TON-native communities aim to outrun memecoin burnout
A massive credibility gap continues to plague the crypto ecosystem, but key projects aim to change that. Countless tokens trade on animated logos, users evaporate once farm-and-dump yields dry up, and outsiders see only jargon. Three faults drive the malaise: projects list before offering real utility; growth depends on mercenary airdrop hunters who exit at vesting; and onboarding remains hostage to browser add-ons and seed-phrase angst.
Developers on TON network think the way out is culture tied to measurable outcomes and low-friction rituals. By wiring philanthropy and gaming directly into a token's core logic, they aim to convert short-term speculators into daily participants — and give critics a ledger of concrete results.
Two Telegram-born communities now headline that thesis. Each leverages the messenger's 900-million user base and its built-in TON wallet to cut setup time to seconds. Their performance offers an early look at whether virality plus onchain accountability can turn meme momentum into something that endures. Gamified onboarding at scale
Notcoin began in late 2023 as a Telegram Mini App where players tapped a coin icon for points. The loop was trivial yet addictive, spreading through chat leaderboards to tens of millions. When the team minted NOT as a real token, tap balances converted to assets tradable on Binance, OKX and regional exchanges.
Six million users claimed in the first 24 hours, pushing TON's daily active addresses to a record high. The original tap game has since developed into a set of narratives, including 'Not Games,' Telegram's version of Steam, with squads, achievements and tradeable items keeping wallets active long after the airdrop dust settled. Charity goes onchain
DOGS launched in August 2024 and, a month later, pushed 70% of supply into 17 million wallets via an airdrop. A grant treasury skims trading fees, merchandise receipts and NFT royalties, routing the funds to vetted nonprofits.
A late-November 2024 upgrade has raised the stakes: a public charity portal will redirect over 6 billion unclaimed DOGS — about $4.5 million — to vetted nonprofits, starting with a $150,000 commitment that covers a month of care for U.S. shelter dogs and supports Best Friends' push to achieve a nationwide 90% no-kill rate by 2025.
By July 2025, the wallet had dispatched more than $515,000 to animal shelters such as Best Friends Animal Society and child-aid groups, including World Child Cancer. Holders can actively participate in both voting on the next beneficiary as well as nominate their own smaller community projects, binding market activity to visible impact.
Together we lit up the sky
Together we will keep building 🦴 https://t.co/AdQu5xyukn pic.twitter.com/sYHUTTbrir
— Dogs Community 🦴 (@realDogsHouse) May 1, 2025
The cross-community momentum peaked at Token2049 Dubai, where 1,500 synchronized drones carved the TON logo, DOGS' digital keys and the Notcoin emblem into the night sky before morphing into a glowing bone and a giant 'TOKEN2049' — a 15-minute Guinness-certified performance that drew thousands to Madinat Jumeirah and broadcast Telegram's march toward one billion users. Sustaining attention beyond the pump
Speculation still drives price swings, but both projects attach reputation to more durable markers. DOGS holders track the grant wallet and post screenshots when fresh donations clear. Notcoin caps leaderboard scores with time-based multipliers, rewarding accounts that keep NOT in self-custody and keep playing. The feedback loops encourage repeat interaction instead of the usual pump-and-dump exit.
gm Bob, it's Notcoin pic.twitter.com/jBMnE1exYD
— Notcoin Ø (@thenotcoin) July 22, 2025
'DOGS isn't a meme; it's a movement,' said DOGS core contributor Andrew D. He explained that the team put the majority of supply in the community's hands, reached 17 million people with the airdrop and has turned culture into action with over $515,000 donated to real causes.
'DOGS NFT Stickers that fund community-chosen charities to builders weaving DOGS into everyday flows, we're proving a fun currency can do real good — and real volume,' Andrew added, summarizing:
'Notcoin sparked discovery; DOGS makes it stick. This is only chapter one — the future of consumer crypto runs with DOGS.'
DOGS pledged to donate six times more in 2025, expand partnerships, focus on Web2 partnerships and launch community-driven initiatives to amplify real-world impact. Notcoin, on the other hand, will open its arcade to outside builders and keep on adding benefits for long-term holders. Both teams treat Telegram chat as crypto's everyday entry point.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/ton-native-communities-aim-to-outrun-memecoin-burnout
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
Qatar weighs in on global tokenisation rules with new policy report
Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC's chief financial sector officer. (Image: Supplied) Qatar is setting its sights on becoming a key player in global tokenisation frameworks as the market heads towards a potential $16tn by 2030. The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) has unveiled a The projection for a $16tn market comes from Boston Consulting Group and ADDX, which estimate tokenisation could represent around 10 per cent of global GDP Drawing on insights from the inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable held in Doha alongside the Qatar Economic Forum earlier this year, the report, entitled The findings highlight five priorities: align cross‑border regulations, invest in core infrastructure, embed financial inclusion, coordinate AI‑blockchain governance and establish public‑private 'tokenisation labs' to validate real‑world use cases. 'Tokenisation can unlock real value by making assets more accessible and easier to transfer,' said Yousuf Mohamed Al‑Jaida, CEO of the QFC. 'To realise this potential, we need a clear system that combines robust regulation, secure custody and practical application. This will create a trusted environment that enables institutional adoption and drives sustainable market growth.' Pragmatism before perfection The report urges a measured, infrastructure‑first approach to tokenisation. 'Tokenisation must serve a purpose,' said Henk J. Hoogendoorn, QFC's chief financial sector officer. 'It should democratise access and create real‑world value. Qatar is committed to making tokenisation of real‑world assets a success.' Maha Al‑Saadi, head of regulatory Affairs at QFC and moderator of the roundtable, added: 'Regulatory clarity is not a luxury, it is a prerequisite for scalable tokenisation. Our goal is to bridge global standards with local implementation to ensure digital assets can operate within a trusted and secure environment.' Speakers at the Inaugural Digital Assets Policy Roundtable hosted by Qatar Financial Centre alongside Qatar Economic Forum. From Left: Patrick Tan (HELIX), Zane Suren (Zodia Custody), Shaun Swan (QFCRA), Mohammel Al-MXXX) Heinz Konzett (Lichtenstein), Henk J. Hoogendoorn (QFC), Arjun Vir Singh (ADL), Saloi Benbaha (XDC Network), Giovanni Everduin (CBI), Sandra Ro (GBBC), Jorge Carrassco (FTI), Tanvi Singh (GBBC), Michal Gromek (Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime), Maha Al-Saadi (QFC), Oscar Wendel (Global Stratalogues), Bashir Kazour (Taurus). Co‑author of the report and founder of Global Stratalogues, Oscar Wendel, said: 'This report distils the collective intelligence of global thought leaders, financial experts and regulators. It is designed to help lay the policy foundations for inclusive and interoperable digital asset markets worldwide.' Oscar Wendel, Founder & Chairman, Global Stratalogues and co-author of the report, closes the Inaugural Policy Roundtable in Doha. Regional momentum The Gulf is emerging as a testbed for tokenisation innovation. In Dubai, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has introduced a regulated framework for asset‑referenced virtual assets, enabling tokenised real estate offerings. One recent example saw In January, Dubai‑based The QFC's report, With a focus on clear rules, strong infrastructure and inclusion, Doha is making a play to turn tokenisation's promise into a lasting pillar of Gulf and global finance.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Code, coin and confidence: Can digital currency earn consumer trust?
Imagine a future where your paycheck arrives in your wallet before your coffee order finishes brewing, where remittances skip borders like emails, and where the value you hold isn't printed on paper but encrypted in trust. Welcome to the era where money loses its face but hopefully not your faith. In the UAE, a land of hyper-modern skylines and forward-thinking regulation, this future is quietly becoming the present. But even here, where the appetite for innovation is insatiable, digital currency isn't advancing without caution. The challenge isn't whether the technology works. It's whether people believe it will work for them. Let's dives deep into how fintech pioneers and visionaries are earning consumer confidence; not just with code, but with clarity, consistency, and community. The trust gap in a digital economy Ask any consumer what's stopping them from using crypto or blockchain-based payment systems, and you'll hear a common refrain: 'Is it safe?' According to Kamal Youssefi, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of The Hashgraph Group, 'UAE users are no different from global ones who store or utilise digital currencies. Their greatest concerns are security, safe custody, and asset volatility.' These are not merely abstract concerns. They're grounded in real-world risks - phishing scams, loss of private keys, price swings, and the perception that digital assets exist in an unregulated Wild West. To bridge this gap, The Hashgraph Association has launched several enterprise-grade applications aimed at mitigating these pain points. One such initiative is their partnership with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) on a Digital Assets Wills project. This platform allows users to manage and pass on digital assets - ranging from Bitcoin and Ethereum to NFTs - through a non-custodial, court-backed wallet, granting users both flexibility and security. The platform supports a variety of assets, including ETH, BTC, MATIC, USDC, USDT, and Hedera (HBAR), with plans to expand to NFT standards such as ERC-721, ERC-115, and Ordinals. According to Youssefi, 'Future enhancements will deepen user control and transparency, while maintaining ironclad safeguards for asset transfer.' In parallel, a partnership between The Hashgraph Association and Taurus is offering enhanced digital asset custody solutions. With staking, tokenisation, and regulatory-grade protection, such initiatives are setting new benchmarks in trust and credibility. Blockchain: Security by design Transparency has long been touted as blockchain's biggest value proposition - and for good reason. With every transaction verifiable and immutable, blockchain-based systems make fraud nearly impossible, provided best practices are followed. Youssefi points to Hedera's infrastructure as an example. 'Hedera processes over 10,000 transactions per second with three-second finality and an average cost of just $0.0001 - using far less energy than traditional blockchains. Every transaction is transparent and permanent.' This technical foundation is now fueling futuristic applications. Case in point: Hashgraph's investment in SEALCOIN, an IoT-focused platform enabling devices to conduct autonomous, verifiable transactions. 'In tomorrow's world,' Youssefi explains, 'devices will transact without humans. Blockchain ensures these exchanges remain secure and auditable.' This kind of trustless system, paradoxically, builds trust; particularly among enterprise and governmental stakeholders who require both scalability and accountability. Blockchain also enhances traceability, a critical factor in sectors like supply chain, healthcare, and environmental governance. When every data point is timestamped and tamper-proof, organisations are more likely to integrate blockchain into core operations - an evolution that boosts consumer confidence indirectly. Tokenisation: Making the intangible tangible Another powerful tool in the trust arsenal is tokenisation - the conversion of real-world assets into digital tokens on the blockchain. From real estate and bonds to art and intellectual property, tokenisation enables fractional ownership, faster transfers, and simplified access. 'The future of fintech lies in the tokenisation of financial products,' says Youssefi. 'It's not just about efficiency - it's about making investments accessible, traceable, and trustworthy.' One of Hashgraph's standout projects is the tokenisation of Sukuk, Islamic financial certificates akin to bonds. The project's goal is to bring Shariah-compliant investments onto the blockchain, opening them up to a global Muslim investor base. Additional projects in carbon credit and real-world asset tokenisation are also in development. For consumers, these innovations offer a more transparent financial experience - where every token has a trail, and every transaction a timestamp. It also simplifies compliance and auditability, making digital assets more appealing to institutional investors. Tokenisation also has the potential to bring liquidity to traditionally illiquid markets. Properties, antiques, or even music royalties can be broken into digital shares, traded seamlessly, and accessed globally - a revolution in asset democratisation. Code without a face: Can you trust it? In traditional finance, currencies bear the faces of presidents and monarchs - symbols of state-backed stability. But what does trust look like when your money has no face? 'The face of trust on a currency is a symbol of common belief in value,' Youssefi says. 'In the age of crypto, the face is no longer a person - it's the protocol.' This sentiment is echoed by Talal Tabbaa, CEO of CoinMENA, a UAE-licensed crypto exchange. 'Trust in Bitcoin comes from transparency and code - not from central banks or printed faces. Bitcoin runs on rules, not rulers.' CoinMENA's formula for earning consumer confidence? Licensing, transparency, and time. 'Consistent delivery of top-tier service and education builds organic, word-of-mouth trust,' says Tabbaa. This principle - trust in the protocol - underscores a major shift in financial culture. In decentralised systems, assurance comes from open-source code, verifiable consensus, and public ledgers. The role of intermediaries diminishes, and power returns to the individual user. Decoding UAE's appetite for crypto According to the 2024 Chainalysis report, over 34 per cent of UAE citizens now hold digital assets - a sharp contrast to the global average of just four per cent. This surge is directly tied to the UAE's regulatory foresight. 'Mass adoption of digital currencies will only follow the establishment of trust frameworks,' says Youssefi. 'The UAE has taken a global leadership role in regulating this space, creating fertile ground for innovation and adoption.' The UAE's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) has rolled out detailed guidelines for exchanges, custodians, and token issuers. This proactive approach balances consumer protection with room for innovation; creating a sandbox for secure experimentation. For users, that trust is multi-layered. It's about knowing their platform is licensed. It's about believing that, even in volatility, systems are in place to protect their interests. Regulatory clarity, in turn, attracts international players and investment. From speculation to application Is crypto still a speculative asset, or has it become a utility? For Tabbaa, the answer is both. 'Some buy Bitcoin to hedge inflation, others use stablecoins for B2B transfers. And yes, some are still chasing memecoins. The use-cases are evolving.' But increasingly, practical utility is emerging - especially in remittances and merchant payments. That's where companies like Bitget come in. According to Vugar Usi Zade, Chief Operating Officer of Bitget, 'We're witnessing a shift. In the UAE, where digital literacy is high, crypto is being used for more than speculation. It's being integrated into e-commerce, cross-border payments, and everyday transactions.' Platforms like PayFi, which bridge Web2 and Web3 ecosystems, are making blockchain benefits accessible to users without technical know-how. Integration into point-of-sale systems, payroll, and government disbursements may be next. As utility deepens, volatility becomes a smaller piece of the picture. Building credibility brick by brick In an industry known for flash and volatility, how do you build long-term credibility? For Bitget, the answer lies in radical transparency. 'We were among the first to implement real-time Proof of Reserves - users can verify, at any time, that their assets are fully backed,' says Zade. The company has also launched a $300 million Protection Fund, acting as a user safety net. 'These aren't marketing gimmicks,' Zade insists. 'They're infrastructure-level assurances.' Education is another pillar. 'In this space, self-responsibility is key. We focus on making users aware of scams, phishing, and safe wallet practices.' Partnerships with cybersecurity firms and constant audits further reinforce user confidence. As regulatory expectations rise, only platforms committed to full compliance will thrive. In a digital world where a wrong click can mean irreversible loss, these preventive steps go a long way in building - and sustaining - trust. A new financial order built on code We are on the cusp of a financial transformation. Digital assets are evolving from speculative tools to foundational pillars of tomorrow's economy. But for that transformation to be complete, fintechs must continue investing in infrastructure that's not just scalable, but scrupulous. Regulation must keep pace with innovation. And above all, the conversation around trust must be as dynamic as the technologies it underpins. As Zade puts it, 'Credibility isn't declared; it's proven. And platforms that prioritise transparency over hype will win the long game.' The financial institutions of the future may not have grand lobbies or bank tellers but they'll have lines of code and transparent protocols working at the speed of trust. Rewriting the ledger of trust There was a time when trust was carved in stone, stamped in wax, or printed on banknotes bearing royal signatures. But in this era of digital flows and decentralised networks, trust is becoming invisible, yet no less powerful. The UAE's fintech revolution is not about replacing money with code. It's about replacing uncertainty with confidence - built not on blind faith, but on cryptographic proof, transparent systems, and shared belief in a better financial future. So, can a currency with no face earn your trust? Maybe not overnight. But block by block, byte by byte, and choice by choice, the future of money is earning more than just value, it's earning something far rarer in today's digital age: credibility. Digital currency doesn't just ask you to rethink money. It asks you to rethink who you trust and why. Not a face. Not a building. But a line of code. A timestamp. A consensus. In the UAE, fintech isn't waiting for trust to appear. It's architecting it, line by line, law by law. From high-rise regulators to hashgraph innovators, the movement isn't about hyp. Because the future of finance isn't faceless. It's fearless. And it's already here wallet-ready and waiting. And in this new economy, that might just be the most valuable currency of all.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
BitHash accelerates global mining expansion with major infrastructure projects in the UAE, US
In a strategic move to meet rising institutional demand for crypto mining infrastructure, BitHash has announced a major global expansion, unveiling new high-capacity CAPEX sites in both the UAE and the US. The company, headquartered in Dubai, is now positioning itself as a key infrastructure enabler in the fast-evolving blockchain economy. This announcement marks a milestone in BitHash's roadmap to build scalable and sustainable mining ecosystems powered by compliant, high-efficiency technology. In the UAE, BitHash has established four dedicated Bitcoin mining sites with capacities of 1.5MW, 6MW, 10MW, and 48MW, respectively. These facilities are strategically located to serve the region's growing appetite for digital asset infrastructure and to support investors seeking secure, full-service mining environments. The sites are engineered to deliver high operational performance, optimised power use, and seamless enterprise deployment in one of the world's most innovation-friendly economies. Simultaneously, BitHash is rolling out two large-scale turnkey mining facilities in the United States, offering 10MW and 20MW capacities. These plug-and-play operations are designed to allow companies to commence mining almost instantly — a critical advantage in the competitive world of Bitcoin mining. Significantly, BitHash's US infrastructure is being bolstered by the development of a 3.4GW solar-powered project, one of the largest renewable-energy-backed crypto mining initiatives announced to date. This commitment to green energy underlines the company's ambition to reduce environmental impact while supporting the scalability of Web3 and blockchain ecosystems globally. Speaking on the expansion, Abdulaziz Osman, founder and CEO of BitHash, said: 'Our dual expansion into the UAE and USA reflects the growing demand for compliant, energy-efficient, and high-powered mining infrastructure. These aren't just sites — they're ecosystems built to power the future of crypto innovation at scale.' BitHash's CAPEX model offers institutional clients a wide range of integrated services, from setup and security to ongoing operational support and energy optimisation. For businesses looking to establish or grow mining operations with minimal risk and maximum efficiency, these projects provide a comprehensive infrastructure solution. Having built its reputation on reliability, transparency, and forward-thinking solutions, BitHash's latest move strengthens the UAE's position as a regional hub for crypto infrastructure while expanding its presence in the North American market, both crucial in shaping the future of decentralised finance.
