yes, I see many players playing free or leaving because of the initial ivestment because they dont want to take risk in crypto (like buying spellbook).
I played without spellbook for a week and with spellbook for 2 days now, and there is big difference.
YGG gives scholarships to players who can eventually buy the spellbook from the crypto generated by themselves in the game. This adds more demand,assets,competition to game which in turn is linked to game's success.

oops...realized i wrote too much :P
@herbal-thought