In a recent interview with the TON blockchain team, Catizen revealed that more than 40% of Telegram Premium users are on Catizen. To put this in perspective, at the start of 2024, Telegram had about 5 million Telegram Premium users. 40% of this number equals those who have access to Premium services on Catizen.
While anyone can play the game on Telegram, Premium Telegram users are given preference and access to more services. According to the Catizen’s team, they also have over 1.5 million on-chain users and more than 550,000 paying users. This number is different from its Telegram Premium users.
Catizen is a rapidly growing play-to-earn game integrated into the Telegram ecosystem, where players assume the role of a mayor managing a virtual city populated by cats. Launched in January 2024, it has quickly gained traction, surpassing $10 million in in-game revenue.
The game merges city-building mechanics with cryptocurrency economics, allowing players to develop their cities, construct buildings, and engage in various tasks to earn in-game currency known as Catizen coins.
The gameplay revolves around a unique model where players earn rewards by completing daily missions and managing resources effectively. Players can personalize their cities with different buildings and decorations, while also engaging in multiplayer interactions, either collaborating or competing with others. The game features a variety of cat characters, each with distinct traits, enhancing the strategic elements of gameplay
Growth, success in The Open League, and Binance Labs investment
Catizen noted that the project has moved from Phase 1 to Phase 2 and is now entering Phase 3. This transition included the implementation of a self-sustaining business model combining In-App Purchases (IAP) and In-App Advertising (IAA), the launch of a game engine and SDK, and the completion of a financing round.
“At Catizen, we have revolutionized the traditional In-App Advertising (IAA) and In-App Purchase (IAP) business model from Web2, transforming it into a combination of In-App Blockchain (IAB) and IAP,” it said.
Catizen explained that it guides users through on-chain interactions. Catizen educate Web2 users on connecting wallets and gradually transition them into Web3 by leveraging their familiar gaming habits to reach higher game levels.
All of these developments have created a foundation for Catizen to introduce a mini-game center, and a token airdrop. Since the project was launched, users have been anticipating the release of the airdrop which may be tied to certain criteria such as points accrued, levels attained, and others.
Additionally, Catizen also talked about its unprecedented success in The Open League and how it has attracted, amongst other games on TON, investment from Binance Labs. Catizen have won The Open League three consecutive seasons.
The Open League is a strategic initiative launched by the TON Foundation aimed at fostering engagement and growth within the TON blockchain ecosystem. This program seeks to distribute over $115 million in Toncoin as incentives to attract new users and projects, with the ambitious goal of acquiring 5 million users within the next year.
The Open League operates through a seasonal structure, beginning with a pilot season designed to create a proof of concept for the ecosystem.
Participants in the Open League can earn rewards through various mechanisms, including Soul-Bound Tokens (SBTs) awarded for sustained on-chain activity and incentives granted to projects based on community votes.
The program gamifies the onboarding process by directing users to mini-apps developed on the TON platform, which enhances user engagement and simplifies access to decentralized applications.
Pluto also stands as one of the only projects to have attracted investment from Binance Labs, along with other prominent investors like TOP, Hashkey, and Folius Ventures. Pluto Studio is the publisher and developer behind the Catizen game on the Telegram platform. It aims to create a vibrant and engaging platform that integrates mini-games, short dramas, and e-commerce, driving the next wave of Web 3.0 entertainment.
“Binance Labs’ investment in Pluto is primarily aimed at expanding within the TON ecosystem, which is recognized for its immense potential and promising future,” Catizen said.
It added that investors have identified our distinct advantages over other projects, making Pluto stand out.
CRevenue, future plans of Catizen, and addressing community feedback
Describing the success the project has recorded, Catizen stated that it has an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $31.02. This is significantly higher than the industry average. This growth reflects the project’s successful business model and high user engagement.
On future plans, it revealed that it has signed over 18 well-established Web2 mini-games, some with strong community bases and others generating substantial revenue. “These games will cover a variety of genres and incorporate similar Web3 functionalities to engage further and educate our players.”
Responding to community feedback related to the delayed airdrop and partnerships with PETA, Catizen said that it was expedient they delayed the airdrop after consulting with its partners.
“Our main priority is to ensure that when the airdrop happens, nearly 27 million Catizen users can benefit, and CATI holders have plenty of choices and potential.”
To prepare for the airdrop, it has also opened its SDK and gaming platform. The goal is to create long-term value for $CATI, not just treat it as a meme coin. This is crucial for building a sustainable tokenomic structure for $CATI’s potential and use cases.
It has also decided to suspend its in-bot collaboration with PETA. This is partly due to the realization that PETA has previously been involved in euthanizing animals – ending the life of an animal to relieve it from suffering, pain, or an incurable condition.
