The project launched in 2020 as a Pokemon-inspired NFT game. In 2021, the Ronin sidechain debuted and Axie Infinity briefly handled 15% of global NFT trading volume. However, a major hack in March 2022 drained $625 million from the Ronin bridge. The team recovered, enhanced land gameplay in 2023, and by early 2025 launched a free-to-play version of Origins, removing the NFT barrier for new players.