Why PAWS Is Taking Over Telegram: The Tap-to-Earn Game That Hit 27M Users in Days

Telegram has become the unexpected epicenter of crypto gaming, and PAWS is the latest project to shake up the space. Created by the same team behind Notcoin and DOGS, PAWS exploded onto the scene with over 27 million users and 10 million community members within just 10 days of launch. But what’s driving this meteoric rise, and how can you get in on the action?

The Telegram Gaming Phenomenon: Why PAWS Stands Out

The Telegram mini-app landscape is crowded, but PAWS has carved out a distinct niche. Unlike Hamster Kombat—which reached 240 million users in 90 days but plummeted to 41 million by November 2024 due to retention issues and regional restrictions—PAWS is built on fundamentally different principles.

Hamster Kombat demands complex strategy and time investment, managing virtual crypto exchanges in a deep gameplay loop. PAWS takes the opposite approach: simplicity over complexity. By stripping away the learning curve and focusing on accessibility, PAWS appeals to Telegram’s massive base of casual users who want quick, rewarding interactions without friction.

The numbers tell the story. PAWS reached 27 million users in a tenth of the time it took traditional gaming platforms to gain traction, proving that the market is hungry for frictionless earning opportunities.

How PAWS Works: Earn $PAWS Tokens Without the Hassle

Tap, Refer, Earn. That’s the PAWS formula, and it’s remarkably effective.

The core mechanic is straightforward: open the PAWS bot (@PAWSOG_bot) in Telegram, tap elements within the mini-app, and accumulate points that convert into $PAWS tokens. There’s no complex tutorial, no steep learning curve—just immediate engagement.

But PAWS adds layers that keep users coming back:

Community-Weighted Rewards: The platform doesn’t just count taps. It analyzes your Telegram account age, previous airdrop participation history, and social engagement levels. This creates a fairness mechanism where established community members are rewarded more generously, building loyalty and reducing low-effort farming.

The Referral Engine: The real money-maker is the 10% referral bonus. Invite friends, and you passively earn 10% of their earnings indefinitely. This transforms PAWS from a solo grinding game into a network effect machine—players become evangelists because their success directly depends on spreading the word.

Integrated Earning Paths: Beyond tapping, you earn by:

• Joining partner Telegram communities (DOGS, Notcoin, etc.)
• Following PAWS on social media
• Participating in community challenges
• Completing engagement tasks

Getting Started with PAWS: The Complete Playbook

Step 1: Activate the Bot Search for @PAWSOG_bot on Telegram and start a conversation. The bot will initialize your account and begin analyzing your profile for airdrop eligibility.

Step 2: Link Your TON Wallet Connect a TON-compatible wallet like Tonkeeper. This secures your tokens and enables future withdrawals. Only use verified official links—scam wallets are rampant in the Telegram ecosystem.

Step 3: Start Earning Tap in-game elements, complete social tasks, and use your referral link to grow your balance. Track progress in real-time within the app interface.

Step 4: Scale with Referrals Share your unique referral link in communities, on social media, or with friends. Each active referral compounds your earnings exponentially over time.

The Airdrop Mechanics: Timeline and Maximization

PAWS launched its airdrop campaign on October 22, 2024, with no announced end date. Early movers have a structural advantage because:

1. Account age matters—older Telegram accounts get higher multipliers
2. Airdrop history is weighted—users with track records of claiming previous airdrops are deemed more reliable
3. Time in app is cumulative—longer participation periods increase your total allocation

To maximize your $PAWS allocation:

• Participate across all earning channels (tasks, referrals, community participation)
• Stay active consistently—sporadic engagement is weighted lower
• Build a genuine referral network rather than spam farming
• Connect your TON wallet early to signal serious intent
• Follow official PAWS channels for bonus task announcements

The Security Reality: Don’t Get Rugged

PAWS’s popularity has attracted scammers. Protect yourself:

• Use only the official bot (@PAWSOG_bot)
• Only visit verified links from official PAWS Telegram channels
• Never share private keys—legitimate projects never ask for this
• Verify wallet connections through official TON-compatible platforms like Tonkeeper
• Check official channels first before clicking anything in DMs or unverified groups

Could PAWS Replicate the DOGS Success?

DOGS was the proof of concept. Launched similarly as a Telegram mini-app with referral mechanics, it created massive viral growth and eventually listed on major exchanges. PAWS has an even stronger foundation: faster user acquisition, a more battle-tested rewards model, and a team with proven execution.

The critical question isn’t “will PAWS list?” but “when will it list, and at what valuation?” For participants who’ve accumulated significant balances through early engagement and referrals, the potential upside is substantial.

However, this isn’t guaranteed. Telegram gaming is experimental territory. Regulatory scrutiny, token distribution backlash, or market timing could derail any project. PAWS’s success depends on sustainable growth, not just viral hype.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time?

PAWS represents the evolution of Telegram-based earning: it’s simpler than Hamster Kombat, more legitimate-feeling than shitcoin farming, and backed by a team with successful track records.

The barrier to entry is near-zero. You spend 5 minutes setting up and can earn passively through referrals while scrolling Telegram normally. The upside scenario—a major exchange listing—isn’t fantasy; it’s precedent.

The downside risk? Your time and attention, plus the possibility of token value collapse at launch. The key is to participate without over-investing emotional energy or capital.

For users already active in the Telegram ecosystem, PAWS is worth exploring. For casual crypto observers, it’s a low-risk way to test the Telegram gaming space. Just follow official links, secure your wallet, and don’t expect guaranteed riches—expect a fun, rewarding experiment.