Next Xbox Could Feature Crypto Wallet, But You May Have to Wait for It

In leaked court documents surrounding the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) v. Microsoft case, some surprises made it to the light of day. The FTC, equivalent to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), is currently in legal proceedings over a planned merger between Microsoft Corp. and Activision Blizzard.

As The Verge reported, leaked court documents have surfaced with parts of unredacted text. Among some of the revealed details are plans for cloud hybrid games, potential Bethesda games, a brand-new Xbox controller, and even rumours about a Nintendo acquisition.

Could a Crypto Wallet Be Included within Xbox Ecosystems?

Additionally, Axios reported that Microsoft is planning the integration of a crypto wallet. It is unclear whether this will involve support for external wallets or the creation of a brand-new Microsoft crypto wallet. The plans can be seen on a chart with the Xbox logo, titled ‘Next Gen Platform for Immersive Apps and Games.’

Source: Microsoft/ FTC

There May be a Longer Wait Ahead

While the news about a new Xbox system is exciting, the leak also revealed that plans for a new Xbox are slotted with a release date of 2028. However, revamps of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are planned for 2024 the documents revealed. The new versions will include hardware improvements such as more storage and faster Wi-Fi, as well as an overhaul of the appearance of the Series X, while the Series S will remain visually the same.

 Source: Microsoft/ FTC

According to the sources, the plans had been shared in internal communications in May 2022, prior to the crypto market crash. It is unclear whether Microsoft still plans to integrate crypto. Additionally, the regulatory landscape in the United States is all but clear for crypto, which may further dampen any spirits to integrate a crypto solution.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer expressed his displeasure with the leaks, saying, “We’ve seen the conversation around old emails and documents. It is hard to see our team’s work shared in this way because so much has changed and there’s so much to be excited about right now, and in the future. We will share the real plans when we are ready.”