TLDR
- Hamster Kombat has created Hamster Network, a gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain built on TON
- The network features fast transactions with minimal fees specifically designed for gaming applications
- Infrastructure includes a native wallet, bridge system, and built-in decentralized exchange
- The platform leverages Telegram’s growing TON integration to reach potential users
- HMSTR token is trading at $0.0017, showing modest price movement following the announcement
Hamster Kombat, the tap-to-earn game that gained hundreds of millions of players through Telegram, has taken a major step in its development by launching Hamster Network. Announced on February 25, 2025, this new Layer-2 blockchain is built on The Open Network (TON) and represents the first gaming-specific Layer-2 solution in the TON ecosystem.
The team behind Hamster Kombat designed the network to address common challenges in blockchain gaming, particularly focusing on transaction speed and cost. By building on TON, the platform aims to make Web3 gaming more accessible to Telegram’s massive user base, which approaches one billion people worldwide.
The announcement was made through the project’s social media channels, where they highlighted the technical advantages of their new network.
“Hamster Network will provide blazing-fast and scalable infrastructure for demanding decentralized apps and games. Crucially, it will enable this at negligible cost per transaction,” the team stated.
Technical compatibility was clearly a priority in development, with the network powered by TON Virtual Machine. This design choice ensures that existing smart contracts on TON can be easily ported to Hamster Network without requiring extensive modifications. Developers familiar with TON’s environment can quickly adapt their applications to work on the new platform.
For users concerned about security, the Hamster Network posts all proof records to TON’s Layer-1 blockchain. This approach combines the speed advantages of a Layer-2 solution with the trusted security of the main TON chain, creating what the team describes as an ideal balance for gaming applications.
The launch includes several ready-to-use components for both users and developers. An integrated wallet allows players to manage their digital assets, while a canonical bridge enables the movement of tokens between TON and the Hamster Network. Additionally, a dedicated decentralized exchange gives users the ability to trade assets directly within the ecosystem.
Hamster Kombat first gained attention in 2024 as one of several tap-to-earn games that became wildly popular on Telegram. The simple gameplay mechanic, which rewarded users for tapping their screens, attracted over 300 million players at its peak, creating one of the largest gaming communities in the crypto space.
The project released its HMSTR token in September 2024, though the distribution received mixed reactions from the community. Many long-time players expressed disappointment with their allocation amounts, feeling that their months of gameplay weren’t adequately rewarded. The token subsequently experienced price volatility typical of many gaming tokens.
Market Analysis
Current market data shows HMSTR trading at approximately $0.0017, with modest gains following the network announcement. Despite this recent uptick, the token remains substantially below its all-time high, trading about 76% down from peak prices reached shortly after its initial launch.
The Hamster Network launch coincides with the recent release of Hamster Kombat: GameDev Heroes, which represents the second season of gameplay. This new version transforms the game’s mechanics to focus on building and managing a virtual game development studio, moving beyond the simple tapping mechanics of the original.
To ensure the network’s performance before widespread adoption, the team has created Hamster Boost, a program that encourages users to participate in stress testing. Participants who help identify potential issues through various blockchain testing challenges can earn rewards for their contributions.
Community reaction has been cautiously positive, with users expressing excitement about the technical possibilities while remaining realistic about challenges ahead. One user commented on social media: “Finally, a blockchain that’s ready to take a run on the gaming track—with all that scalability and low fees, this might just be the turbo boost developers have been craving.”
The timing of the launch aligns with Telegram’s growing commitment to TON as its exclusive crypto infrastructure. This partnership potentially opens doors for greater integration between Telegram’s messaging platform and blockchain applications built on TON, including those using the new Hamster Network.
According to the announcement, multiple development teams are already building new gaming experiences for the Hamster Network, though specific details about upcoming titles have not yet been revealed. The team appears to be focusing on creating a robust ecosystem rather than just a single game.
The network’s emphasis on low transaction costs could help address one of the main barriers to blockchain gaming adoption. Many previous gaming platforms have struggled with high fees that made microtransactions impractical, limiting the types of games that could be successfully deployed.
By leveraging Telegram’s user-friendly mini-app system, Hamster Network may be able to introduce blockchain gaming to users who might otherwise find crypto interfaces too complicated or intimidating. This approach follows a trend of making Web3 experiences more accessible to mainstream audiences.
The launch represents a strategic pivot for Hamster Kombat, moving from being merely a game to becoming a gaming infrastructure provider. This evolution mirrors the development path of other successful blockchain projects that expanded beyond their initial use cases.
With this infrastructure now in place, the coming months will likely reveal whether Hamster Network can attract both developers and players in numbers needed to create a thriving ecosystem around their Layer-2 solution.
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