Discord rolls out virtual currency Orbs to all users

Discord announced today that it is launching Orbs, its new form of virtual reward-and-currency system, globally for all users. Users earn Orbs by completing Quests, in-app tasks that usually involve engaging with advertising, and then redeem them in the Shop for various rewards. These can include decorations, enhanced streaming features and limited access to Nitro, Discord’s premium subscription service, for free.

According to the company, Orbs are a new part of the in-app advertising experience, which it first launched last year. Discord reports that the impetus for Orbs came from a 2024 survey that saw 84% of respondents express interest in a virtual currency on the platform. The company ran a recent beta test of Orbs on the platform that saw a large amount of users making their first shop purchases and millions of Orbs spent over a seven-week period.