Social First acquires GamerPay to support expansion of player-driven item trading

Finnish game studio Social First has acquired GamerPay, a real-money marketplace for in-game items, in a deal that will see the platform continue to operate as usual while gaining new investment and development support. The acquisition amount was not disclosed.

GamerPay currently focuses on facilitating the buying and selling of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) skins, a market that has grown into a multi-billion-dollar segment driven largely by player-to-player transactions. The platform positions itself as a regulated alternative to informal trading channels, which often lack safeguards and expose users to fraud.

Under the new ownership, GamerPay will retain its existing accounts, listings, and community infrastructure. Social First plans to integrate the marketplace’s systems into its broader strategy of building games with player-driven economies, particularly those connected to its own title, Nexus Station. Longer-term, the company says it will work to expand the platform’s support to additional games beyond CS2.

Both companies state that the combined effort aims to support verified trading practices and introduce more transparent pricing structures in digital item markets. The acquisition follows recent fluctuations in CS2 skin trading, where changes within the game ecosystem have impacted overall item valuations.

GamerPay co-founder Morten Byskov said the move reflects a shared interest in structured item-trading systems that prioritize security and clear rules. Social First CEO Kim Soares noted that the platform could evolve into a broader direct-to-consumer payment layer, potentially providing game studios with alternative in-app purchase channels outside traditional storefronts.

For existing users, the immediate experience remains unchanged. The companies say future updates will focus on refining platform operations and expanding available markets, with additional features planned as development progresses.