TLDR
- The messaging giant Telegram saw active users leap to 950 million from the 900 million mark reached earlier this year.
- A significant factor in the rise of users is the explosive interest in blockchain gaming on Telegram.
- Titles like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat have drawn in vast numbers of enthusiasts.
- A lot of these games run on the blockchain known as The Open Network (TON), which was originally developed by Telegram.
- With the advent of fresh crypto games on Telegram, several are considering launching dedicated tokens.
The renowned communication app Telegram has dramatically boosted its user count to hit 950 million active monthly users.
This growth, acknowledged by Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, highlights the major role crypto games have played since the service hit 900 million users in the spring. The increase can largely be credited to the rising allure of these games.
Simultaneously with Telegram’s user upsurge, there's been a notable increase in blockchain-based games leveraging the app.
Frequently, these games implement The Open Network (TON), a blockchain system that Telegram which, though started by Telegram, was transitioned to external developers as an open-source platform.
Notcoin emerged as a trailblazer in this space, a game founded on the premise of collecting virtual coins with a potential conversion to real cryptocurrency in the future. The game's promise attracted millions hoping to transform their gameplay into tangible crypto rewards.
In May 2024, Notcoin successfully delivered on its promise Notcoin launched its NOT token with support from major crypto exchanges such as Binance and OKX via the TON blockchain.
Following Notcoin’s stride, another title, Hamster Kombat quickly made waves. With its adorable hamster avatars and myriad ways to earn, Hamster Kombat captivated audiences globally.
By June, it had engaged 100 million users, and recent reports indicate it now has over 250 million users worldwide.
The game’s dominance even caught the Iranian government’s eye, citing potential distractions during their approaching presidential elections.
Inspired by successes like these, a new wave of crypto games launched on Telegram. Titles like Yescoin, TapSwap, Catizen, PixelTap, W-Coin, and Musk Empire aim to emulate their forebears' triumphs.
Certain games are planning to introduce their own tokens, leveraging TON or alternate networks such as Ethereum.
Interestingly, despite Telegram distancing itself from TON back in 2020 due to regulatory challenges, it has discovered ways to reincorporate the network. For instance, Telegram now deploys TON to distribute ad earnings to channel administrators.
The burgeoning crypto gaming scene on Telegram has piqued investor interest. Recently, The Open Platform (TOP), a key participant in the TON environment, invested in Pluto Studio, makers of the game Catizen. With 25 million users already in its fold, Catizen highlights the unrelenting popularity of Telegram-hosted crypto games.
As Telegram edges closer to the monumental figure of 1 billion users, it’s evident that its embrace of crypto gaming has been pivotal to its growth. The blend of easy gameplay, prospects of crypto rewards, and Telegram's broad user network offers the perfect backdrop for these games’ proliferation.
