The Telegram mini-game Catizen earned $16 million from in-game purchases, donating 1% to save stray cats. Within months, Catizen attracted over 26 million users and introduced blockchain via TON-based smart contracts.
Catizen’s achievement of winning The Open League’s App Battle in two consecutive seasons brought investment from Binance Labs. The game, set in a cat-themed Meowverse, allows players to run a cat cafe and earn in-game currency, vKITTY.
With a community of 25 million gamers and 1.5 million active users, Catizen has popularized tap-to-earn games, boosting the TON ecosystem. Telegram plans to launch a Mini Apps store and web3-supported browser, further integrating digital assets into social platforms.
Despite its success, the rise in popularity has led to an increase in phishing attacks targeting TON users. Catizen exemplifies how accessible cryptocurrency games can drive blockchain adoption and engagement.
