What is tap-to-earn? How to earn crypto playing games
Games that pay you to play them are a dream come true for most videogame enthusiasts, and with recent advancements in the digital assets space, this is now a reality.
So, how do these tap-to-earn projects work?
Table of Contents
What Is tap-to-earn?
Tap-to-earn projects are mobile games that pay users in crypto to engage in simple tasks. These tasks often include simply tapping the screen. Users can do this to harvest in-game crops, minerals, or other resources used in the game.
Tap-to-earn games are a growing part of GameFi, the gaming finance sector that combines financial incentives with casual gaming.
Unlike traditional mobile games, tap-to-earn games are typically quite simplistic and repetitive, making them easy for anyone to play. Users can cash out their in-game currency by selling it for other cryptocurrencies or for fiat, like the USD and EUR, at crypto exchanges.
Tap-to-earn projects
Name | Token | Blockchain |
---|---|---|
Notcoin | Notcoin (NOT) | Telegram/TON |
Hamster Kombat | Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) | Telegram/TON |
Blum Clicker | Blum Points (BP) | Blum DEX |
Yescoin | Yescoin (YES) | Ethereum |
TapSwap | TapSwap Coins (TSC) | Telegram/TON |
PlayDoge | PlayDoge Token (PLAY) | Binance Smart Chain |
Mega Dice | Mega Dice Token (DICE) | Polygon |
Shiba Shootout | Shiba Shootout (SHIBASHOOT) | Ethereum |
Fight Night | Fight Night Token (FNIO) | Ethereum |
Gas Wizard | Gas Wizard Token (GWIZ) | Ethereum |
Hypeloot | Hypeloot Token (HLPT) | Ethereum |
Axie Infinity | Axie Infinity Shards (AXS), Small Love Potion (SLP) | Ronin, Ethereum |
Pepe Wick | Pepe Wick (PEPE) | Telegram/TON |
Catizen | Catizen (CAT) | Telegram/TON |
Pixelverse | Pixelverse (PIXEL) | Ethereum/TON |
MemeFi | MemeFi (MEME) | Ethereum |
SnakeLite | SnakeLite (SNAKE) | Telegram/TON |
City Holder | City Holder (CITY) | Telegram/TON |
OKX Racer | OKX Racer | Telegram/TON |
How do tap-to-earn games work?
Tap-to-earn games work by rewarding users crypto for tapping their screen. Of course, there’s a little more to it than that!
Some games, like Notcoin, allow users to unlock tiers of staking rewards with each new game level, creating a type of wider gaming ecosystem. In general, a tap to earn crypto game pays users for watching ads, referring new gamers, and doing activities like tapping or swiping the screen.
While the games pay out crypto, they are monetized and designed to be profitable, with ads being the main source of revenue. Some games also benefit by incentivizing users to stake the game’s native token, thus creating buying pressure for a token in some cases.
At the moment, many users throughout multiple gaming ecosystems report that earnings are relatively small, typically a few cents worth of crypto per day. Of course, this does depend on the game being played, current rewards, and the fluctuating value of the crypto used to pay those rewards.
Benefits of playing tap-to-earn games
The main benefit of playing tap-to-earn games lies in earning rewards. While these rewards are typically small, users who are simply gaming for fun will likely welcome any financial rewards that come with their recreation time.
The game rewards can also be an inroad for new crypto users unsure of how to enter the market, allowing them to gain experience with transferring and converting digital assets.
Technically, there is a potential for passive earning in tap-to-earn games. Some games offer automated tools that allow users to automatically tap the screen for rewards without having to actually play the game, resembling something like a crypto faucet.
Of course, another benefit is simply in the entertainment value that comes from having fun playing some new video games.
Popular playing tap-to-earn games you should try
If you’re looking to try out a tap-to-earn game, we can recommend some to get you started.
1. Notcoin
Users can receive NOT tokens for playing the game and participating in Web3 projects and unlock higher tiers of NOT staking rewards as they reach new levels in the game.
2. Hamster Kombat
Hamster Kombat allows the player to start a new life as the CEO of a crypto exchange. And also as a hamster. Users earn HMSTR coins through tapping activities and can allocate funds to manage their own in-game crypto company!
3. Catizen AI
This game allows users to breed in-game cats, reminiscent of the Crypto Kitties game. Technically, Catizen AI is a play-to-airdrop game where users can earn airdropped tokens.
4. Yescoin
Yescoin users open a Telegram bot that allows them to swipe on-screen coins to receive real cryptocurrency rewards.
You can keep an eye on crypto.news social media for more updates on tap-to-earn games.
Common Myths and Misconceptions
While many doubt the legitimacy of tap-to-earn games, reputable games can have some earning potential. Notcoin, for example, allows players to unlock higher staking rewards for NOT as they progress through each level in the game. It’s always a good idea to assess whether a project’s staking rewards seem realistic and sustainable when getting involved as an end-user.
It’s also a misconception that all tap-to-earn games are unsafe to play. While security is a primary concern in the crypto space, particularly with newer, smaller projects with no track record, many tap-to-earn games are associated with larger and more reputable projects.
Users should always thoroughly research a crypto project and associated team before making an investment or using the project to store their funds. Check reviews online and news coverage of a game to mitigate the risk of falling prey to a scam.
How to get started with tap-to-earn games
Getting started with tap-to-earn games is simple.
1. Find and download games
Once you’ve selected a game, download it from the app store for your mobile device. Make sure that the app you’re downloading is the correct one, as it’s not uncommon in crypto for phishing scams to take place where fake apps are built to mimic popular apps. Check app store reviews and get your links from reputable sources.
2. Set up your profile and payment methods
Register an account and set up or link your crypto wallet, taking care not to expose money that you cannot afford to lose. All projects should be carefully researched, and users should make sure that the app they’re downloading is the correct app and not a phishing scam or fake app.
3. Tips for Beginners
Users looking to tap and earn crypto should focus on daily tasks and use referral programs or staking rewards to maximize their earnings. It may also be a good idea to stay consistent when trying to figure out how much a game pays us overtime in tap and earn rewards.
FAQs about tap-to-earn games
How much can I realistically earn?
Earnings are difficult to estimate. It’s common for tap-to-earn games to begin with attractive rewards to draw in more players and then gradually reduce the rewards. Some users report making $5 a month after daily gameplay, and rewards will typically be nominal. Users should not expect to earn a viable income from tap-to-earn games but rather to have fun playing some games while also generating small sums of crypto on the side.
Are these games safe to play?
These games are safe to play if you’ve taken care to research and select reputable projects while also protecting your personal financial data, such as wallet seed phrases. However, there is a risk of falling prey to a scam when downloading the wrong app by accident or simply an app that is new and not associated with a reputable team.
What payment methods are available?
Users can typically make transactions in tap-to-earn games with crypto as well as sometimes PayPal and bank card or bank transfer payments. When receiving payments, users will receive cryptocurrency.
Conclusion
Tap-to-earn games are a fascinating and nascent area of the growing GameFi sector, allowing users to earn crypto for playing simple, accessible mobile games. For the time being, these games are typically rudimentary and do not offer major rewards. However, the space is evolving every day, with developments being made to improve user experience as time goes on.
If you’re interested in trying these games out for yourself, start playing today and see how much you can earn!