the character the center of the user experience

To make progression feel intuitive and engaging, we introduced a character that levels up and evolves alongside the user.

Depot 42 designed characters with their own backstories, multiple evolution stages, different viewing angles, and three unique specializations: Basic, Trader, and Influencer.

EVEDEX characters
white character

The entire gamification system is visually represented and automatically updated in the user's profile as they complete challenges, tasks, and actions to level up and progress through their journey. There's no need to switch between sections: begin a mission → complete it → claim the reward.

Through this system, we transformed the interface from a collection of tools into a cohesive game-like experience.

upgrade character

Linked progression to real user actions

Large one-off missions became the foundation of the progression system.

Examples include:

  • Trade for five consecutive days.
  • Reach a trading volume of 10,000 USDT.
  • Follow EVEDEX on social media.
  • Invite five friends.
Starlight Team Member mission card with badges

Completing missions rewards users with experience points that increase their character level.

These missions serve two purposes concurrently: they encourage users to learn about the product while driving both trading activity and user acquisition.

Converted progression into a long-term engagement system

Missions alone aren't enough to keep users coming back every day, so we built a progression system inspired by game mechanics.

Completing missions earns experience points. Experience increases the character's level, and every new level unlocks additional benefits, including higher cashback, increased affiliate rewards, and skill points.

Skill points can be spent on artifacts that strengthen the character. For example, the Energy Cube permanently increases the user's current cashback by an additional 1%.

Professional Trader skill tree with three paths

At a certain level, users choose their specialization: Trader or Influencer. This decision determines whether future rewards focus on trading or referral benefits.

level of skill

The system offers growing benefits and increasing rewards through 50 levels. At the highest level, users receive up to a 30% discount on trading fees, while the Trader path unlocks an additional 10% cashback and the Influencer path provides up to a 15% boost to referral commissions.

Built a habit of returning every day

We introduced Daily Tasks to encourage regular engagement: short, recurring challenges inspired by products such as Duolingo.

For example, today's task may require reaching a certain trading volume, while tomorrow's objective will be different.

example of task

Completing Daily Tasks rewards users with crystals and experience points. Three crystals can be used to unlock a reward chest containing: experience, temporary cashback, affiliate bonuses, Collectibles tickets, or Lucky Shot tokens.

A total of three daily chests are available. Opening all of them activates Daily Streak and Daily Challenge milestones for 5, 15, and 30 consecutive days, providing additional experience rewards.

As a result, daily tasks consistently motivate users to return to the platform every day without fail.

daily tasks

Added collectibles with real value

To add value to progression, we introduced Collectibles: rewards that provide permanent gameplay bonuses.

Cards drop from reward chests, daily tasks, and missions. Besides collectibles, users may also receive experience points, skill points, temporary bonuses, or a chance to restore a missed Daily Streak.

The system includes twenty collectible figures, each with its own unique effect. For example:

  • Hodor increases cashback for BTC trading.
  • Lucky Cat grants 33 Lucky Shot tickets.
  • Shiba Inu boosts Dogecoin trading.
  • Stop-Loss Samurai gives players an extra Lucky Shot attempt without losing either their level or ticket.
collectibles: Hodor & Lucky Cat
collectibles: Shiba & Samurai

Collectibles became another reason to return to the platform. Users don't simply collect for display; they continuously strengthen their character and unlock additional benefits.

Added excitement without adding risk

To create short, engaging gameplay sessions, we designed the Lucky Shot mini-game.

After earning a token through Daily Tasks, users are able to choose one of two hidden prize tiles. Each successful round increases their potential reward, from 0.25 USDT all the way up to 100,000 USDT.

Users can cash out at any time or continue playing for a larger prize. After a win, the platform automatically generates a shareable results card.

lucky shot prize

The Lucky Shot mechanic added emotion and entertainment to the product while keeping users engaged without distracting them from trading.

EVEDEX mini game screen with prize ladder

Unified the entire ecosystem through one gamification system

Gamification runs consistently across every EVEDEX service.

For example, within the affiliate programme, a user's level depends on how active their referred users are. The higher the level, the greater the commission: growing from the base 30% to 40–50%.

Last winners table with traders and USDT prizes
prize of game

Every product within the ecosystem features leaderboards ranked by different time periods and activity types. Whether users are trading, learning, or growing their affiliate network, they can always track their progress and compare their performance against other users.

Gamification was never seen as a standalone feature. It was designed and built as a system that would improve engagement, retention, virality, and user onboarding across the entire platform.

Academic character in yellow armour with badges
Influencer character in blue armour with badges
Trader character in green armour with badges

Prepared users for the future token launch

EVEDEX plans to launch its own token, so the loyalty system was designed well in advance.

Badges earned during the Early Birds phase were converted into Points, which users will be able to exchange for tokens after the token generation event.

EVEDEX token

Points exist independently from the character progression system and reflect each user's long-term contribution to the platform.

Users earn Points through real activity, including:

  • Trading volume.
  • Gamification level.
  • Referral activity and referral trading volume.

This means that consistent platform activity already translates into future value. The earlier users join the ecosystem, the greater their potential reward after the token launch.

Results

The first iteration of the gamification system was launched in just
3months
Trading volume growth in the first month
20%
New users from marketing and the affiliate program
50–60%

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