Tap-to-Earn Games See User Counts Plunge Despite Crypto Boom

Telegram-based tap-to-earn crypto games are losing users rapidly, even as the broader cryptocurrency market enjoys a bullish phase.

Data from Google Trends reveals that search interest in “tap-to-earn” has plummeted by 80% between June and December 2024. This significant decline suggests that players and investors may be shifting their focus to other areas in the thriving crypto market.

Decline in Tap-to-Earn Games User Interest and Engagement

Leading Telegram-based games such as Hamster Kombat, Notcoin, and Catizen have seen massive drops in users despite a booming crypto market. According to TGStats, Hamster Kombat alone lost over 3 million users in just one month, while Notcoin and Catizen shed 428,000 and 407,000 users, respectively.

On-chain activity data paints a similar picture. The Ton blockchain, which powers these games, recorded more than 1 million daily active wallets in September. According to TonStats, this number had fallen below 500,000 by December.

A Chainplay survey of 957 players supports these findings. While 17.8% of users quit after their first airdrop, a notable 50.6% reduced their activity, suggesting declining interest after initial rewards.

Moreover, developers continue to struggle with user retention, as many players leave after claiming free tokens. Animoca Brands reports that top-performing projects manage to retain only 60% of their peak daily active users, with less successful projects retaining as little as 25%.

Why Tap-to-Earn Games Are Losing Players

Repetitive gameplay remains a primary issue. Chainplay reported that over 51% of surveyed players cited monotonous tasks as a key reason for quitting. Despite efforts to improve user experience, many tap-to-earn games rely on simple mechanics, causing player fatigue.

Additionally, larger player bases dilute airdrop rewards, leaving participants feeling undervalued. More than half of surveyed users expressed dissatisfaction with smaller allocations.

Fraud and security concerns also contribute to user attrition. Games like Hamster Kombat have banned millions of accounts for exploiting reward systems. Security risks such as hacking and cheating further discourage participation, with 21.8% of respondents highlighting these issues.

Lastly, difficulties in withdrawing rewards have frustrated players, with 35.9% citing cash-out challenges. As retention problems persist, the future of tap-to-earn crypto games will depend on developers addressing these core issues and delivering engaging, secure experiences that appeal to a broader audience.