Telegram’s Role in Web3 Mass Adoption

The explosive growth of Telegram gaming is revolutionizing how Web3 projects engage users, according to Robby Yung, CEO of Animoca Brands. With major crypto games like Hamster Kombat drawing over 300 million users, Yung predicts that Telegram will soon become a must-have component for all Web3 projects, marking the beginning of mass adoption.

Yung’s vision for Telegram extends beyond just a messaging platform—it represents a vital funnel for user acquisition and engagement. “Anybody with a Web3 app will have a Telegram strategy for user onboarding because it represents a distribution, advertising, and marketing vector,” Yung said at the Zebu Live event in London.

Web3 Projects’ Integration with Telegram

Yung foresees that Web3 projects will integrate with Telegram in various ways. Some may use it to offer gamified experiences that help onboard users, while others might create educational channels to guide users through their platforms. One example is PiP World, an educational gaming ecosystem that created a tap-to-earn game on Telegram, which now boasts 370,000 monthly users. These users can be redirected to the project’s core offerings, further illustrating the potential of Telegram as a powerful onboarding tool.

With 950 million users on Telegram, the platform is a natural fit for Web3, especially with its recent native wallet integration and support for crypto projects. For Yung, the app is becoming a key player in the Web3 space, offering a massive audience for crypto gaming projects to tap into.

Telegram as a Gateway to Mass Adoption

Yung points out that platforms like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin are prime examples of mass adoption in action. The viral mechanisms within Telegram, such as sharing and posting, have propelled these projects to incredible heights. Hamster Kombat’s YouTube channel, for instance, hit 37 million subscribers, while Notcoin’s token reached a staggering $3 billion market cap—the most successful gaming token of the year.

To put this into perspective, the number of crypto wallets with a positive balance grew from 250 million in early 2023 to 400 million by March 2024, according to Chainalysis. Last week, the total number of holders of TON (The Open Network), Telegram’s blockchain currency, topped 100 million. This rapid growth underscores the power of Telegram’s open ecosystem, which places no restrictions on Web3 features, unlike traditional platforms like Steam, which ban crypto and NFTs.

Yung believes that Telegram’s embrace of Web3 could set a new standard for how other platforms approach the technology. “Telegram is the first platform with substantial global distribution that actually does not place any restrictions or limits on Web3-enabled features,” Yung emphasized. This open approach to blockchain technology is helping projects break free from the restrictions imposed by traditional distribution platforms.

Tap-to-Earn Games and Viral Growth

One of the standout examples of Telegram’s viral power is the rise of tap-to-earn games. These games use Telegram’s built-in social features to encourage users to follow, share, and engage, driving exponential growth. Yung sees this strategy as a key factor in Hamster Kombat’s success and believes it’s only a matter of time before other Web3 projects adopt similar tactics.

For Web3 companies, Telegram represents more than just a messaging app; it’s a critical marketing and user acquisition tool. Yung compares this shift to the way traditional banks began offering mobile apps in addition to websites 15 years ago. Now, Web3 projects are following suit, ensuring that they have a Telegram complement to their core offerings.

With its growing user base and commitment to Web3 integration, Telegram is poised to play a pivotal role in the mass adoption of blockchain technology. As more projects like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin use the platform to engage millions of users, it’s clear that Telegram is becoming the gateway to Web3 for both developers and users alike. For Robby Yung and Animoca Brands, the future is clear: Web3 projects will need a strong Telegram strategy to succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape.