The story of Tap-to-Earn games in the crypto world began with the convergence of gaming, social media, and blockchain technology. As platforms like Telegram grew in popularity, reaching over a billion users, innovative developers saw an opportunity to merge social interaction with cryptocurrency earning mechanisms.

The idea was simple yet captivating: integrate games directly into Telegram, allowing users to earn cryptocurrency through basic interactions like tapping on their screen. This model leveraged Telegram’s vast user base and its seamless app integration to introduce a vast audience to cryptocurrencies in a fun and engaging way.

The TON blockchain, originally developed by Telegram, played a pivotal role by providing a secure and efficient infrastructure for these games. Its ability to handle high transaction volumes with minimal fees and latency made it an ideal choice. This ensured that even microtransactions within these games could be processed quickly and securely, enhancing the user experience and making the games more engaging.

As these games evolved, they started to incorporate more complex features like missions, boosters, and referral programs, further enhancing their appeal and making them a significant part of the digital asset ecosystem. This introduced users to the concept of digital currencies and helped foster a broader understanding and adoption of blockchain technology.

Engaging With Tap-to-Earn Applications

The essence of these games lies in their minimalistic approach; players repeatedly tap to accumulate in-game currency, which can then be converted into real-world cryptocurrencies. Beyond mere tapping, these applications often enrich the experience with daily tasks, social competitions, and referral programs, incentivizing users to engage regularly and invite others. The ease of participation—requiring little more than a device with internet connectivity—democratizes access to crypto earnings, making it appealing to a broad audience across the globe. 

Top apps

Notcoin

Notcoin emerged as a standout project within the tap-to-earn genre, capitalizing on the growing interest in blockchain and the ease of integration with Telegram’s vast user network. As one of the early adopters of the Telegram-based tap-to-earn model, Notcoin allowed users to accrue cryptocurrency through simple actions such as tapping on a digital coin within a Telegram bot. This mechanism, straightforward and engaging, was designed to be accessible to anyone with a Telegram account, lowering the barrier to entry into the world of cryptocurrencies.

The essence of Notcoin lies in its blend of gaming and crypto earnings, offering players the chance to engage in a digital treasure hunt that rewards consistent participation with digital tokens. These tokens could then be traded on various cryptocurrency exchanges, linking in-game achievements with real-world economic value.

Hamster Combat

Hamster Kombat is a unique addition to the world of cryptocurrency gaming, designed as a clicker game that operates within the Telegram app and utilizes the TON blockchain for its operations. Launched on March 26, 2024, by founders Eduard Gurinovich, Alexander Zelenshchikov, and Alexander Pasechnik, the game quickly became a sensation due to its innovative integration with Telegram and the use of cryptocurrency in a gaming environment. This game follows the mechanics of earlier clickers like Notcoin but introduces a more engaging narrative where players act as CEOs of a crypto exchange, strategically tapping their way to earn and upgrade in-game assets.

Hamster Kombat captivated a vast audience by merging simple gameplay with complex crypto-market activities and saw its in-game currency, HMSTR, get listed on the Bybit exchange on July 9, 2024. This listing allowed players to trade their earned currency and provided a tangible value to their gaming achievements. The game’s popularity was further enhanced by its social aspects, offering rewards for player referrals and featuring a progress system where upgrading the crypto exchange improved both the gaming experience and the virtual hamster’s appearance. As of late July 2024, Hamster Kombat reported a staggering user base of over 155.5 million, underscoring its massive appeal and the effectiveness of integrating gaming with blockchain technology.

BLUM

Blum is a groundbreaking application within the Telegram, developed by former top executives from Binance. Officially launched at the end of April 2024, Blum rapidly gained traction, attracting over 11 million community members. The application offers a gamified approach to earning cryptocurrency directly through Telegram, appealing to users with its innovative and user-friendly interface. Blum’s design allows participants to engage in activities such as the “Drop game,” where players catch items to earn points, and various tasks that reward users with Blum points, enhancing daily interaction and engagement within the app.

The significance of Blum lies in its unique market approach and technological innovation. It’s spearheaded by seasoned industry professionals Gleb Kostarev and Vladimir Smerkis, positioning itself as a hybrid exchange that plans to incorporate both centralized and decentralized elements. This setup is intended to facilitate a broader, more integrated trading environment that could potentially include a native token, BP, promising future listings that excite the community. As Blum continues to develop, it aims to introduce more features that improve user experience and expand its technological capabilities, potentially including strategic partnerships with entities like Binance Labs and further innovations in the decentralized finance space.

Catizen

Catizen has swiftly clawed its way into the hearts of cat lovers and gamers alike, emerging as a beloved tap-to-earn game within the Telegram platform. Launched in January 2024, Catizen introduces players to a virtual cat house where they are tasked with managing and expanding their furry domain. Players earn by taking care of their virtual cats, completing daily tasks, and engaging in a unique crypto-economy designed around the game’s dynamics. With over 15 million players and a robust daily active user base, Catizen offers a playful engagement with digital pets and integrates economic strategies that enhance player interaction and investment in the game’s community.

The success of Catizen can be attributed to its charming theme and the increasing interest in cryptocurrency-based games. Like its contemporaries such as Notcoin and Hamster Kombat, Catizen taps into the expanding Web3 gaming trend, offering a gamified approach to earning cryptocurrency. The game mechanics are simple yet rewarding: players can earn in-game currency by managing their cats and their needs, which can then be transformed into real-world cryptocurrency through the game’s marketplace.

Memefi

MemeFi has emerged as a groundbreaking force in the cryptogame sector on Telegram, expertly blending the universal appeal of meme culture with the cutting-edge capabilities of blockchain technology. In MemeFi, players dive into a world where memes are for entertainment and are central to gameplay mechanics. Players join meme clans, embark on quests to defeat meme-themed bosses, and earn rewards that go beyond digital trophies—these rewards have real-world cryptocurrency value. This game stands out by engaging players with humor and challenges, and by integrating strategic partnerships with significant blockchain entities like Linea, enhancing both the game’s functionality and its economic viability.