The Tap To Earn Phenomenon
Tap-to-Earn applications on Telegram have experienced explosive growth in 2024. Games like Hamster Kombat, Catizen, and YesCoin boast millions of active and engaged players. But what exactly is Tap-2-Earn, and how do you get involved?
Hi, I’m Ross Mason (aka Ssorn), co-founder alongside Robert Mehew (Lynqoid) of the groundbreaking tap-to-airdrop game Whispervale on Telegram and TON (The Open Network). We will guide you through the wild world of Telegram clicker games that earn money and crypto.
What are Tap To Earn Games?
Tap-to-earn games, sometimes called “clicker” games, are a type of hyper-casual game usually played on a mobile device. They involve tapping on a screen multiple times for a reward in their most basic form. This distinguishes them from “Play-to-Earn” (P2E) games, which usually have more complex mechanics.
The reward from Tap2Earn games is usually in Crypto tokens. The reward may be directly tapped within the game, or, more commonly, your in-game currency is exchanged for a cryptocurrency at a future point during your engagement with the game.
These games’ standout features include daily login rewards, upgrades, passive and active token accumulation, mining, referrals, and social bonuses to promote engagement and build a community.
Tap to Earn games blend simple, addictive gameplay with financial incentives and offer a low barrier to entry into the Worlds of GameFi, Web3, and Crypto.
Most Tap To Earn games are found on Telegram, the messaging application founded by brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov in 2013. Telegram is one of the most downloaded applications worldwide, with almost one billion monthly active users.
For tap-to-earn players, Telegram’s benefit is its in-built wallet and native support for The Open Network (TON), a Layer 1 Blockchain, and the native crypto token, $TON. This means earnings from applications on Telegram can quickly and easily be transferred to players inside the Telegram app in a highly secure platform.
Tap To Airdrop games?
A sub-genre of Tap To Earn is Tap-To-Airdrop (T2A). These games again employ simple tapping as their primary mechanic; however, players’ earned in-game tokens are usually not the reward. The game developers announce they will release and list a token via a Token Generation Event (TGE). Players can exchange their activity in the game (usually a mixture of tasks, tapping, referral performance, etc.) with an allocation of the game’s Airdropped token.
Popular Tap To Earn Games on Telegram
1. Hamster Kombat
Like most people, my first introduction to the tap-to-earn phenomenon was Hamster Kombat.
My expectation was some sort of fluffy fighting game with a Slavic edge to it – and I was glad to be completely wrong. But the reality is equally silly.
In Hamster Kombat, your avatar is a cute, fearful looking hamster that slowly progresses into a tough suit-wearing CEO of a crypto exchange as you tap and upgrade your “profit per hour” score.
Players are incentivized by the promise of a token airdrop for all their efforts, which effectively exchanges their in-game activities for a real-world token ($HMSTR) that can be bought and sold on crypto exchanges.
Hamster Kombat blurs the lines between an app for entertainment and education; as you progress through the game, you learn about concepts from web3 and crypto, which have real-world applications.
Hamster Kombat (HK) is a well-constructed mini-game that is super simple to play and highly accessible. Hamster Kombat’s secretive and anonymous development team have also included puzzles that require users to search social media (such as Hamster Kombat YouTube News Videos) to solve them.
Due to the success of Hamster Kombat (HK), a large number of similar games used the simplistic mechanics as inspiration, which is a reason many tap-to-earn games look and feel similar to HK, and have similar features. Some have just re-skinned the HK app and added another small cuddly creature – e.g. a Capybara, building a new nation for Capybara kin no less.
2. Whispervale
Whispervale is the #1 fantasy-themed tap-to-airdrop game on Telegram. It adds layers of depth and engagement beyond other tap-to-earn games. Whispervale appeals to players who enjoy other fantasy worlds such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Game of Thrones, Dungeons and Dragons, World of Warcraft and so on as the Whispervale developers are lifelong fans of this genre!
Central to the experience of Whispervale is the worldbuilding and story. Whispervale on Telegram has been developed by a professional team of founders, and the world itself, lovingly crafted by Lynqoid (founder of CoolCats NFT) for nearly a decade.
The action takes place in the World of Whispervale, a magical yet dangerous fantasy world where heroes are constantly threatened by an ancient dragon—Mianth—and her forces of undead, whose dominion threatens the more peaceful peoples of the world.
Whispervale’s mechanics include dueling, leaderboards, and a unique battle pass system that gives all players bonuses and free rewards, as well as the option to purchase an NFT avatar that can be used not just in Whispervale but, importantly, in future games and expansions!
Whispercoin ($WHISP) is Whispervale’s pending airdropped token. When released, players will be allocated a percentage of the token to swap, trade, or hold based on their in-game activity and actions.
3. Catizen
Catizen is another popular tap to earn game boasting millions of users.
Catizen’s Motto is “Play For The Airdrop, Heal The World”, a reference to donations from the developers to Cat charities.
The main mechanic in catizen is called “merging”. In this concept, you start with a screen full of lvl 1 cats, and you merge (slide your fingers on the screen) two cats together to create a lvl 2 cat and repeat the process. Again, very accessible mechanics that encourage users who may only have a spare 2 mins to engage with the game.
Catizens airdrop $CATI is eagerly awaited from its engaged community, and should be debuting in 2024.
How to Get Started with Tap To Earn on Telegram
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Download Telegram: If you don’t already have Telegram, download and set up an account.
- Set Up a Crypto Wallet: You’ll need a compatible wallet. I prefer Tonkeeper for the TON blockchain. You do not have to enter any financial details at this stage, and usually minimal to no KYC to open a Wallet.
Telegram also has @wallet, I also use this, it is an excellent, secure in app-wallet. If you use @wallet – you will need to setup your “TONspace”, which is available in settings. Your TONspace will give you a unique wallet address on the Ton Blockchain. 
Join a Tap to Earn Game: Search for a Tap to Earn game in Telegram’s mini-app section or follow links from trusted sources. Once in the game, follow prompts to link your wallet.- Sign Up: Most Tap to Earn games require minimal registration—often, it’s as simple as linking your wallet.
- Claim Rewards: Play the game, and as you progress, you’ll earn crypto rewards. Some games will automatically send these to your connected wallet. Some games such as Tap 2 Airdrop, will have a future date on which your crypto rewards can be claimed to your wallet.
- Track Your Earnings: Keep track of your crypto earnings through the game interface and your wallet’s transaction history.
Key Tip: Always ensure that your wallet is securely integrated with the game, and back up your wallet’s private keys!
Strategies to Maximize Your Profits
- Daily Consistency:
The key to maximizing earnings in Tap to Earn games is consistency. Set aside time to play daily, as many games reward users for regular participation with daily bonuses or multipliers.
There is a win-win scenario here. The game developers want to maximise your time in their games (as does Facebook, google, YouTube etc). If you are engaging with a mini-app and completing social tasks and perhaps micro-transactions to boost your efficiency in game, this benefits the developers. On the flip side, if you engage with the game on a regular and routine basis, you will maximise your opportunity to earn in-game. - Referral Systems:
Many Tap to Earn games offer referral bonuses. By inviting friends and others to join through your referral link, you can earn a percentage of their profits. You could build a network of friends who play and share information and invites for tap-to-earn games, to increase your passive income.
- Time Management:
Some games are more profitable when played at certain times. Identify peak activity periods where earnings or rewards are higher, and aim to play during those times. Also, monitor how long you play; setting limits ensures you maximize your rewards without wasting time. - Leverage Promotions:
Keep an eye out for promo codes or special events, such as limited-time multipliers or higher reward periods. Using promo codes can significantly boost your pay-out.
- Upgrade Strategies:
Some Tap to Earn games offer in-game purchases or boosters that help you earn more quickly. Carefully assess which upgrades offer the best return on investment (ROI) and use them strategically to enhance your profits. For example, in Whispervale, it is often said Dragon upgrades offer best value for money.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Token Volatility:
Crypto prices can fluctuate, which means your earnings may be worth more or less depending on the market. The could even go to zero! That is a risk you take with these games. Keep an eye on market trends and consider converting your earnings into stablecoins (like USDT) if you want to avoid volatility.
- Unsustainable Games:
Not all Tap to Earn games have sound tokenomics. Before committing your time, research the game’s economics and check if it has a sustainable rewards model. Look for games with a balanced system of token circulation and rewards. - Overspending:
Be cautious about spending real money on in-game purchases without analyzing the ROI. Avoid sinking too much into the game until you understand how much you can potentially earn back.
The Future of Tap To Earn
The future of Tap to Earn on Telegram is bright, with the integration of more complex blockchain technologies like DeFi and NFTs. As these games evolve, we may see deeper in-game economies, where players can trade NFTs or participate in staking mechanisms to increase earnings.
Additionally, Tap to Earn games are becoming gateways for more people to join the broader crypto ecosystem. As the gaming and crypto industries continue to converge, these games could introduce millions of players to digital assets and decentralized finance.
Final Thoughts
Tap to Earn games offer an exciting way to engage with blockchain while earning cryptocurrency. The key to success is balancing your time, using smart strategies to maximize profits, and staying informed about the games’ tokenomics.
However, approach these games mindfully—remember that while they can be profitable, they also come with risks, particularly related to token volatility and unsustainable models. Join the Tap to Earn revolution, but always play responsibly.
We’d love to hear your personal success stories or any questions you have—feel free to share them on our socials!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much can I earn with Tap to Earn games?
Your earnings depend on the game, how often you play, and any bonuses or referrals you activate. Some players earn small amounts daily, while others who maximize promotions and referrals can earn significantly more. - Is it safe to use Telegram for earning crypto?
Yes, provided you follow basic security protocols, such as using a reputable wallet and enabling two-factor authentication. Always be cautious of scams or unofficial game links. - What’s the best way to cash out my earnings?
To cash out, transfer your crypto from your Telegram wallet to an exchange that supports the currency you’ve earned (e.g., TON or USDt). From there, you can sell the crypto for fiat currency or trade it for other digital assets.