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by Sandy Staff

Rolling the Dice On Crypto: Binance Backgammon Bridges Generations

18 Mar 2025

Crypto can often feel like an exclusive club — one where everyone nods along while secretly wishing for a handbook. But what if digital finance could be introduced in a setting that has been a staple of Middle Eastern culture for centuries? That is precisely what Binance is doing with Binance Backgammon, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between generations by highlighting the traditions of the region's culture, and its push for decentralised finance. By bringing crypto discussions to the backgammon board, the campaign creates a familiar and engaging space for organic conversations. After all, both backgammon and digital finance revolve around strategy, risk management, and knowing when to make a move. Let’s dive into the story!

Where did the inspiration come from?

Binance Backgammon was launched with a simple goal: to get the older generation talking about crypto and the future of finance — without the jargon, the sales pitch, or the eye-rolls. The real challenge? It was never the technology but its overly complex perception, risky reputation, and exclusively for the young digital-first crowd. So, the approach needed a game plan, literally. This is where Backgammon came in, the centuries-old staple in Middle Eastern culture, became the perfect bridge to compare strategy and luck, much like the nuances of crypto. More than this, backgammon is a game that brings people together across generations, making it the perfect setting for exchanging ideas (and, occasionally, some competitive banter).
By introducing crypto into this familiar environment, the campaign does not just make a point about decentralised finance, it highlights how digital exchanges share many of the same principles: strategy, decision-making under uncertainty, risk management, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions. In backgammon, players roll the dice and adjust. In crypto, they read the market and make their move. Either way, the key is knowing when to take a calculated risk and when to play it safe.
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Why focus on the older generation?

Reports have shown that the 55+ demographic is the least likely to engage with crypto. Cautious, risk-averse, and generally sceptical of new financial markets, older generations prefer stability, find blockchain overly technician, and fail to see its relevance or value.
It was about breaking down barriers, making conversations around crypto more accessible, and ultimately, creating a framework for crypto that portrays the industry in a less intimidating light.
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The setting: Let's meet at Al Seef

For a campaign rooted in tradition, the location had to feel authentic. Al Seef Heritage Hotel, a place where backgammon, tea, and lively conversation come naturally, was the perfect backdrop. This wasn’t a staged event, it was a cultural moment, where crypto was introduced not as an alien concept but as a natural part of an evolving financial landscape.
And who better to feature in this campaign than the very people who have been playing backgammon for decades? There was no scouting for crypto experts, no KOLs, no influencers, just backgammon players who know the game, inside and out. As anyone who has lived in the region long enough knows, someone always knows someone who plays. Understanding that the backgammon board is often where real conversations start, we had no forced agenda — just curiosity and a couple of dice.
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The takeaway: Crypto, but make it approachable

The best part of Binance Backgammon? Watching someone who had never considered digital finance suddenly start making connections. When framed in the right way, crypto starts to make sense.
Does Binance Backgammon fit into Binance’s broader mission in the Middle East? Absolutely. The goal is to make digital finance accessible to everyone, everywhere, while contributing to the global freedom of money. And the best way to start meaningful conversations? Naturally, over tea, strategy, and a game that has stood the test of time.
This campaign was never about convincing people overnight — it was about meeting them where they are. It was about sparking curiosity, encouraging dialogue, and showing that finance, like backgammon, is all about strategy, adaptability, and playing the long game.
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