The Open Platform (TOP) Invests in Catizen, a Tap-to-Earn Game on Telegram

The Open Platform (TOP), a major player in the TON ecosystem, has invested an undisclosed amount in PLUTO Studio—the developer of the Telegram tap-to-earn game Catizen.

The Open Platform (TOP), a key participant in the TON ecosystem, has disclosed an undisclosed investment in PLUTO Studio, the studio behind the Telegram tap-to-earn game Catizen.

This investment highlights TOP's commitment to supporting the TON blockchain and fostering innovation within the ecosystem.

Catizen, the flagship project of PLUTO Studio, has achieved several milestones and garnered widespread attention. According to official data shared with BeInCrypto, the game had attracted over 24.8 million in-game players and 1.4 million on-chain users as of July 13.

Moreover, the total accumulated in-game purchases amounted to $14.6 million across various cryptocurrencies, including Toncoin, USDT, Notcoin, and Mantle (MNT). With 516,363 total paying users, the average revenue per user (ARPU) stood at approximately $30.

Given these accomplishments, the recent investment in Catizen marks a promising venture for The Open Platform. Andrew Rogozov, Founder and CEO of The Open Platform, commended the Catizen team for their innovative approach.

“The Catizen team has launched one of the most successful social games in the Telegram mini-apps ecosystem to date. […] With their extensive experience creating social games on other platforms, they are shaping the future of gaming on Telegram,” Rogozov said.

Furthermore, Sasha Plotvinov, Founder of Open Builders and Notcoin, expressed confidence in Catizen's unique business model within the Telegram mini-app ecosystem. He highlighted the sustainability of Catizen compared to other tap-to-earn games, further underscoring the strategic value of this investment.

Catizen distinguishes itself from other tap-to-earn games through its unique gameplay. In contrast to simply tapping the screen, players in Catizen can swipe to group cats in their cat café to level them up.

Players operate the café, where customers visit to interact with the cats in exchange for cash. When customers pick up a level one kitty, players receive some vKITTY—the in-game currency.

In addition to the investment, the Catizen team recently announced an increase in the airdrop share for its native token, CATI, to 43%. However, the team has not yet disclosed the precise date for the airdrop.

Tap-to-earn games have indeed fueled substantial growth within the TON ecosystem by offering engaging mechanics and real rewards. They highlight the potential of blockchain integration on the Telegram platform, transforming crypto adoption and setting a new standard for digital asset integration in social and gaming platforms.

The potential of tap-to-earn games was also recognized by prominent crypto trader Alex Krüger. He highlighted their ease of access, gamification of crypto, community and social features, microtransactions, and marketing virality. These factors contribute to the rapid growth and success of games like Catizen, Hamster Kombat, Truecoin, and Pixelverse.