Blum Surpasses Hamster Kombat in Defi User Growth Ahead of Anticipated Token Launch
Blum, a gamified Telegram-based decentralized exchange (DEX), has outshone Hamster Kombat’s user growth, hitting a major milestone just before its highly anticipated token generation event (TGE). In November alone, Blum’s user base surged to 42 million, while Hamster Kombat’s continued decline left it at just 36 million monthly active users. The drop in Hamster Kombat’s numbers follows a broader trend of falling engagement in tap-to-earn gaming, which has struggled to retain users after initial launches and airdrops.
Blum’s Impressive Rise and Unique Approach
Launched on April 19, 2024, Blum set an impressive pace right from its debut, attracting over 100,000 users within the first 24 hours of its announcement. Blum positions itself as a unique blend of centralized and decentralized features, combining DeFi with the convenience of Telegram’s mini-app functionality.
As of early November, Blum’s “All Crypto—One App” channel has seen significant growth, adding one million new subscribers in just over a week. At the time of writing, Blum’s token pre-market price ranges from $0.003 to $0.004. Bolstered by an investment from The Open Platform (TOP) in Telegram’s TON ecosystem, Blum has received both funding and technical support to aid in scaling its services for the anticipated influx of users after the TGE.
Strategic Backing and the MVB Program
In September, Binance Labs, the venture capital and incubation arm of Binance, also took notice of Blum’s momentum, investing an undisclosed amount in the project.
By joining the MVB Program, Blum now has direct access to resources and guidance aimed at accelerating its growth and optimizing its technical infrastructure. These investments underscore Blum’s potential in the DeFi landscape, where user-friendly DEXs remain in high demand.
DeFi
The Rise and Fall of Tap-to-Earn Gaming
The meteoric rise of tap-to-earn games has been followed by an equally swift fall. Hamster Kombat, once a top player in this gaming sector with a user base of over 300 million, now struggles with user retention following an airdrop that disappointed many. Issues with the fairness of the token distribution led to frustration among its user base, causing numbers to steadily decline. Similarly, another tap-to-earn game, Catizen, saw its user engagement plummet due to unsatisfactory gameplay and rewards, raising questions about the long-term viability of the tap-to-earn model.
- Rapid Initial Engagement: Tap-to-earn games attract huge numbers with airdrops and easy rewards.
- User Retention Struggles: After initial token distribution, many users quickly disengage and cash out, leading to a steep drop in active players.
Trends in the TON Blockchain and the Wider DeFi Landscape
The challenges in sustaining user engagement are not limited to individual apps. According to DeFiLlama, total assets locked in the TON Blockchain, which hosts various dApps including Blum, have dropped to $354 million, placing it at rank 21 compared to its previous top ten position. This trend suggests that while many users flock to platforms for initial airdrops or incentives, engagement tends to decline afterward. The question remains: will apps like Blum be able to retain their user base over time and prove sustainable?
Airdrop Projects Remain Popular Despite Challenges
Despite the struggles with user retention in tap-to-earn games, the demand for airdrop projects remains high. Platforms like Blum, Tapswap, MemeFi, and X Empire are drawing interest from crypto enthusiasts and investors eager to participate in early-stage DeFi projects. However, skepticism lingers around whether these platforms can retain a strong user base after their TGEs. Blum’s approach to combining DeFi trading with Telegram’s ease of access may give it an edge, but the market will be watching closely to see if the DEX can maintain its growth momentum.
A Look Ahead: Scaling and Sustaining User Engagement
Blum’s ability to scale effectively and maintain engagement will be crucial for its long-term success. With the upcoming TGE and ongoing support from major players like Binance Labs and TOP, the DEX has positioned itself as a contender in the evolving DeFi space. Whether Blum’s user-friendly, gamified approach will translate into lasting adoption remains to be seen.
In a rapidly evolving DeFi landscape, where short-term gains often overshadow long-term sustainability, Blum represents an interesting experiment in user engagement and accessibility. As it moves forward, the DEX will need to address the retention issue that has plagued similar platforms, proving to its users and investors that its model can stand the test of time.
Conclusion
Blum’s rapid rise in user numbers ahead of its token generation event signals a promising future for the gamified DEX, especially as it combines DeFi with the convenience of a Telegram-based mini-app. Backed by substantial investments from Binance Labs and The Open Platform, Blum has positioned itself as a unique player in the crypto space with the potential to disrupt conventional trading models by making DeFi more accessible.
However, the challenges faced by similar tap-to-earn projects like Hamster Kombat and Catizen serve as a cautionary tale. These projects saw initial success but struggled with user retention after airdrops, as many users quickly disengaged once incentives diminished. For Blum, sustaining its growth will require a focus on long-term engagement strategies, robust features, and fair rewards that go beyond the allure of a token event.
