Telegram Game 'TapSwap' Dumps TON for BNB Chain Ahead of Airdrop

Telegram tap-to-earn game TapSwap announced it will launch its upcoming TAPS token on BNB Chain instead of The Open Network (TON), as originally planned. 

The game was expected to complete its token airdrop in the second half of January, but recently said it delayed its token launch on the advice of an unnamed “tier-1” decentralized exchange in hopes of finding better market conditions. 

Now though, after completing its first season of gameplay on February 6, the project is moving forward with its token launch on BNB—which is expected to take place on February 14, per an X post from earlier this week.

“Launching TAPS on BNB Chain boosts speed, security, and accessibility, making TapSwap even stronger for players and investors,” the project said. 

Users are set to earn the game’s upcoming token based on their overall engagement with TapSwap’s tap-to-earn game. However, moving forward, the game is working on transitioning away from its tap-to-earn roots and integrating skill-based gaming.

Telegram Goes Exclusive With TON, Barring Other Networks From Apps and Games

Messaging platform Telegram is making things official with TON—again. On Tuesday, Telegram and The Open Network Foundation announced an exclusivity deal that will require Telegram mini apps (including games) with crypto integrations to use TON, with Telegram also providing various benefits to projects that utilize the network. “The integration of TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram mini apps is a strategic step forward, strengthening TON's status as one of the world's leading blockchain...

In early January, Telegram and The Open Network (TON) announced an exclusivity agreement that would require all mini games or applications with a crypto integration to use TON exclusively.

However, despite previously promoting a partnership with TON, TapSwap did not make any mention of Telegram or any migration plans in its token launch announcement.

Telegram Game 'Farm Frens' Airdrop Delayed as Devs Call TON 'The Closed Network'

Telegram game Farm Frens is delaying its FREN token airdrop on the Base layer-2 network until February, citing important roadmap adjustments as a result of “unreasonable deadlines” from Telegram and The Open Network.  The game sounded off about “heavy-handed restrictions” that stem from the recent announcement that all Telegram mini apps with crypto integrations would need to utilize The Open Network (TON) moving forward.  “Mini app devs (like our team) were given no prior warning, and the heavy...

Decrypt asked a TapSwap representative for more details regarding the BNB shift, including how the move will impact the game's ability to integrate crypto functionality within Telegram.

TapSwap isn’t the only Telegram crypto game to move forward with plans to launch on a chain other than TON, despite the apparent limitations forced by the exclusivity deal. For example, Farm Frens will still launch its upcoming token on Ethereum layer-2 network Base, taking aim at TON in a recent announcement by calling it “The Closed Network.”

Edited by Andrew Hayward