Messaging technology Telegram’s Web3 gaming platform is now losing ground to Solana as popular titles opt for the altcoin’s blockchain instead.
The mini apps platform was launched in 2023 as a super-app platform where Web3 businesses could create crypto-friendly apps within Telegram to improve their presence. Now, the popularity of this platform is dwindling due to an exclusivity agreement in place.
A steady exodus
Games like PAWS, Cattea, Bombie, Pixelverse and others had millions of users on Telegram’s messaging platform. Most of these titles have either partially or fully migrated to Solana or elsewhere.
PAWS—a key Web3 tracking app—closed down on Telegram and migrated its users over to Sol. This was due to an agreement between Telegram and TON (Telegram Open Network) that all Web3 games operating on TON had to be exclusive.
TON is Telegram’s native blockchain.
Some are sticking around
There are some titles that didn’t move away from Telegram. Popular game Pixelverse integrated Solana’s MEW tokens into its Telegram mini games, creating a link between the game and Solana. Games like Bombie and Cattea are operating on both blockchain networks.
Developers are also forming their own L2 chains instead of signing on with Telegram. Popular Web3 game developer ZKcandy created its own layer 2 chain after initially considering a partnership with TON. The exclusivity agreement was a key factor in ZKcandy’s decision, as reported by CCN.
Amid this migration, Hamster Kombat is still locked into the TON ecosystem. The game had lost 96% of its players by the end of February 2025.
What is Web3 gaming?
Web3 gaming is an emerging ecosystem based on the blockchain that offers games with crypto as the main currency. The titles available are typically P2E or Play to Earn, allowing users to enjoy their favourite games and earn rewards as well in the form of in-game crypto and NFTs. Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and The Sandbox were some of the first games to enter this space.
