"Hamster Kombat Unveils Gaming-Focused Layer-2 Blockchain on TON"

Hamster Kombat, the popular Telegram-based tap-to-earn game, has expanded its ecosystem with the launch of Hamster Network, a dedicated Layer-2 blockchain built on The Open Network (TON). The announcement, made on February 25, 2025, positions the new network as the first gaming-focused Layer-2 solution within the TON ecosystem.

The Hamster Network is designed to provide high-speed transactions and minimal fees, creating an infrastructure that supports Web3 gaming experiences. This development comes at a time when Telegram has deepened its involvement with TON, naming it as its exclusive crypto infrastructure provider.

The team behind Hamster Kombat expressed their excitement about the launch, stating, "We are excited to report on the launch of Hamster Network – the first-ever gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain built on TON! Hamster Network will provide blazing-fast and scalable infrastructure for demanding decentralized apps and games."

The new network is built using TON Virtual Machine, ensuring that smart contracts remain fully compatible with TON’s existing ecosystem. This compatibility makes it easy for developers to port their decentralized applications to the Hamster Network without major modifications.

Security remains a priority for the network, with all proof records generated by Hamster Network posted to TON’s Layer-1 blockchain. This approach combines the speed and low costs of a Layer-2 solution with the security benefits of TON’s main chain.

The infrastructure launched with several key components already in place. Users can access an integrated wallet for managing assets, a canonical bridge for moving tokens between networks, and a dedicated decentralized exchange (DEX) for trading.

Hamster Kombat rose to prominence last year as a tap-to-earn game on Telegram, amassing over 300 million players. The game allowed users to earn rewards through simple tapping mechanics, attracting a massive user base within Telegram’s platform.

The HMSTR token, which was launched in September 2024, received mixed reactions from players. Some complained about receiving small token allocations despite months of gameplay. The token experienced price volatility, hitting an all-time low last week before recovering slightly following the Hamster Network announcement.

The Hamster Network launch coincides with the release of Hamster Kombat: GameDev Heroes, which represents the game’s second season. This new version reframes the tap-to-earn experience under the