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.

This strategic investment showcases The Open Platform’s commitment to supporting the TON blockchain and fostering innovation within the ecosystem.

Distinctive Gameplay Sets Catizen Apart in Tap-to-Earn Market

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

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

Read more: Tap-to-Earn: What to Know About the Crypto GameFi Trend

Given these accomplishments, the recent investment in Catizen makes a promising venture for The Open Platform. Andrew Rogozov, Founder and CEO of The Open Platform, praised the Catizen team for their inventive 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.

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

The distinguishing feature of Catizen from other tap-to-earn games is its unique gameplay. Instead of just tapping the screen, Catizen’s players can swipe to group cats in their cat café to level them up.

Players control the café, where customers come to spend time with their kitties 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 that it increased the airdrop share for its native token, CATI, to 43%. However, the team has not yet confirmed the exact date for the airdrop.

Read more: What is Notcoin (NOT)? A Guide to the Telegram-Based GameFi Token

Indeed, tap-to-earn games have driven 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.

Prominent crypto trader Alex Krüger also acknowledged the potential of tap-to-earn games. He noted 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.