• TON blockchain gaming has grown significantly, with about 20% of Telegram users now playing games monthly.
• Hamster Kombat claims to have over 300 million users and is preparing for a large token airdrop.
• Experts predict a potential drop-off in users for many clicker games after their token generation events.
• Hamster Kombat has launched 3 new mini-games and is building a platform combining Web2 and Web3 games.
• Binance has hinted at listing Hamster Kombat’s $HMSTR token, indicating growing interest from major exchanges.

The Open Network (TON) blockchain has seen a significant surge in gaming activity, with Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat leading the charge.

According to Inal Kardan, TON Foundation’s Gaming Lead, approximately 20% of Telegram’s 950 million monthly active users are now playing at least one game per month, a twenty-fold increase from December 2024.

Hamster Kombat, a tap-to-earn game where players manage a virtual cryptocurrency exchange, has emerged as a frontrunner in this new wave of blockchain gaming.

The game claims to have amassed over 300 million users, with 50 million daily active players. This explosive growth has caught the attention of major cryptocurrency exchanges, with Binance hinting at a possible listing of Hamster Kombat’s $HMSTR token.

The game’s popularity stems from its simple yet addictive gameplay, where users tap to earn in-game currency and invest in various aspects of their virtual exchange.

Players can earn passive income by purchasing different parts of the exchange, each providing a certain number of tokens per hour. This mechanic has kept millions of players engaged, with many anticipating a potentially lucrative token airdrop.

Hamster Kombat recently expanded its offerings by launching three new mini-games within its ecosystem. This move aligns with the team’s stated goal of building a gaming platform that combines Web2 and Web3 experiences to support and extend the utility of their $HMSTR token.

However, the sustainability of such clicker games remains a topic of debate among industry experts.

Andrew Saunders, Chief Growth Officer at SKALE Labs, predicts a “fairly sizable user drop-off post-Token Generation Event for most of these games.” Saunders argues that many users are primarily driven by “airdrop speculation” and may lose interest once the reality of token distribution sets in.

Despite these concerns, Hamster Kombat appears to be taking steps to build a more sustainable ecosystem. The game’s whitepaper outlines plans for future developments, and the team has hinted at a “season two” even before fully revealing the details of their first season.

Dear CEOs ,

As we mentioned in our updated Whitepaper, we are building a gaming platform combining web2 and web3 games that will support and extend the utility of the $HMSTR token!

Starting today, we will be adding new games so that you have a variety of choices and can…

— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) August 6, 2024

The broader implications of this gaming boom on the TON blockchain are significant. Kardan envisions a future where more complex “mid-core” games will emerge on the platform. He cites Gatto, a Tamagotchi-like game on Telegram, as an example of the type of games that could gain traction in the coming months.

The integration of blockchain technology with casual mobile gaming has created new opportunities for both players and developers. Joseph Cooper, CEO of Earn Alliance, suggests that playing Web3 games could potentially become a more lucrative side hustle than traditional gig economy jobs like driving for Uber.

As the ecosystem matures, the focus is likely to shift from simple clicker games to more engaging and sustainable gaming experiences.

The success of platforms like Hamster Kombat in maintaining user engagement post-token generation will be crucial in determining the long-term viability of this new gaming paradigm.

The post Telegram Gaming Boom: Hamster Kombat Leads the Charge in TON Blockchain Gaming appeared first on Blockonomi.

• W-Coin is a new Telegram-based tap-to-earn game with over 16 million users
• Players can earn W-Coin by tapping, completing tasks, and inviting friends
• The game features upgrades, boosters, and unique staking options for rewards
• W-Coin plans to launch a token, with the community voting on which blockchain to use
• The token launch and airdrop have been delayed due to technical challenges

W-Coin, a new Telegram-based tap-to-earn game, has quickly gained popularity, amassing over 16 million users in just three months since its launch. The game builds on the familiar tap-to-earn model popularized by predecessors like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat, while introducing some unique features to set itself apart in the increasingly crowded Telegram gaming ecosystem.

In W-Coin, players earn in-game currency by tapping a coin on their screen. The game includes an energy bar that depletes with each tap, limiting how long players can continuously earn. However, W-Coin offers various ways for players to boost their earnings and engage with the game.

One of the key features that distinguishes W-Coin is its staking mechanism. Players can lock up their earned W-Coins for periods of 3, 7, or 14 days, earning yields of 2%, 7%, or 20% respectively. This provides an additional way for active players to increase their coin holdings within the game.

W-Coin also incorporates a range of upgrades and boosters to enhance gameplay. Players can purchase permanent upgrades such as Tap (increasing coins earned per tap), Maximizer (increasing total energy limit), Charger (faster energy replenishment), and W-orker (an auto-tap bot for passive earnings). Daily boosters include Full-Battery, which recharges the energy bar, and Lucky Dice, which provides a temporary multiplier on earnings.

The game encourages community growth through a referral system. Players earn 2,500 W-Coins for each friend they invite, with Telegram Premium subscribers earning 30,000 W-Coins per referral. Players receive 1% of their referred users’ rewards and a bonus of 100,000 coins for reaching 10 referrals.

W-Coin’s developers have announced plans to launch an official token, tentatively named WCOIN. In an unusual move, the team is allowing the community to vote on which blockchain the token will launch on, with options including Ethereum, Solana, and The Open Network (TON). As of early August 2024, TON was leading in the community vote, which aligns with the blockchain choices of other popular Telegram games.

The token launch and accompanying airdrop, originally expected in July 2024, have been delayed due to technical challenges related to the massive scale of the planned distribution. The developers have stated that approximately 60% of the token supply will be distributed to players through the airdrop, with the remaining 40% allocated for development, growth, market liquidity, and other initiatives.

While the exact launch date remains uncertain, the W-Coin team has hinted at listing the token on “tier-1 exchanges” and is working on creating new revenue streams to avoid selling the upcoming token. They also plan to launch ecosystem grant programs for third-party developers, denominated in fiat currency to prevent additional selling pressure on the WCOIN token.

As players await further details on the token launch and airdrop, the W-Coin team continues to engage the community with regular updates and new features. They have announced plans for a “new concept” for the W-Coin mini app, suggesting potential changes to the current gameplay model.

The post W-Coin Emerges as Latest Telegram Tap-to-Earn Game, Plans Token Launch appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Binance has hinted at possibly listing Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) token for trading
• Hamster Kombat is a popular Telegram-based game with over 300 million users
• The HMSTR token launch was delayed from July 2024 due to technical issues
• 60% of HMSTR tokens will be distributed to players via airdrop
• Hamster Kombat is already listed on exchanges like KuCoin, Bybit, and OKX

Hamster Kombat, a popular Telegram-based game, may soon see its token HMSTR listed on Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

This development has sparked interest in the crypto community, as Binance’s potential listing could significantly increase exposure for the game’s token.

Hamster Kombat has quickly become one of the most popular blockchain-based games since its launch in March 2024. The game boasts over 300 million active users, with reports suggesting it gains 4-5 million new users daily.

In the game, players take on the role of a hamster CEO running a cryptocurrency exchange, earning in-game currency by tapping their avatar and purchasing upgrades.

The game’s rapid growth has been notable, setting several records in the process. Hamster Kombat’s YouTube channel gained over 10 million subscribers in one week, making it the first channel to achieve this feat. The game also reached 100 million users in just two months, setting a record for the fastest product to hit this milestone.

Originally, the HMSTR token was scheduled to launch in July 2024. However, the development team announced a delay due to technical challenges related to the massive scale of the planned airdrop. The airdrop is expected to involve over 250 million users, potentially making it one of the largest in crypto history.

Despite the delay, several major cryptocurrency exchanges have already listed HMSTR for pre-market trading. These include KuCoin, Bybit, OKX, Gate.io, and Bitget. The addition of Binance to this list would significantly expand the token’s reach, given the exchange’s global user base of approximately 200 million.

According to the recently released whitepaper, Hamster Kombat plans to distribute about 60% of its token supply to gamers through the airdrop. The remaining 40% will be allocated for various purposes, including development, growth, market liquidity, and rewards for player squads.

The Hamster Kombat team emphasizes that no venture capital or early investments back the token. This means its value will be driven purely by organic demand and community interest. The team is also working on creating new revenue streams to avoid selling the upcoming token and plans to launch ecosystem grant programs for third-party developers.

Beyond the token launch, Hamster Kombat has plans to expand into a broader gaming ecosystem. The organization aims to support game studios of various sizes by offering marketing opportunities, token usage, and collaboration options.

While the exact launch date for the HMSTR token remains uncertain, the crypto community continues to watch the project with interest. The game keeps players engaged by introducing new features regularly, including daily tasks such as the Daily Cipher and Daily Combo, which offer in-game rewards.

It’s worth noting that while Binance has hinted at a potential listing, no official confirmation has been made. The exchange’s interest in Hamster Kombat aligns with its strategy of offering a wide range of tokens to its users and potentially onboarding a large number of new users from the game’s community.

The post Hamster Kombat News: Will Binance Be Listing the HMSTR Token? appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Hamster Kombat aims to attract 1 billion users and plans to airdrop 60% of its tokens to players.
• The game has reportedly gained 239 million users in 3 months according to Telegram’s CEO.
• Hamster Kombat is considering ecosystem grants for third-party developers.
• The game faces challenges with auto-clicking bots potentially inflating user numbers.
• Some Iranian officials have criticized the game as a distraction from national elections.

Hamster Kombat, a popular crypto game on Telegram, has announced plans for what it claims will be the largest token airdrop in crypto history. The game intends to distribute 60% of its total token supply to users, though no specific timeline has been provided.

This airdrop announcement comes after Hamster Kombat postponed its original plans in July. The remaining 40% of tokens will reportedly go toward ecosystem grants, partnerships, market liquidity, and other initiatives outlined in the project’s roadmap.

Hamster Kombat is a tap-to-earn game where players act as CEOs of cryptocurrency exchanges. Users complete daily tasks and mini-games to earn in-game currency and increase their passive income. The game is part of a wave of crypto-based games gaining popularity on Telegram’s The Open Network (TON).

According to Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, Hamster Kombat has seen rapid growth, reportedly attracting 239 million users in just three months. Durov stated the game reached 100 million monthly users in 73 days, with 4-5 million new users joining daily. However, these figures have not been independently verified.

Hamster News | July 31

Hey Hamsters! Ethereum’s 9th birthday, receiving Bitcoin with your donuts, and an important update from us — all of that and even more in today’s episode of Hamster News!

Watch every video closely to get clues that you can use later pic.twitter.com/4qKxPlRssK

— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) July 31, 2024

The game’s white paper claims over 300 million global players, though it’s unclear how many of these may be automated bots. Online tutorials exist for creating auto-clicking bots that can complete in-game tasks, potentially inflating user numbers.

Despite its popularity, Hamster Kombat has faced some controversy. In Iran, some government officials have criticized the game as a distraction from national elections. Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of Iran’s military, described the app as part of a “soft war” against Iran’s government.

Hamster Kombat aims to expand beyond its current game. The project plans to provide a platform for game studios of all sizes, offering marketing opportunities and token integration. It also intends to explore multiple token utilities through its Hamster Fam Games initiative.

The game’s creators claim Hamster Kombat is already profitable and does not need to sell team token allocations to cover expenses. They state that having no backing from venture capital firms eliminates extra selling pressure on the token.

To attract new users, Hamster Kombat plans to use both Web3 and traditional Web2 marketing channels. The company aims to allocate part of its marketing budget to conventional advertising methods that accept fiat currency payments.

Hamster Kombat reports strong player engagement, with 91% of users who play for seven days continuing to play for at least 30 days. The game claims an average of five daily sessions per player.

The project is considering launching ecosystem grant programs for third-party developers. These grants would be offered in fiat currency rather than tokens to avoid adding selling pressure to the market.

Several cryptocurrency exchanges have shown interest in Hamster Kombat’s upcoming token. OKX has listed it for pre-market futures trading, and Bybit has also listed it for pre-trading ahead of the proposed token issuance.

As of July 29, 2024, Hamster Kombat reported significant social media followings, including over 34 million YouTube subscribers, 53 million Telegram subscribers, and 12 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).

The date for Hamster Kombat’s token airdrop has not yet been announced. The project’s white paper states that the token’s value will be determined by demand, supply, and community interest.

The post 1 Billion Users! Hamster Kombat’s Ambitious Plans & HMSTR Token Airdrop appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Hamster Kombat, a Telegram-based game, claims to have over 300 million users
• The game plans to release a cryptocurrency token called HMSTR
• 60% of the total HMSTR token supply will be distributed to players via an airdrop
• The developers claim this will be the “largest airdrop in crypto history”
• The exact date of the airdrop is uncertain due to technical complexities

Hamster Kombat, a popular Telegram-based game, is preparing to launch its own cryptocurrency token.

The game, which has reportedly amassed over 300 million users since its March 2024 debut, plans to distribute 60% of its total token supply to players through what it calls the “largest airdrop in crypto history.”

The game’s developers recently released a whitepaper detailing plans for the HMSTR token.

According to this document, 60% of the total token supply will be dedicated to players, with the remaining 40% reserved for various purposes including market liquidity, ecosystem partnerships, grants, and squad rewards.

Hamster Kombat, a tap-to-earn game, has gained significant traction in a short period. The developers claim it reached 100 million users in just two months, potentially setting a record for the fastest product to hit this milestone. Now, with a reported 300 million users across 190 countries and 50 million daily active users, the game is poised to make a significant impact in the cryptocurrency space.

The exact date of the HMSTR token airdrop remains uncertain.

In a Telegram post, the Hamster Kombat team explained that due to the technical challenges involved, it has become “impossible to predict” when the airdrop will occur.

They stated, “The Hamster token airdrop is a technically complex undertaking, unprecedented in the blockchain world.” Despite this uncertainty, the team assures users they are “working tirelessly in collaboration with the TON ecosystem to ensure a smooth and seamless airdrop for all users.”

The developers emphasize that Hamster Kombat has no backing from venture capital or investment firms. They argue this lack of external investment means there will be no additional sell pressure on the token, allowing its value to be determined by organic demand and community interest.

Beyond the initial game and token launch, the Hamster Foundation has broader ambitions. They aim to create a wider gaming ecosystem, potentially becoming a publishing platform for various game studios. The foundation also plans to cater to multiple gaming platforms, including PC and console, in an effort to bring more players into the cryptocurrency space.

To support these goals and maintain the token’s value, the Hamster Foundation is working on creating multiple revenue streams. They state that this will allow them to generate income without selling the HMSTR token.

Any future ecosystem grant programs for third-party developers will be denominated in fiat currency rather than HMSTR tokens, to avoid putting selling pressure on the token.

While the Hamster Kombat team claims this will be the largest airdrop in crypto history, it’s worth noting that this would require surpassing significant previous airdrops. For example, Uniswap’s UNI token airdrop was worth over $6.43 billion, according to data from CoinGecko.

The game has already attracted attention from major cryptocurrency exchanges. OKX and Bybit have listed Hamster Kombat tokens for pre-market futures trading, indicating significant interest in the project.

As the crypto community eagerly awaits more details about the HMSTR token and its distribution, the Hamster Kombat team continues to develop their project. They recently announced that the first season of the game will be wrapping up soon, encouraging players to take advantage of any remaining cards or quests.

The post “Largest Airdrop in History” Hamster Kombat Token: 60% of HMSTR to be Airdropped to Players appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Catizen, a popular Telegram-based crypto game, has delayed its token launch and airdrop originally planned for July.
• The game has raised $16 million from in-game purchases and has attracted 26 million players.
• Catizen donates a portion of its profits to animal welfare organizations, but faced backlash over a donation to PETA.
• The game is built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain and has received investment from Binance Labs.
• Catizen’s success highlights the growing popularity of blockchain-based games on messaging platforms.

Catizen, the popular cat-themed crypto game on Telegram, has hit a snag in its plans to launch its CATI token this July. The delay comes as the game experiences rapid growth, having attracted 26 million players and raised $16 million from in-game purchases since its spring 2024 launch.

Pluto Studio, the developer behind Catizen, addressed the delay in a recent statement, saying,

“We are doing everything we can to achieve the best possible airdrop outcome for the community, while also considering the long-term development and sustainability of the CATI token.”

The studio cited challenges in securing exchanges, ensuring liquidity, and navigating compliance issues as reasons for the postponement.

The delay mirrors similar issues faced by other Telegram-based crypto games, such as Hamster Kombat, which also recently announced a delay in its token launch.

Dear Catizen Community,

We've received many heartfelt inquiries about the progress of our airdrop, as well as concerns regarding recent changes within Catizen. We are confident these changes will benefit Catizen and its players in the long run.

We welcome all feedback and we…

— Catizen (@CatizenAI) July 29, 2024

Despite the delay, Catizen’s popularity continues to soar. The game’s unique blend of cat-themed puzzles, blockchain technology, and charitable giving has struck a chord with players. Built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, Catizen offers a more complex gaming experience compared to simple “tap-to-earn” games, featuring resource management and various mini-games.

Catizen’s success has not gone unnoticed in the crypto world. Binance Labs, the venture capital arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, recently invested in Pluto Studio. This backing, along with partnerships with TON, Mantle, and NGC Ventures, has helped fuel Catizen’s rapid growth.

However, the game’s success hasn’t been without controversy. Catizen recently faced backlash over a $100,000 donation to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The donation was part of Catizen’s initiative to contribute a portion of its profits to charities focused on helping stray cats. Following community feedback, Pluto Studio announced it has “temporarily suspended” the collaboration with PETA and will seek player input on alternative organizations for future donations.

Looking ahead, Catizen has ambitious plans for the future. Its roadmap includes implementing more features for its token, such as revenue sharing and staking, as well as exploring augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The team aims to create an immersive experience with countless unique virtual cats and AI companions.

The game’s success also ties into broader developments in the Telegram ecosystem. With Telegram planning to launch a Mini Apps store and add web2 support by the end of the month, Catizen is well-positioned to benefit from increased visibility and user engagement on the platform.

The post Catizen Delays Token Launch as Player Base Grows to 26 Million appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Hamster Kombat, a popular Telegram-based game, has delayed its token launch and airdrop originally planned for July 2024.
• The game’s developers cite technical complexities due to the large scale of the project as the reason for the delay.
• Several cryptocurrency exchanges have begun offering pre-market trading for the future HMSTR token.
• Hamster Kombat has announced plans to revamp its Playground section, shifting focus from ad-heavy games to more relaxed gameplay.
• The game has amassed over 250 million players, making it potentially one of the largest airdrops in crypto history.

Hamster Kombat, the viral Telegram-based tap-to-earn game, has postponed its highly anticipated token launch and airdrop. Originally scheduled for July 2024, the token generation event (TGE) for the game’s HMSTR token on The Open Network (TON) blockchain is now facing delays due to technical challenges.

The game’s anonymous development team explained the situation in a recent statement:

“We are actively working to make it happen. Keep in mind that this is a very complex technical task for all the platforms involved since Hamster Kombat is one of the biggest projects in the industry and can become the biggest airdrop in history.”

With over 250 million reported players, Hamster Kombat has become a phenomenon in the crypto gaming world. The game’s simple premise – tapping on a cartoon hamster to earn in-game coins and investing these coins in a fictional crypto exchange – has attracted millions of daily active users. The promise of a token airdrop has been a significant driver of this growth.

Dear CEOs,

We've received a lot of comments about the new Playground section, and we want to address them.

First things first: Participation in various activities will impact the amount of tokens received in the upcoming airdrop, not the fact of distribution itself – all…

— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) July 29, 2024

Despite the delay, interest in the HMSTR token remains high. Several major cryptocurrency exchanges, including OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, Bitget, and Gate.io, have announced plans to offer pre-market trading for the token.

OKX, for instance, is set to launch pre-market futures trading for HMSTR on August 1, 2024.

However, these pre-market trading options come with significant risks. The Hamster Kombat team has yet to announce the conversion rate from in-game coins to on-chain tokens, making any price predictions highly speculative.

In response to community feedback, the Hamster Kombat team has also announced plans to revamp the game’s Playground section. The developers aim to shift focus from ad-heavy games to more relaxed gameplay, enhancing player enjoyment.

This move is intended to cater to a broader base of players and ensure that everyone can enjoy the game without feeling pressured to participate in specific activities.

The team has emphasized that while participation in various activities will impact the number of tokens received in the upcoming airdrop, it is not mandatory for token distribution. All players, except for bots, are guaranteed to receive tokens. The only requirement for receiving tokens is linking a TON wallet to the player’s profile.

“We want the airdrop to be carried out as smoothly as possible for every single one of you, and so that everyone can receive their tokens,” the developers stated. “Right now, we’re closely working with the TON blockchain team to develop the most efficient technical solution for our airdrop.”

The Hamster Kombat phenomenon follows in the footsteps of Notcoin, another Telegram-based game that successfully launched its token in May 2024. Notcoin’s NOT token quickly became the year’s most valuable gaming token launch by market capitalization, setting high expectations for Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token.

While the exact date of the token launch remains uncertain, the continued expansion of pre-market trading options suggests that interest in HMSTR remains strong

The post Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) Token Launch Delayed: Pre-Market Trading Expands appeared first on Blockonomi.

• OKX has launched pre-market futures for upcoming tokens
• Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token is the first addition to this new product
• The pre-market futures allow trading before official token launches
• Hamster Kombat has gained massive popularity but faces regulatory concerns
• OKX’s move follows Bybit’s earlier listing of Hamster Kombat for pre-market trading

Major exchange OKX has launched a new pre-market futures product, with the popular game Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token as its inaugural listing. This development, announced on July 29, 2024, marks a step in providing traders early access to emerging tokens.

OKX’s pre-market futures allow users to trade expiry futures on cryptocurrencies that haven’t yet been officially listed. These futures are USDT-margined and are typically delivered before the new crypto is available on the spot market. This innovative product aims to assist in the price discovery process for early-stage tokens while offering traders the opportunity to capitalize on potential price movements before official launches.

Lennix Lai, OKX Global Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the exchange’s unique approach:

“Our robust risk engine and extensive experience back our method of assisting in the price discovery process for early-stage tokens. By opening up new avenues to participate in crypto, we aim to make trading more accessible, efficient, and appealing.”

The choice of Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token as the first addition to this product is particularly noteworthy. Hamster Kombat, a Telegram mini-app game, has become a sensation in the crypto gaming world.

Created by anonymous founders, the game allows users to “tap and earn” virtual coins, attracting a staggering 142 million users in just 77 days. This rapid growth has set new records and driven increased interest in blockchain technology.

However, Hamster Kombat’s meteoric rise hasn’t been without controversy. Despite its popularity, the game has faced scrutiny from global regulators.

Russian authorities have warned that it might be a “pyramid scheme” built on passive income deception, while in Iran, the army chief labeled the game a “soft war” against the country.

These regulatory concerns add an element of risk and intrigue to the HMSTR token’s pre-market debut.

OKX has been careful to note that the addition of HMSTR to the pre-market futures doesn’t guarantee the token’s listing for spot trading. This caveat underscores the speculative nature of pre-market trading and the need for traders to exercise caution.

The listing of Hamster Kombat on OKX for pre-market futures trading isn’t an isolated event. Three weeks prior, Bybit, another popular crypto exchange, also listed Hamster Kombat tokens for pre-market trading. This trend of major exchanges offering pre-market opportunities for highly anticipated tokens suggests a growing demand for early access to potential high-growth cryptocurrencies.

OKX has provided detailed information on how the delivery price of listed tokens for pre-market futures trading will be calculated. For tokens that will be listed on the OKX spot market, the actual delivery price will be the average index price over the last hour before delivery, calculated every 200 milliseconds. An estimated delivery price, based on a rolling average, will also be provided.

Importantly, OKX has clarified that the prices in the pre-market futures are determined by market behavior and may not accurately reflect the actual listing price of the new crypto. While pre-market futures may reflect market expectations, the listing price may be influenced by other factors and does not have a direct correlation with pre-market futures prices.

This development comes at a time when Play-to-Earn (P2E) and Web3 projects like Hamster Kombat are gaining significant traction globally.

In countries like Nigeria, Hamster Kombat has joined the ranks of popular P2E games like Tapswap and Pixel verse, playing a role in onboarding the local crypto community to Web3 technologies.

The post OKX Launches Pre-Market Futures with Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR Token appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Telegram has reached 950 million monthly active users, up from 900 million in spring.
• The surge in users is largely attributed to the popularity of crypto games on the platform.
• Games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat have attracted millions of players.
• These games often use The Open Network (TON) blockchain, which Telegram originally created.
• Many new crypto games are emerging on Telegram, with some planning to launch their own tokens.

Telegram, the popular messaging app, has seen a significant increase in its user base, reaching 950 million monthly active users.

This growth, announced by Telegram’s founder and CEO Pavel Durov, represents a jump from 900 million users earlier this spring. The rapid expansion is largely due to the rising popularity of crypto games on the platform.

The surge in Telegram’s user numbers coincides with a boom in blockchain-based games that use the app as their primary platform.

These games often utilize The Open Network (TON), a blockchain system that Telegram initially developed but later handed over to external developers as an open-source project.

One of the first games to kick off this trend was Notcoin, a simple tap-to-earn game that allowed players to collect virtual coins with the promise of future cryptocurrency rewards. Notcoin attracted millions of users who hoped to convert their in-game earnings into real crypto tokens.

In May 2024, this promise was fulfilled when Notcoin launched its NOT token on the TON blockchain, supported by major cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and OKX.

Following Notcoin’s success, another game called Hamster Kombat quickly gained traction. With cute hamster characters and various ways to earn rewards, Hamster Kombat became a global phenomenon.

By June, it had amassed 100 million users, and recent reports suggest the game now boasts over 250 million players worldwide.

The game’s popularity even caught the attention of the Iranian government, which expressed concerns about it potentially distracting citizens from an upcoming presidential election.

The success of these games has sparked a wave of new crypto games on Telegram. Titles like Yescoin, TapSwap, Catizen, PixelTap, W-Coin, and Musk Empire have emerged, each hoping to replicate the success of their predecessors.

Some of these games are planning to launch their own tokens, either on the TON blockchain or other networks like Ethereum.

Interestingly, while Telegram had distanced itself from TON in 2020 due to regulatory concerns, the company has since found ways to reintegrate the network. For example, Telegram now uses TON to share ad revenue with channel owners on the platform.

The crypto gaming trend on Telegram has also attracted investment interest. The Open Platform (TOP), a prominent developer in the TON ecosystem, recently invested in Pluto Studio, the creator of the Catizen game. Catizen has already attracted 25 million players, showcasing the ongoing popularity of these Telegram-based crypto games.

As Telegram approaches the milestone of 1 billion users, it’s clear that the platform’s embrace of crypto gaming has played a significant role in its growth. The combination of easy-to-play games, the promise of cryptocurrency rewards, and Telegram’s large, existing user base has created a fertile ground for these games to flourish.

The post Telegram Reaches 950 Million Users as Crypto Games Gain Popularity appeared first on Blockonomi.

• Hamster Kombat is a popular play-to-earn game on Telegram with over 250 million players globally.
• Russian politician Anatoly Aksakov calls it a “scam” and wants it stopped in Russia.
• The game uses TON blockchain and plans to convert in-game coins to HMSTR tokens.
• Hamster Kombat’s founders aim to reach 1 billion users and promote financial literacy.
• The game has led to increased sales of muscle massage guns used for tapping screens.

Hamster Kombat, a play-to-earn game hosted on Telegram, has quickly become one of the most popular blockchain-based games since its launch in early 2024. With over 250 million players worldwide, the game has gained attention from both enthusiasts and critics.

In Hamster Kombat, players take on the role of a hamster CEO managing a virtual cryptocurrency exchange.

The game uses a simple tapping mechanic, where players earn virtual coins by tapping on their digital hamster, completing daily tasks, and participating in special events. These coins can be used to upgrade the virtual exchange and increase earning potential.

The game runs on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, which was developed by Telegram. Players’ in-game coins are expected to become convertible to HMSTR tokens, a new cryptocurrency set to launch in the third quarter of 2024. This integration of real-world value has contributed to the game’s popularity.

However, not everyone is happy about Hamster Kombat’s success. Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, has labeled the game a “scam” and called for its termination in Russia. Aksakov argues that the game manipulates people’s psychology, making them believe they can become wealthy with minimal effort.

“Such things must be stopped,” Aksakov stated in an interview with local media. “In my opinion, this is clearly a scam. Manipulation and use of the psychology of citizens. Especially those who do not really want to work, but dream that they can play with a minimum of effort and get rich.”

Despite this criticism, Hamster Kombat continues to grow in popularity. The game has had unexpected effects on consumer behavior, with Russian retailers reporting a nearly threefold increase in sales of muscle massage guns from May to June. Players use these devices to tap their mobile screens more efficiently.

The anonymous team behind Hamster Kombat has ambitious goals for the project. They revealed their aim to reach 1 billion users globally. The team describes Hamster Kombat as an “edutainment project” designed for mass adoption, with a focus on teaching users about blockchain and Web3 technologies.

“We are an edutainment project created with the goal of mass adoption. Our mission is to reach 1 billion people worldwide who will be a part of this whole project and will be learning about the blockchain and web3 worlds,”

the team stated. They also emphasized their interest in promoting financial literacy and universal basic income.

The founders plan to keep the game running for a long time, with a second airdrop planned for the next two years. They also stressed their efforts to maintain the integrity of the project by removing bot accounts, following the example of similar games like Notcoin.

Hamster Kombat’s popularity extends beyond Russia, with significant adoption in countries like Nigeria and Iran. However, its rapid growth and potential impact have raised concerns. In Iran, the game is viewed as a “soft war” instrument, reflecting broader geopolitical implications.

As Hamster Kombat continues to grow, it faces both opportunities and challenges. While its founders aim to educate users about blockchain technology and finance, critics worry about its potential for manipulation and addiction. The game’s future success may depend on how it balances these concerns with its ambitious goals for growth and education in the crypto space.

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