Robby Yung Predicts Telegram Integration in Every Web3 Project

Robby Yung Predicts Telegram’s Role in Web3 Mass Adoption

Robby Yung, CEO of Animoca Brands, a prominent crypto investment firm, predicts that every Web3 project will soon incorporate a Telegram experience. This shift comes as Telegram gaming has surged this year, with crypto initiatives like Hamster Kombat attracting over 300 million users. Yung believes this marks the beginning of mass adoption in the sector.

The Importance of Telegram for User Onboarding

“Anyone with a Web3 app will develop a Telegram strategy for user onboarding, as it serves as a vital channel for distribution, advertising, and marketing,” Yung explained during an interview with Decrypt at Zebu Live in London. “From DeFi to gaming, no matter where their core experience lies, all projects will have a Telegram complement.”

Yung elaborated that this integration could take various forms, such as a game designed to engage users and direct them to the main experience, or a chat function that educates users on utilizing the project effectively.

Existing Examples of Success

This trend is already in motion. For instance, PiP World, an educational gaming ecosystem, created a tap-to-earn game on Telegram to attract users for its core platform. The project’s Telegram announcement channel currently boasts nearly 370,000 monthly users, who can then be redirected to additional products. “If I’m creating a browser-based experience, there’s no reason I wouldn’t also have a Telegram complement,” Yung noted, likening it to how the banking industry adapted to mobile applications 15 years ago.

Telegram’s Growing Influence in Crypto

Telegram, a messaging app similar to WhatsApp, has fully embraced Web3 this year by launching a native wallet and supporting crypto projects. As a result, the app has amassed a staggering 950 million total users, making it a prime destination for crypto gaming projects seeking large audiences.

“Telegram represents mass adoption,” Yung remarked. “If you look at the numbers that Hamster Kombat and similar projects have generated—over 300 million users—that’s a clear indicator of mass adoption.”

Rapid Growth of Crypto Wallets

To put this into perspective, at the beginning of 2023, there were fewer than 250 million crypto wallets with positive balances, which soared to nearly 400 million by March 2024, according to data from Chainalysis. Last week, the total number of holders of The Open Network’s native currency TON, the blockchain used for many Telegram applications, surpassed 100 million. Yung believes this reflects mass adoption and highlights Telegram as the first significant platform to fully embrace Web3.

Overcoming Distribution Barriers

Yung pointed out that Web3 gaming has faced challenges due to traditional distribution platforms, such as Steam, which have largely excluded crypto and NFTs. “Telegram is the first platform with significant global distribution that imposes no restrictions on Web3-enabled features,” he stated.

The Power of Tap-to-Earn Games

Tap-to-earn games have demonstrated the effectiveness of leveraging “viral mechanisms” within Telegram, encouraging users to follow, share, and engage on social media. This strategy led to Hamster Kombat’s YouTube channel amassing 37 million subscribers and Notcoin launching the year’s most successful gaming token, achieving nearly a $3 billion market cap.

Future Outlook for Web3 Projects

Yung asserts that it is logical for other projects to adopt these marketing strategies to enhance their offerings beyond Telegram. As Web3 continues to evolve, the integration of Telegram into project strategies may prove essential for user engagement and overall success.

FAQ: Telegram and Web3 Integration