Catizen, a gaming bot on Telegram that operates on The Open Network, is set to contribute to the mass adoption of Web3 through its play-to-airdrop model. As Web3 continues to grow, attracting new users from Web2 is a priority for many projects. Telegram, with its large user base nearing 1 billion people, provides an ideal middle ground between the two digital spaces and offers a gateway into the blockchain ecosystem through its integration with The Open Network and support of Web3.
Catizen is a Telegram-based gaming bot integrated into the TON blockchain, aiming to introduce Web3 to a wider audience through mini games and mobile payments. The game leverages Telegram’s traffic to establish a presence in the Web3 space and attract the platform’s social ecosystem. The play-to-airdrop model rewards players with airdrops for participating in each game. The user experience has been carefully fine-tuned to ensure engaging and intuitive interaction through easy-to-use interfaces.
The game takes place in an open digital world called Meowverse, centered around a cat theme. Each player owns a digital cat that serves as their credentials to access the Launchpool in Catizen. As players progress, they can upgrade their cats by merging them to climb the leaderboard and potentially earn higher returns. Players 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 game’s Launchpool for returns. The last Launchpool is open to users with at least 1,000 FishCoins or a level 110 cat, although requirements may vary for different Launchpools.
Since its public beta launch in March 2024, Catizen has grown rapidly, attracting over 11 million players globally. The game has over 1.7 million daily active users and around 750,000 on-chain players. Catizen’s on-chain participation rate of 7% among its total users surpasses Telegram’s crypto conversion rate of 0.66%. This high participation rate positions Catizen as a significant Web3 traffic gateway and supports applications across the entire ecosystem.
Catizen’s success is evident in its performance in The Open League season rankings, where it has won rewards for both seasons in the app battle, competing for a $500,000 prize pool. The Open League ensures fair competition within the TON x Telegram ecosystem. Catizen stands out from other Telegram-based bot projects by attracting high-quality on-chain users, making it challenging for competitors to match its performance.
Since its release, Catizen has seen approximately $10 million worth of in-game asset purchases distributed across various crypto tokens, including TON, NOT, MNT, and USDT. The project has an ambitious roadmap ahead, including the launch of its own token and the establishment of a game center in the third quarter. Multiple mini-games are also planned for release.
Catizen aims to become a mini-app center by combining its Launchpool with short videos and e-commerce. It has already secured agreements for 18 mini-games with over 50 million downloads, including popular games like Hero Wars. The project focuses on attracting and engaging users through gamification and play-to-airdrop initiatives.
Educating Web2 users about Web3 is crucial for expanding the user base, and leveraging high-traffic ecosystems like Telegram is a good starting point. Projects that integrate various aspects of digital interaction, such as gameplay, e-commerce, and social networking, can 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 substantial on-chain user activity. It provides a unique experience within the Web3 playground.
Learn more about Catizen (Disclaimer: This is a sponsored article and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.)

