Catizen, the popular tap-to-earn game on Telegram, has finally launched its CATI token after a two-month delay, marking a significant milestone for the TON blockchain ecosystem. On Friday, at 6 a.m. ET, the CATI token debuted on several major centralized exchanges, including Binance, Bybit, and Bitget, with 150 million tokens, or 15% of the total supply, airdropped to eligible users from the game’s Season 1 distribution.
The trading launch comes after a two-month delay, during which Pluto Studio, the game’s developer, faced criticism from players over token allocation adjustments. Initially, a larger share of CATI tokens was planned for the airdrop, but 9% of the supply was redirected to the Binance Launchpool, causing frustration among some players. Despite these challenges, CATI’s trading debut signals a key moment for both Catizen and the TON blockchain.
The CATI Token – Distribution And Utility
The total supply of CATI tokens is capped at 1 billion, with a substantial portion—340 million tokens—allocated for airdrops over multiple seasons. In the current launch, 150 million tokens were distributed based on player activity, while another 190 million tokens are set aside for future quarterly airdrop campaigns. Users were able to claim and stake their CATI tokens on selected exchanges ahead of the token generation event, bolstering early interest in the token.
The remaining 57% of CATI’s supply is divided among key stakeholders. Liquidity purposes take up 5%, the treasury holds 15%, the development team has 20%, investors receive 10%, and advisors hold 7%. Each of these allocations is set on a 12-month cliff with a 48-month linear release schedule to ensure long-term stability.
Player Backlash and Adjustments
Despite the excitement around the token launch, not all Catizen players were pleased with the final airdrop allocations. Players had expected a higher percentage of tokens to be distributed to users, but the last-minute diversion of 9% of the supply to Binance Launchpool sparked controversy. Additionally, some players questioned the weighting of eligibility criteria, suggesting it favored certain users over others.
Nevertheless, Catizen’s developer, Pluto Studio, pushed ahead with the distribution, with deposit registrations for CATI to non-custodial wallets opening on Thursday. By Friday morning, eligible participants had received their tokens and could begin trading.
Telegram’s Expanding Crypto Footprint
Catizen’s success is part of a broader trend on Telegram, which has seen explosive growth in the popularity of tap-to-earn games. Other games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin have also driven engagement within the TON blockchain ecosystem, helping to cement Telegram’s position in the Web3 space. Notably, Notcoin’s token NOT launched earlier this year, reaching a peak market cap of $1.5 billion.
Telegram’s strategic moves, such as introducing a mini-app store and Web3-compatible in-app browser, have further supported this growth. According to a recent Bitget report, the TON blockchain now boasts 900 million active users and hosts over 1,100 crypto projects. Its daily transaction volume has surged from 100,000 to 1.2 million in just a year, showcasing the growing significance of the platform.
As the CATI token begins trading, Catizen’s role in expanding the TON blockchain ecosystem is undeniable. With over 39 million users and $16 million in revenue from in-app purchases, Catizen is a powerhouse in Telegram’s mini-game ecosystem. The tap-to-earn trend is not only driving engagement but also fueling the growth of decentralized finance (DeFi) on TON.
Also Read: Catizen Airdrop Controversy – 15.2M Users Affected As Token Allocation Drops To 15%
With the upcoming launch of Hamster Kombat’s token and continued updates from Catizen, Telegram’s ecosystem is well-positioned for further expansion, making it a key player in the blockchain gaming sector.
This launch represents a pivotal moment for both Catizen and the TON blockchain, as the growing popularity of these tap-to-earn games continues to reshape the landscape of blockchain gaming and Web3 adoption.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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