Deep Dive
1. Top Telegram Game in January 2026 (13 January 2026)
Overview: An industry roundup by AMBCrypto identified Catizen as one of the top 12 Telegram games gaining traction in early 2026. The article characterizes it as a free pet simulation where players earn CATI tokens by expanding a cat colony, noting the tokens have in-game utility and future exchange potential. This placement alongside established names like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat underscores its lasting presence in a competitive niche.
What this means: This is neutral to slightly bullish for CATI because it indicates the project has maintained relevance beyond its initial hype cycle. Continued inclusion in such lists can support user acquisition, but the impact on the token’s price depends on converting that engagement into sustained economic activity within its ecosystem. (AMBCrypto)
2. Launch of World’s First VWA Game (14 October 2025)
Overview: Catizen launched version 2.0, branding it the world’s first Virtual World Asset (VWA) game. This upgrade focuses on giving players verifiable, on-chain ownership of in-game items as NFTs, with payments available in USDT, TON, or CATI. The announcement highlighted the project’s scale, with over 63.4 million users and a history of token buybacks and airdrops to support its economy.
What this means: This is fundamentally bullish for CATI as it represents a pivot from simple play-to-earn mechanics to a more sustainable model based on digital asset ownership. By making CATI a payment option and embedding it deeper into the game’s economy, the project aims to increase the token’s utility and demand, though successful execution is key. (The Block)
3. Ecosystem Growth & Animoca Investment (14 August 2025)
Overview: In a mid-year update, the Catizen team reported significant growth, with its Game Center expanding to 30 titles and over 50 million CATI consumed. A key development was securing an investment from Animoca Brands, a major player in blockchain gaming. The roadmap outlined plans for a dedicated TON Layer 2 blockchain (Catizen Chain) and a quarterly airdrop of 10 million CATI to active players.
What this means: This is bullish for CATI as it validates the project’s vision with institutional backing from Animoca Brands. The expansion into a multi-game platform and the development of its own L2 blockchain suggest a long-term strategy to become a hub for on-chain gaming, which could drive future demand for the CATI token across a broader ecosystem. (Catizen)
Conclusion
Catizen’s latest news paints a picture of a project maturing from a single game into an ambitious gaming platform, backed by notable investment and a focus on asset ownership. Will its technical evolution into a VWA and L2 ecosystem successfully translate its massive user base into sustained token utility?