The highly anticipated launch of CATI, the native token of the Telegram-based tap-to-earn game Catizen, has officially gone live for trading across major cryptocurrency exchanges. With an initial circulating supply of 150 million tokens—representing 15% of the total 1 billion CATI cap—the rollout marks a pivotal milestone for the rapidly growing Web3 gaming ecosystem on Telegram.
Backed by Pluto Studio, the development team behind Catizen, the token launch was accompanied by a community airdrop as part of Season 1 rewards. However, what was meant to be a celebratory moment quickly turned contentious, as top-performing players voiced strong dissatisfaction over perceived inequities in distribution.
CATI Token Goes Live on Major Exchanges
CATI is now actively traded on leading platforms including Binance, Bybit, and Bitget, following the completion of deposit registrations for non-custodial wallets. Users who participated in Catizen’s gameplay during the qualifying period were eligible to receive tokens based on their in-game activity.
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The initial airdrop forms part of a broader allocation plan totaling 340 million CATI tokens, with the remaining 190 million reserved for future quarterly campaigns aimed at sustaining long-term player engagement. This phased release strategy aligns with broader trends in play-to-earn (P2E) ecosystems, where gradual token distribution helps stabilize market dynamics and reduce sell pressure.
Airdrop Controversy: Fairness in Question
Despite the excitement surrounding the token launch, a wave of backlash emerged from dedicated members of the Catizen community. Many high-ranking players—who invested significant time and effort into climbing leaderboards—reported receiving disproportionately small token allocations.
Adding fuel to the fire, 9% of the originally promised community supply was redirected to Binance Launchpool just before the token generation event. While such partnerships can boost visibility and liquidity, they also dilute direct rewards for grassroots contributors, leading to accusations of favoring exchange promotions over loyal users.
More troubling to some was the apparent inversion of reward logic: certain lower-level players received larger payouts than top performers. This has sparked widespread debate about the transparency, eligibility criteria, and algorithmic fairness behind the airdrop mechanics.
"We poured hours every day into leveling up, only to get less than casual players. This feels like a betrayal of the core community," one top-100 player commented on social media.
Such sentiments reflect a growing concern across Web3 gaming: how to balance marketing-driven growth with equitable recognition for early adopters and active participants.
Transparent Tokenomics: Allocation and Vesting Schedule
To address broader questions about long-term value and supply management, Catizen has outlined a detailed token distribution framework:
- Community & Ecosystem (34%): Includes airdrops, staking rewards, and seasonal campaigns.
- Team (20%): Subject to a 12-month cliff with linear vesting thereafter.
- Investors (10%): Also features a 12-month lock-up period.
- Treasury (15%): Reserved for future development and ecosystem funding.
- Advisors (7%): Allocated with standard vesting terms.
- Liquidity (5%): Ensures stable market operations post-launch.
- Binance Launchpool (9%): A recent addition that shifted portions from initial community estimates.
This structure emphasizes sustainability, but the last-minute reallocation underscores the tension between strategic partnerships and community expectations.
The Rise of Telegram Mini Apps in Web3 Gaming
Catizen operates within Telegram’s expanding ecosystem of mini apps—lightweight, web-based applications accessible directly through the messaging platform. These apps require no downloads and offer seamless user experiences, making them ideal for mass-market adoption.
In July, Telegram launched an official mini-app store and integrated an in-app browser supporting Web3 pages, signaling strong institutional support for decentralized applications. With over 900 million active users globally, Telegram provides fertile ground for viral growth—especially for games leveraging gamified earning models.
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Games like Catizen exemplify this trend: simple mechanics, instant access, and tangible crypto rewards combine to create compelling user loops. As more developers build on this infrastructure, we’re likely to see increased innovation in token utility, cross-app interoperability, and social monetization.
Core Keywords Driving Visibility
To enhance search visibility and align with user intent, key phrases naturally integrated throughout this coverage include:
- CATI token launch
- Catizen airdrop controversy
- Telegram mini app games
- Web3 gaming tokens
- play-to-earn crypto
- CATI tokenomics
- blockchain gaming on Telegram
- crypto airdrop fairness
These terms reflect both trending queries and enduring interest in decentralized gaming economies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did some low-level players receive more CATI tokens than top players?
The exact algorithm used for distribution hasn’t been fully disclosed, but early analysis suggests weighting factors beyond leaderboard rank—such as daily login consistency, referral activity, or engagement metrics—may have played a larger role than expected. This lack of clarity has fueled skepticism about fairness.
Is CATI available for trading now?
Yes. CATI is live on Binance, Bybit, and Bitget. Users who qualified for the airdrop can trade or stake their tokens following deposit confirmation.
How many CATI tokens will be released over time?
Of the total 1 billion supply, only 150 million are initially circulating. Additional tokens will be released through quarterly airdrops, staking rewards, and linear vesting schedules for team and investor allocations.
What is the purpose of the CATI token?
CATI serves as the primary utility token within Catizen, enabling features like staking, in-game upgrades, governance participation (planned), and access to exclusive events.
Will there be another airdrop?
Yes. The remaining 190 million tokens from the community allocation are designated for future seasonal campaigns, ensuring ongoing opportunities for player rewards.
How can I verify my eligibility for future distributions?
Eligibility is tied to verified gameplay activity within the Catizen app on Telegram. Regular participation, mission completion, and consistent engagement increase chances of qualifying for upcoming drops.
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Final Thoughts: Balancing Growth and Trust
The launch of CATI represents both a triumph and a test for Catizen. On one hand, listing on top-tier exchanges brings legitimacy and exposure. On the other, mishandling community expectations risks eroding trust among its most valuable advocates—its players.
For Web3 projects aiming for longevity, transparent communication and fair reward systems aren’t optional—they’re foundational. As the dust settles, Catizen’s response to feedback will be critical in determining whether it evolves into a sustainable ecosystem or becomes another cautionary tale of misaligned incentives.
With Telegram’s mini app platform gaining momentum and user interest in play-to-earn models showing no signs of slowing, the stage is set for innovation. But success will belong to those who prioritize community first—not just during launches, but through every phase of growth.