May 25th 2022| Mike Humphrey

What is Defi Kingdoms

Defi Kingdoms (DFK) is a decentralized exchange (DEX) that introduced classic console graphics and RPG style game play to yield farming. Think old-school Final Fantasy crossed with DeFi; complete with NFT heroes that can increase your returns. Launched on August 22, 2021 on the Harmony blockchain, DFK quickly rose to popularity with its high yields and unique reward token that offered in game value above and beyond most other DEX/LP protocols. The utility-driven NFT’s combined with the nostalgic feel have made the game a great success.

Crystalvale

With the games growing popularity, the DFK dev team decided it was time to expand beyond the Harmony blockchain, and Partnered with Ava Labs to expand and create Crystalvale. On March 30th 2022 DFK launched Crystalvale on it’s own proprietary sub-net of the Avalanche network. The new DFK chain sub-net commissions Avalanche validators to approve transactions, using $JEWEL (the in game token) for gas fees.  The new sub-net infrastructure unlocks new potential for Defi Kingdoms and increases the utility for the in-game $JEWEL token.

Let’s Get Started

This guide has been split up into 2 sections to help you navigate better.  The first section, for users who are brand new to Crypto, includes a guide on how to purchase cryptocurrency and it to Avalanche.  The second is for users familiar with cryptocurrency and includes a guide on how to transfer funds cross-chain to Avalanche and then move those funds to the DFK Chain.  Below are quick links you can use to skip to the relevant portions of the guide for you.

• New to Crypto Users Start Here
• Avalanche Users Start Here
• Non-Avalanche Users (Guide – Bridging to ) – Follow the guide to briding assets and then return to the Avalanche Users Section

If you have played Defi Kingdoms on Harmony, we have a guide on Bridging from Serendale to Crystalvale

New to Crypto Users Start Here

1. Install Metamask

   Metamask is an online crypto wallet that allows your web browser to connect with applications and interact with the blockchain. You can download and install the wallet at Metamask.io. Before installing we recommend considering purchasing a hardware wallet to secure your crypto. A hardware wallet like Trezor or Ledger will help keep your crypto safe. Find out more by reading our articles about How To Use Metamask Safely and Crypto Wallets.
   
   After you have installed Metamask be sure to add the Avalanche C-Chain network details. This will allow Metamask to connect to and communicate with the Avalanche blockchain.

2. Purchase AVAX

   Now that you have a crypto wallet installed you will need to purchase AVAX tokens (the gas token for the Avalanche blockchain). Gas fees are the cost you must pay in order to complete any transaction on the block chain. On Avalanche these fees must be paid with AVAX the proprietary token. If you are familiar with purchasing crypto on an exchange you can purchase AVAX tokens there and send them to your Metamask wallet address. Our guide on how to purchase AVAX will show you step by step how you can purchase AVAX using the crypto.com app and transfer it to your wallet.

   

Avalanche Users Start From Here

The next step in the process is to exchange your AVAX for $JEWEL tokens.  As mentioned above, Crystalvale  was deployed on the DFK Chain sub-net.  The DFK-chain uses $JEWEL as the gas token, and we must have $JEWEL in our wallet in order to pay for transactions on the chain. The first step is to swap AVAX for $JEWEL on Avalanche C-Chain and then bridge the $JEWEL over to our wallet on the DFK-Chain so that we can perform transactions once on the DFK-chain.

3. 3. 3. Swap AVAX to $JEWEL

         To swap your AVAX (or any other Avalanche C-Chain) tokens for $JEWEL you will need to head to the Pangolin Exchanage. Pangolin has a liquidity pool that will allow you to swap AVAX for $JEWEL tokens. The tokens are multi-chain $JEWEL which will then be bridged to the DFK Chain.

      4. Talk to Snow Sage Ellia

         Now that there are multi-chain $JEWEL tokens in your wallet, the next step is to head to the game website game.defikingdoms.com and speak with Snow Sage Ellia. The game has a built-in bridge and RPC adder to get you up and running quickly.
         Click on Snow Sage Ellia’s name to speak with her.  Click get started and in the pop up window choose the move JEWEL option.In the pop-up choose Bridge JEWEL and the DFK bridge will open up in a new window. Keep both windows open. In the DFK bridge window make sure Avalanche C-Chain and multiJEWEL are selected.  The destination should show Defi Kingdoms and JEWEL.  Enter the amount of JEWEL you want to bridge and then click Approve Bridge.  Approve the transaction in Metamask. (there should be 2 approvals required).
         Once the transaction has completed you can close the bridge window. This will take you back to Sage Ellia.

   

3. Add DFK Chain to Metamask

   To make this step easier the DFK dev’s have simplified the process of adding the DFK Chain RPC details to Metamask. In Sage Ellia’s window click on Travel to Crystalvale, this will send a trasnaction to Metamask to add the DFK Chain.

   

   Confirm the transaction details match the screenshot below and allow the site to add the network. As long as the details match the screen shot you can ignore the warnings. You can also confirm the RPC details on game.defikingdoms.com docs, and Chainlist.  Once added switch to the new network.

   
   **Note: once you have added the network you will no longer be able to speak with sage Ellia to bridge tokens, you will either have to visit the bridge from the in-game World Map, or you can delete the chain from Metamask and then re-add.

Welcome to Crystalvale

Welcome to Crystalvale, you’ve official made it to the new kingdom.  Take the time to explore the World Map and learn how to navigate the menus.

Crystalvale World Map

The World Map allows you to navigate Crystalvale Kingdom. Exploring all the areas is beyond the scope of this article, but feel free to read our Serendale Defi Kingdoms Guide which goes through all the critical areas and their functions.

How to Farm $CRYSTAL

At its heart the game is a Decentralized Exchange (DEX) that allows you to swap tokens. The tokens for these swaps are provided by players to the liquidity pools. As a liquidity provider you receive a portion of the exchange fees charged when someone uses the pool to swap tokens. To take part in the game you add liquidity to a pool by buying seeds. You can then stake your liquidity pool tokens by planting them in the the Crystalvale Gardens and earn CRYSTAL tokens in return. As you collect CRYSTAL you will be able to purchase hero NFT’s who can perform quests that offer in-game rewards that can be exchange for $JEWEL, CRYSTAL or USDC. Follow the steps below to use your bridged $JEWEL to begin farming CRYSTAL

1. Swap 50% of Your Tokens  – The Market

   The first step in adding liquidity is to head to the Market so that you can swap half of your JEWEL for one of the other token types (liquidity must be added to pools in a 50/50 ratio). Head to the Marketplace by clicking on the label on the World Map, or by using the drop down menu in the top right corner. Once at the Marketplace speak to the trader and a pop-up will open. You can then swap 50% of your $JEWEL for one of the other token types available. In our example we chose xJEWEL.

   **NOTE: Plan to swap less than 50% of the $JEWEL in your wallet so that you keep some JEWEL for transaction fees.

   

2. Create Pool Seeds

   Now that you have a token pair available we will deposit these tokens into one of Crystalvale’s liquidity pools. In DeFi Kingdoms adding liquidity to a pool is done by purchasing seeds. To do this, speak with the Druid in the Marketplace. A pop-up will open, select $JEWEL and the other Token you would like to add to the pool (xJEWEL in our example) and add them in equal ratios. It will automatically calculate the equivalent amounts for you based on the current value of the tokens.  Click Supply and approve the transaction in Metamask

   

3. Plant Your Seeds

   You have now deposited liquidity into one of the Crystalvale pools, but we also want to stake these liquidity tokens in order to earn CRYSTAL rewards. Staking in DeFi Kingdoms is done by depositing your seeds into the Gardens. Head to the Gardens using the menu or World Map. Once here click on the seed box. In the pop-up window click deposit beside your liquidity pair.

   
   A new window will open where you can approve and deposit your tokens.

4. Harvest Your rewards

   With your seeds successfully planted you are now earning CRYSTAL. A portion of this CRYSTAL is locked in the protocol and a portion will be available to harvest. The locked CRYSTAL will unlock over time. To harvest your available CRYSTAL you simply head to the Gardens and click on Harvest and claim your rewards.

   

Conclusion – What to Do with Your CRYSTAL?

Now that you are earning CRYSTAL, the question is, what to do next?  You have a couple of options but which one you choose really has to do with your goal.

Deposit Crystal with the Jeweler

If you’re looking to stack CRYSTAL, you can take your harvest rewards and deposit them with the Jeweler for xCRYTSAL.  When you deposit tokens with the Jeweler you are staking them in the DFK Crystalvale protocol as a whole. In return you receive a portion of the profits on the whole ecosystem. xCRYSTAL increases in value over time as rewards accumulate. You continue to hold the same amount of xCRYSTAL, but its value versus CRYSTAL will increase.  This is a low risk method of storing CRYSTAL will still getting a small return.  This is less lucrative than re-depositing your returns into the gardens, but it removes the risk of impermanent loss.

Harvest and Re-invest

Harvesting and Re-investing will give you higher returns than depositing your CRYSTAL with the Jeweler. The APR’s on the gardens are significantly higher. That being said, re-investing your rewards opens you up to potential impermanent loss and locks a portion of your returns.  To do this, simply harvest your returns, head to the Marketplace, swap 50% for a secondary token type and repeat the above process.

Taking Profits

Whether you stack CRYSTAL with the Jeweler to use in the game, or you re-invest to compounded your returns, you should always be thinking about how and when to take profits.  Be sure to accumulate your returns in a safer token like USDC which is less subject to fluctuations.

Let us know if this guide helped you, are you playing DeFi Kingdoms, what are your thoughts?  Tell us in the comments

Mike Humphrey

Hi I’m Mike, an active crypto investor DeFi enthusiast and crypto miner. I have been involved in crypto since March of 2021 and in DeFi since May 2021.

I’m also an avid outdoor adventurer!

MykHumphrey.com

mykhumphrey.com

May 9th 2022| Mike Humphrey

What is Metamask

Metamask is a web3 cryptocurrency wallet that allows users to store ERC-20 (Ethereum based) tokens and interact with decentralized applications.  Metamask interacts with EVM blockchains, including Ethereum Mainnet, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Avalanche, Harmony and Fantom.  With a web3 enabled wallet users can engage with DeFi Apps and crypto games.  Link your wallet to protocols through their websites, and communicate directly with the blockchain.  Find out more about cryptocurrency wallets and Metamask.

What is Avalanche

Avalanche is a layer 2 solution blockchain and an open, programmable smart contracts platform for decentralized applications.  Launched in September of 2020, it is currently the third largest blockchain by TVL with over 200+ DApps, including Trader Joe, Pangolin, Aave and Defi Kingdoms Crystalvale.

Avalanche has 3 main chains that each perform different functions. They are X-Chain, P-Chain and C-Chain.  X-Chain is used to create and exchange tokens.  P-Chain coordinates Avalanche validators and creates subnets.  C-Chain executes and allows interaction with smart contracts.  In order to use DApps on the Avalanche network we must add Avalanche C-Chain to Metamask.

Add Avalanche to Metamask

In order for Metamask to interact with contracts on Avalanche, we will need to add the C-Chain network RPC.  This will allow Metamask to interact with the blockchain and gives it the ability to send and receive transactions, and sign contracts. Follow the steps below to add Avlanche to Metamask

1. 1. Open Metamask

      Open Metamask and click the drop-down menu in the very center of the top of the window.  This is the network selection menu.  At the bottom of the menu click the Add Network button.
      

   2. Avalanche to Metamask C-Chain RPC details

      A new window will pop up where you will be able to enter the network settings.  This is where we will input the Network name, RPC, Chain ID, Currency Symbol and Block Explorer URL. Not all of the details are mandatory, but filling them all in will make Metamask easier to use later.

      

      The Avalanche c-chain network details can be found in the following table. You can copy them into the corresponding fields in Metamask.

      Network Name	Avalanche Network
      New RPC URL	https://api.avax.network/ext/bc/C/rpc
      Chain ID	43114
      Currency Symbol (Optional)	AVAX
      Block Explorere URL (Optional)	https://snowtrace.io/

      The currency symbol AVAX, is the gas fee token for the Avalanche network.  The explorer URL will allow you to check the status of transactions directly from Metamask.  We recommend adding both.

Add Missing Coins

Once the Avalanche network has been added it should auto-detect your coins.  If this does not happen, you can manually add coins to Metamask. In the Assets tab, scroll down to the bottom of the list and click on import tokens.

A new window will open asking for the token contract address, token symbol, and the number of decimal places.  Token addresses can be found using the Avalanche C-Chain block explorer snowtrace.io.

You can search for any token by its symbol, name, or address.  Simply type it into the search bar.  Once found, copy the address of the token and paste it into Metamask.  Enter the symbol, choose the number of decimal places and click add token.

Conclusion

Now that you have successfully been able to add Avalanche to Metamask you are ready to buy some cryptocurrency and take advantage of the amazing low fees, speeds and the over 200+ apps available on the Avalanche eco system.

What protocols most interest you on Avalanche? Let us know in the comments.

Mike Humphrey

Hi I’m Mike, an active crypto investor DeFi enthusiast and crypto miner. I have been involved in crypto since March of 2021 and in DeFi since May 2021.

I’m also an avid outdoor adventurer!

MykHumphrey.com

mykhumphrey.com

May 11th 2022| Mike Humphrey

What is Crystalvale

If you haven’t heard, the Defi Kingdoms dev team announced in early December 2021, that they would be creating a new realm called Crystalvale on the Avalanche block chain.  The highly anticipated cross-chain expansion of the ever popular Defi Kingdoms franchise promised the development of a new game token $CRYSTAL, new heroes and a plethora of new quests.  For those DFK veterans it was a welcome surprise and an opportunity to get in on the game again at the ground floor.

Crystalvale is designed off of the original Serendale kingdom and has many of the same features and areas, but with a new feel.  Once in the game you will recognize the standard Serendale areas including the Marketplace, Docks, Gardens and Jeweler.  Instead of the castle however, you will notice the cradle at the center of the map.  Along with a different look and feel the game also introduces a number of new NPC’s and what looks like a much richer back story.  There are quite a few little Easter eggs hidden throughout the realm and it’s worth taking a bit of time to explore.

Another big difference between Serendale and Crystalvale is the chain it operates on.  Serendale uses the Harmony block chain and transactions require the $ONE token to pay the gas fees.  Crystalvale however operates on a proprietary subnet on the Avalanche eco system.  The new DFK chain uses the in game $JEWEL token to pay gas fees.  This is a big bonus for those long time $JEWEL farmers as it increases the long term utility of the token

Avalanche and DFK Chain

In order to bring the world of Defi Kingdoms to Avalanche, the DFK dev team partnered with AVA Labs to create and pioneer the first GameFi Avalanche subnet.  Avalanche subnet technology allows projects to section off a group of Avalanche validators and commission them to validate transactions outside of the primary chain.  By commissioning the DFK Subnet Defi Kingdoms is now able to run and manage it’s own proprietary EVM blockchain for Crystalvale.  A huge step forward for the franchise.

Why Create the DFK Subnet?

JEWEL as Gas Token

By creating a proprietary Defi Kingdoms subnet the $JEWEL token can evolve from just being the Serendale governance token to the Network Gas Token of the new chain.  Players will use $JEWEL to pay for transaction on the DFK chain, increasing it’s utility and burn rate.

What Happens to the Gas Fees?

• A portion is used to pay commissions to the chain validators
• A portion is burnt (deflates the $JEWEL supply and increases the token value)
• A portion is sent to the Quest Fund which will be used to reward the community and players

Bridging from Harmony to DFK Chain

The DFK dev team has made bridging from Harmony to Avalanche a relatively simple process.  The Dockmaster has an inter-chain bridge built in, that will allow you to transfer directly from Serendale to Crystalvale with minimal hassle.  Follow the steps below to bridge your $JEWEL tokens to the new DFK chain and begin farming $CRYSTAL.

1. 1. 1. $JEWEL

         As mentioned above, the DFK chain uses $JEWEL as the gas token. You will need bridge $JEWEL to the new network in order to be able to perform transactions on the new chain. You will need to have $JEWEL in your wallet in order to bridge to the new chain. You can add $JEWEL to your wallet from

         • The Jeweler

           xJEWEL can be withdrawn as $JEWEL from the Jeweler and then be transferred to Crystalvale.
           

         • The Gardens

           Garden $JEWEL rewards can be harvested and then transferred to Crystalvale.
           

         • The Trader

           You can use the Trader in the Marketplace to exchange tokens or questing rewards for $JEWEL which you can then transfer to Crystalvale.
           

         • Purchased with FIAT on Ramp

           You can also use the following guide to transfer FIAT to Harmony and then bridge your assets Crystalvale.

   

   1. Dockmaster -Bridge from Serendale to Crystalvale

      With $JEWEL in your wallet you can now bridge assets from Harmony blockchain to the DFK Chain on Avalanche. Bridging simply moves your assets from one blockchain to another. To do this visit the Dockmaster and choose bridge tokens.
      
      Enter the number of tokens you want to move to Crystalvale and click Approve Bridge. Then approve the transaction in your crypto wallet.
      

   2. Dockmaster – Travel to Crystalvale

      Now that your $JEWEL tokens have been successfully bridged, use the Dockmaster to travel to Crystalvale. The new realm does not use a different web interface (the web address is the same).  To move from one realm to another you simply need to access it via the different chain in your wallet. When you click Travel to Crystal Vale, your wallet will pop up asking if you would like to add the DFK Chain to your wallet. This is much easier than manually inputting the DFK Chain RPC details. Once the added, the site will reload and take you to Crystalvale.
      
      

   3. Trade Your Tokens

      Once you have arrived you can exchange your $JEWEL tokens for one of the other tokens currently available on the DFK Chain (xJEWEL, AVAX, USDC etc.). You will need to swap 50% of your $JEWEL for one of these other tokens in order to purchase seeds which can then be planted in the Garden.

      **Note if you use all of your JEWEL to purchase seeds, you will no longer have tokens to pay the gas fees. Plan to leave a small portion of JEWEL in your wallet for transactions.**
      

   4. Buy Seeds

      Just like Serendale, Crystalvale also has Druid in the Marketplace where you purchase seeds. Using the newly traded tokens and your $JEWEL you can now purchase liquidity pool seeds.
      

   5. Plant Your Seeds

      With your new seeds in your pocket, head to the Gardens where you can deposit the seeds in the seed box to be planted.Once planted your new gardens will be generating $CRYSTAL
      

   6. Jeweler

      As you harvest your $CRYSTAL you can deposit it at the Jeweler for xCrystal, or you can use it to compound your returns by purchasing more seeds and depositing them into the Gardens.
      

Conclusion

Crystalvale and the DFK chain promises to be a great new addition to the DFKverse and we are super excited at the opportunity to get involved at the beginning of a new project.  We are looking forward to new heroes and quests as they become available.

What are your thoughts on the DFK Chain and Crystalvale? Let us know in the comments!

Mike Humphrey

Hi I’m Mike, an active crypto investor DeFi enthusiast and crypto miner. I have been involved in crypto since March of 2021 and in DeFi since May 2021.

I’m also an avid outdoor adventurer!

MykHumphrey.com

mykhumphrey.com