Hamster Kombat expands its Web3 gaming ambitions with the launch of Hamster Network, a TON-compatible Layer 2 blockchain. This move aligns with Telegram’s exclusive adoption of TON, ensuring seamless integration. With new initiatives like HamsterVerse, the game aims to reignite player engagement.

TON blockchain bursts into 2025 with an ambitious technical development plan. The team plans to launch the major Accelerator mainnet upgrade, restart works on Payment Network, a.k.a. TON's Lightning Network, and introduce new developer and UX features.

In a move that should surprise no one, Telegram strengthens its partnership with TON blockchain, pushing out all other networks from Telegram Mini App developer toolkits.

TON's strategy of onboarding new users leverages the boom in Mini Apps, which are now trying to integrate DeFi projects.

TON Teleport is a trustless bridge allowing users to securely transfer BTC between the Bitcoin and TON blockchains without central intermediaries. The bridge is presently in the testnet phase, with its launch planned for the second quarter of 2025.

As Telegram bots and mini-apps rapidly expand their reach, the in-app currency substitute is finding more use cases. In the end, this can also benefit Ton token.

After the massive airdrop, Hamster Kombat's user base has cooled off. As the game is about to embark on a new season, it remains to be seen if the team can bring utility and value to its token and keep the users engaged.

Telegram's founder was arrested in August in France. While the reason given was his connection to criminal activity on the platform, Telegram's activities in Web3 could be the real cause. Like Facebook's Libra/Diem, authorities can be sensitive to private money initiatives by large social networks.