Just recently everyone around is tapping the “hamster,” that is, playing the mini-app Hamster Kombat, which literally exploded on Telegram at the end of May 2024. What is this app, who is behind its creation, and why do users hope that they can convert their taps into real money? We figured out how the simplest entry point into crypto is organized.
Hamster Kombat: What Is It Even About?
Hamster Kombat is a clicker available to users via a mini-application in the Telegram messenger, which is launched via the @hamster_kombat_bot
of the same name. Players make decisions for a hamster—the CEO of a crypto exchange. Essentially, there is no plot; there are only three indicators: energy, profit per click, and automatic profit per hour. The game mechanics boil down to three main actions:
- Clicking on the hamster to instantly earn coins, the number of which is determined by the “Profit per Tap” parameter.
- Buying cards that refer to certain features of real crypto exchanges, increasing the “Profit per Hour” parameter.
- Performing mini-quests for a relatively large instant profit, such as collecting combo cards, guessing Morse code, daily check-ins, and tasks from developers.
“Profit per Hour” allows you to earn coins in offline mode, but only for 3 hours, so regular visits to the app are necessary.
The Rise of Hamster Kombat
Launched on March 25, Hamster Kombat gained massive popularity by the end of May 2024. From truckers to professional crypto investors, everyone began to tap it. A huge amount of content related to the app appeared on Russian-language social networks. By June 5, the number of players reached 100 million, and today it has grown to 120 million. The project’s YouTube channel has 20.8 million subscribers, and its Telegram channel has 33 million.
The Appeal: Can You Earn Real Money?
What brings people to the app? The opportunity to earn money by investing only a minimal amount of time. There is already a successful example: in May 2024, major crypto exchanges made the coin $NOT (on the blockchain TON) available for trading, which was initially “mined” (and in fact — tapped) in the clicker Notcoin. People mined and won 100 billion coins with the help of tasks, but the exchange rate was set at 1000:1.
Notcoin is still trading. On the day of listing, it dropped by 85%, then began to grow and finally stabilized (though it can still fluctuate). Whether it will become a stable cryptocurrency remains to be seen.
The Copycat Effect
Notcoin’s success has spawned a wave of imitators. Hamster Kombat is not the only popular clicker where users try to earn virtual and real coins. Other similar apps include Blum and OnChain, as well as Catizen, which operates more like a Tamagotchi and allows the purchase of in-game currency with real money.
People come to clickers thanks to aggressive marketing and referral links from friends who have already developed their “hamsters.” Without attracting new users, it’s hard to progress. Half of the cards necessary for faster earnings and daily combos will be unavailable.
GameFi Mechanics: A New Trend?
GameFi (Game Finance) mechanics are not new. The same hype was seen with the STEPN game, which gave crypto for steps recorded by a smartphone.
Is It Worth Joining Now?
It depends on the project and the airdrop timeline it promises. Those who join earliest typically get more. People unfamiliar with cryptocurrency start farming but may convert into more knowledgeable users. Super profits are unlikely due to the number of users, but some small earnings may be possible.
Safety Concerns
There is nothing inherently dangerous about Telegram’s mini-app mechanics: a special bot allows users to stay in the messenger while visiting third-party sites. However, it is theoretically possible to place a malicious link in the app. Hamster Kombat appears safe, but caution is always advised.
Who Benefits?
In any case, most of the money will go to the creators of Hamster Kombat. They created a clear and straightforward system of crypto exchange management for any “hamster” (the user). Such games help in the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies, attracting even those who previously had little interest in blockchain and decentralization.
How to Earn on Hamster Kombat and Other “Tap-To-Earn” games?
Everyone plays Hamster Kombat not just for fun but for potential financial gain. Developers cooperate with the blockchain platform TON, previously part of the Telegram ecosystem. After listing, players will receive their $HMSTR in their TON wallet.
Airdrop: The Key to Earning
Players hope for an airdrop, a free distribution of cryptocurrency to early project supporters. The airdrop budget is essentially a marketing budget to attract more users. Not all tokens are allocated for airdrop, ensuring that the currency gains real value. The success of Notcoin has shown that such tokens can indeed rise in value.
The creators of Hamster Kombat initially promised an airdrop in May, now postponed to June-July. The distribution principle is unclear, with profit per hour being a factor rather than the current balance of coins. Users hope the project is legitimate and not run by scammers.
Final Thoughts
Experts advise selling assets within a week or two of listing, as market makers will likely support the price initially. Holding onto a small portion may be wise if the project continues to gain popularity.
Conclusion
Hamster Kombat and similar games represent the growing trend of integrating gaming with cryptocurrency, offering a simple entry point for new users. While significant earnings are unlikely, these apps can introduce more people to the world of crypto, potentially leading to a more engaged and knowledgeable user base in the long run.
Sourcehttps://medium.com/