Xiaomi Copies Ethereum Blockchain Game Cryptokitties With The Launch Of CryptoBunnies

Chinese electronics manufacturer Xiaomi has announced the launch of a blockchain game called Cryptobunnies which seems like a rip off of the Ethereum blockchain game called KryptoKitties which introduced the idea of digital pets.

The new service is called Jiami Tu which translated to English means CryptoBunnies. The service will allow the company’s users who have Xiaomi accounts to adopt digital bunnies that exist on a blockchain system which stores every transaction detail related to each adoption. It is currently not clear whether the Chinese manufacturer is using a public or private blockchain to operate the game. However, it did reveal that the game will facilitate built-in scarcity meaning there will be a specific number as well as different designs for the bunnies.

The Chinese firm announced that it will initially provide a limited number of digital bunnies on a daily basis as per the service agreement. Xiaomi will issue the undisclosed number of cryptobunnies from 11:00 a.m. Beijing time. The launch of the new service seems to have attracted a lot of fans because all the CryptoBunnies that were issued on the first day of the launch were adopted within an hour. The company was also keen to point out that the new platform would not allow cryptocurrency or fiat currency trading and any fundraising activities.

Xiaomi's announcement about no support for cryptocurrency-related activities reiterates the recent ban on cryptocurrency exchanges, mining, ICOs, and trading. Despite the strict measures against anything to do with cryptocurrencies by Chinese regulators, the country is proving that Blockchain technology can still be used in other ways. It also highlights the growing interest in the creation of blockchain applications by Chinese firms.

CryptoBunnies and CryptoKitties are great examples of how emerging technologies such as blockchain to boost user engagement. Xiaomi is also not the only Chinese company that is adopting this trend. Chinese search giant, Baidu launched a crypto dog adoption service last month. Xiaomi is now a member of the Linux Foundation which is backed by a blockchain hyperledger consortium. It joined the foundation so that it can boost its internet solutions through blockchain technology.

Xiaomi’s interest in blockchain technology is also interesting and it leaves a lot of questions as to what the company is planning for the future. The Chinese tech giant has earned global recognition courtesy of its high-quality electronics especially its handset division. It has thus established itself as one of the technology juggernauts making an impact on a global scale.