TapSwap is a Telegram tap-to-earn game that's building on The Open Network (TON), reportedly drawing over 60 million users amid a surge in interest in similar games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat.

While the basic premise is familiar, TapSwap offers another way for Telegram gamers to potentially earn some crypto while playing, following TapSwap's announcement that it will be launching a token on TON.

With the token launch and airdrop window now set, players have only weeks left to make more progress before the TAPS token launches. Here's everything you need to know about TapSwap.

How to play TapSwap

At its core, TapSwap has the same basic premise as Notcoin, before the airdrop. You’ll load up the game via a Telegram mini app on iOS or Android, and play within the messaging platform. From there, you’ll tap a gold coin at the center of the screen to earn points, but you can only tap for as long as your “Energy” bar permits—and then you’ll have to wait for it to refill.

Players can also complete special tasks to earn bonus points, with tasks including things like joining TapSwap’s community on social media or registering for a Binance exchange account (KYC and all). Players can also earn bonus points by referring friends, not only with an initial burst of coins but also additional coins based on their in-game activity.

Finally, there are boosts. Players can use boosts to augment their tapping abilities and earn even more coins. Each day, you get three free “Tapping Guru” and “Full Tank” boosters. Tapping Guru boosts earn you more points per tap, while Full Tank fills up your energy bar so you can get back to tapping.

Besides the free daily boosters, you can also purchase premium boosts with your earned coins. These include Multitap, which increases the amount of coins earned for each tap going forward; Energy Limit, which permanently increases your energy bar’s limit; and Recharging Speed, which increases the rate at which your energy bar refills.

Lastly, there’s a Tap Bot. The Tap Bot will continue to earn you points passively when you’re not playing the game, as long as you stop by every 12 hours to claim your haul.

TapSwap has also added a city-builder mode called Tappy Town, where you can gradually upgrade buildings in a city and earn towards the upcoming airdrop. All of this progress will play into TAPS token allocations.

When is the airdrop?

TapSwap's token was expected months ago, but the team opted to wait to push it out. Now, we know that the TAPS token is set to launch on The Open Network in late January 2025, which is when the airdrop will also take place.

Following the airdrop, TapSwap's developers plan to expand and evolve the premise of the game. A representative told Decrypt in December that TapSwap will transform into a skill-based platform with competitive tournaments, "leaving traditional pay-to-win models behind."

Interestingly, at launch, TapSwap offered a Solana wallet integration, but subsequently announced that it would release its token on TON as the Telegram gaming ecosystem gained momentum.

Edited by Andrew Hayward

Editor's note: This story was originally published on June 19, 2024, and last updated with new details on December 16.