The number of Telegram users worldwide is surging as interest in games on the platform explodes. Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder and CEO, announced Monday that the messaging platform has reached 950 million monthly active users. This is up from 900 million in the spring, putting Telegram on track for 1 billion users soon.
This milestone was reached swiftly thanks to the immense interest in crypto games proliferating on Telegram, alongside the rise of The Open Network (TON). Telegram originally founded TON but abandoned the project in 2020 due to regulatory troubles. However, a community of external developers brought the chain to life.
The recent gaming rush was kicked off by Notcoin, a simple tap-to-earn game that gave players enormous amounts of in-game coins, promising an on-chain reward on the horizon. Millions of players joined, collecting virtual currency in the hopes of converting it to an actual crypto token. This opportunity came in May, when Notcoin players could convert their earnings into NOT tokens on TON. Supported by major exchanges like Binance and OKX, the NOT token airdrop immediately became the biggest gaming token launch of the year. TON now boasts a $17 billion market cap, making it the 10th biggest cryptocurrency by that measure.
While Notcoin opened the door, Hamster Kombat blazed the trail. With a similar tap-to-earn mechanic, coupled with cute hamsters and a variety of ways to earn more and faster, the game became a global phenomenon. It hit 100 million users in June, even drawing the attention of the Iranian government, which feared its popularity among its citizens would distract them from the presidential election. Earlier this month, Durov reported that Hamster Kombat had drawn 239 million users, describing it as “the fastest-growing digital service in the world.” Since then, Hamster Kombat claims to have topped the 250 million player mark.
Many more games have followed, including Yescoin, TapSwap, Catizen, PixelTap, W-Coin, and Musk Empire. Some of these games have even begun collaborating with each other, with both PixelTap and Musk Empire offering benefits for Notcoin holders. Like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat has announced that it will launch its own token on TON, and PixelTap’s token is already live on Ethereum ahead of planned expansion to TON.
Telegram handed TON off to the community in 2020 as the company faced scrutiny from government regulators, but the popular messaging app has since reintegrated the network in various ways—including to share ad revenue with Telegram channel owners. This integration has further solidified Telegram’s role in the crypto gaming surge, boosting its user numbers and setting the stage for more growth.
The explosive growth of Telegram’s user base is a testament to the platform’s adaptability and the appeal of its innovative offerings. The combination of engaging crypto games and the robust TON network has created a perfect storm, drawing millions of new users to the platform. As Telegram continues to evolve and expand its services, it remains a key player in the rapidly growing world of crypto gaming and blockchain technology.
With a billion users in sight, Telegram’s journey is a remarkable example of how a messaging platform can transform into a multifaceted digital ecosystem, offering entertainment, financial opportunities, and community engagement. The success of games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat highlights the potential of blockchain technology to create new, interactive experiences that captivate users around the world. As the platform continues to innovate and expand, its influence on the crypto and gaming industries is set to grow even further.
