Why Telegram Games Are Becoming Crypto’s New Frontier, Says Notcoin Founder

Low-Cost Success with Telegram Games

Notcoin founder Sasha Plotinov highlights a growing trend in the blockchain gaming world: companies are increasingly building games on Telegram due to its low customer acquisition costs. According to Plotinov, successful Telegram games can onboard new users at a cost of less than $1 per person, a fraction of the typical cost in crypto ecosystems.

Telegram Mini-Games Surge in Popularity

Blockchain gaming has seen a resurgence, with Telegram mini-games like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and Yescoin leading the charge. These tap-to-earn titles have attracted millions of users to Web3 platforms, reminiscent of the early popularity of Axie Infinity. The simplicity of these games, combined with Telegram’s massive user base of nearly 1 billion, has prompted companies large and small to tap into this new gaming space.

Leveling the Playing Field for Developers

Plotinov explains that developing a game on Telegram offers a more level playing field for both established firms and small developers. While acquiring users in traditional crypto ecosystems can cost between $10 to $15 per user, Telegram games offer a much more affordable alternative, allowing for rapid growth. This dynamic has enabled even smaller developers, or “poor guys from nowhere,” as Plotinov puts it, to achieve significant success in just a few months.

The Role of the TON Blockchain

Most of these Telegram-based games utilize The Open Network (TON) blockchain, which, although separate from Telegram, maintains a close relationship with the messaging platform. Since the launch of Telegram’s native crypto wallet, TON Space, in September 2023, the blockchain ecosystem has experienced exponential growth. Over 23 million wallets have been activated in the past year, with monthly active addresses reaching 11 million at their peak, putting TON on par with Ethereum.

Binance Enters the Telegram Gaming Arena

Even major players like Binance are getting in on the action. Plotinov noted that Binance’s entry into the Telegram gaming world reflects the competitive nature of this space, where companies are drawn to the low cost of user acquisition. Binance’s recently launched mini-game, Moonbix, is one of several examples of established firms trying to replicate the success seen by smaller developers.

Challenges of the Tap-to-Earn Model

While Telegram games have thrived on token rewards and incentives, Plotinov warns that the tap-to-earn model—where players are primarily motivated by financial rewards rather than enjoyment—may not be sustainable. In contrast to Notcoin’s successful NOT token, which has maintained a strong market cap exceeding $2 billion, other tokens like Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR have struggled post-launch. To diversify, Notcoin has introduced new game styles like “Lost Dogs” and “Not Pixel,” which have collectively attracted millions of new users in a short period.

Telegram as an Innovation Hub

Telegram games offer more than just a large user base—they provide developers with a valuable opportunity to quickly gather feedback and iterate on their projects. Anton Umnov, co-founder of the Web3 gaming analytics company Helika, describes Telegram as an “innovation lab” for developers. Helika, with backing from Notcoin, launched a $50 million Telegram gaming accelerator in 2023, receiving over 250 applicants. This accelerator aims to help developers leverage Telegram’s unique ecosystem to refine and scale their games quickly.