Catizen, a gaming bot that operates on The Open Network (TON) through Telegram, is set to contribute to the mass adoption of Web3 using the play-to-airdrop model. Web3 projects are looking to onboard more users from Web2, and Telegram serves as an ideal middle ground between the two digital spaces. With its large global user base of nearly 1 billion people, Telegram offers a glimpse into the blockchain ecosystem and supports the Web3 space.
Catizen is a Telegram-based gaming bot integrated into the TON blockchain that aims to introduce Web3 to a wider audience. It uses mini-games and practical mobile payments to engage users and leverage Telegram’s traffic to establish a presence in the Web3 space. The game follows a play-to-airdrop model, where playing games on Catizen leads to airdrops for players. The user experience has been fine-tuned to ensure an engaging and intuitive interaction.
The game world of Catizen is set in the digital Meowverse, a cat-themed environment. Each player has a digital cat that serves as their credentials to access the Launchpool in Catizen. Players can upgrade their cats by merging them and climb the leaderboard for potentially higher returns. They can also spend FishCoins, the game’s digital currency, to fish and earn additional rewards. FishCoins can be earned by inviting new players and completing in-game tasks. Once a cat reaches a certain level, it can be staked as a personal asset in the Launchpool for returns.
Since its public beta launch in March 2024, Catizen has gained a community of over 11 million players globally, with over 1.7 million daily active users and around 750,000 on-chain players. Catizen has a higher on-chain participation rate of 7% compared to Telegram’s crypto conversion rate of only 0.66%. This makes Catizen a significant Web3 traffic gateway with users acting as decentralized distribution channels.
Catizen’s rapid growth is evident in its rankings in The Open League season on the TON blockchain, where it has won rewards for both seasons in the app battle. Catizen’s base of high-quality on-chain users sets it apart from other Telegram-based bot projects and makes it challenging for them to match its performance.
Since its release, Catizen has seen around $10 million worth of in-game asset purchases distributed across various crypto tokens. In the future, Catizen plans to launch its own token and establish a game center. The project has also signed agreements for 18 mini-games with over 50 million downloads, including the popular online action game Hero Wars.
Educating Web2 users about Web3 is a crucial step in expanding the Web3 user base. Leveraging high-traffic ecosystems like Telegram can help reach the masses. Projects that combine various aspects of digital interaction, including gameplay, e-commerce, and social networking, demonstrate how Web3 empowers individuals by giving them control over their assets and interactions.
For those interested in exploring the TON x Telegram ecosystem, Catizen offers an engaging entry point. With its gameplay and substantial on-chain user activity, Catizen provides a unique experience within the Web3 playground.