Nigerians Rush to TapSwap After Success with Notcoin
The success of Notcoin has inspired many to seek similar achievements on another Telegram’s tapping app, hoping to earn substantial amounts through tapping.
A recent trend in Nigeria highlights the excitement surrounding "TapSwap," a new project similar to "Notcoin." Notcoin gained significant popularity earlier this year for its gamified approach to cryptocurrency mining, allowing users to earn tokens by simply tapping on their phone screens.
Many Nigerians, including a man named Gentle Boi, reported financial success with Notcoin.
Gentle Boi, in a TikTok video, shared his experience of earning $260 (around N381,000) from Notcoin.
This success story fueled his enthusiasm for TapSwap, where he's currently accumulating over 15 million coins and shows no signs of stopping.
He even used his Notcoin earnings to purchase a new Samsung phone. However, Gentle Boi remains tight-lipped about the exact number of Notcoin tokens he mined to reach his financial gain, only revealing it was 30 million.
Not Everyone Sold on TapSwap's Potential
While Nigerians are actively participating in TapSwap, cryptocurrency experts warn of potential pitfalls.
Fidelis Ozuawala, a cryptocurrency expert, cautions that users relying on automated clicker apps to inflate their earnings might get caught and disqualified, similar to what happened with Notcoin.
Even for legitimate users, the future value of TapSwap coins remains uncertain.
Ozuawala suggests that while everyone might see some return upon the project launching on an exchange, the actual value could be significantly lower than what users are anticipating.
Social Media Buzz Surrounds TapSwap Earnings
Gentle Boi's story isn't unique. Social media is abuzz with similar experiences. Comments on his video reveal others who profited from Notcoin, with some even purchasing new phones with their earnings.
The success stories are further amplified by another Nigerian youth who proudly showcased an air conditioner he bought using his Notcoin gains, encouraging others to participate in TapSwap mining.
Nigerian Man Earns Billions on TapSwap, Raises Social Media Questions
A Nigerian man, szymanski, has gone viral on TikTok after revealing he has earned a staggering 6.1 billion coins on TapSwap.
The man's video, which showed him driving while tapping away at the app, has sparked a debate about the legitimacy of TapSwap and the possibility of earning significant amounts of money through the platform.
Concerns about legitimacy and earning potential
Many social media users expressed skepticism about the man's claims. Some, like Nazzy, questioned the validity of the earnings, suggesting the figure might be edited since the user hadn't reached a higher level within the app.
Others, like ABWHITE, voiced concerns about the platform's ability to pay out such a large sum. User experiences shared in the comments further fueled these doubts.
heis_special⛏️ reported having their account deleted despite having a much smaller amount (21 million coins).
therealsweeper4you encountered issues transferring their earnings to their Phantom wallet.
Counterarguments and alternative explanations
Despite the scepticism, some users defended the possibility of earning substantial amounts on TapSwap. Krisz suggested that the man might have accumulated a large number of referrals through invites, potentially inflating his earnings.
Ikedi offered a different explanation, theorising the user might have employed a VPN to manipulate the app's tasks and boost their coin collection, although he warned that this could lead to getting blocked by the platform.
The involvement of a fake EFCC, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, added another layer of intrigue. Their comment jokingly threatened the user, stating they would be flagged if the platform actually paid out the massive sum.
Tapping Out of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Another TikTok user, Ose Sweet, shared her experience and motivations for joining TapSwap.
She mentioned regretting missing out on Notcoin and expressed her hope to benefit financially from TapSwap if it follows a similar path.
Sweet acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding TapSwap's legitimacy but highlights Notcoin's success story as a potential precedent.
Notcoin's Success Fuels Optimism
Bright Ibaa, a self-described "long-time crypto enthusiast," adds weight to the positive sentiment. Ibaa claims to have earned money from Notcoin and believes TapSwap operates similarly.
He explains the concept of "airdrops," where users participate in tasks to potentially gain cryptocurrency upon a project's listing on a crypto exchange.
According to Ibaa, the more a user taps within TapSwap, the more they stand to earn once the app launches its token.
He emphasises the legitimacy of the app, citing his personal experience with Notcoin. While declining to disclose his earnings, Ibaa portrays TapSwap as a potentially lucrative opportunity, but stresses participation is voluntary.
Is TapSwap Coin Mining a Waste of Time?
A Nigerian man, Ayegba Moses, believes mining coins on TapSwap is a waste of time.
His primary argument hinges on the idea of saturation. Since everyone knows about TapSwap and is participating, the rewards will be spread far too thin for anyone to make significant money.
In his Facebook post, he emphasises that unlike Notcoin, a similar project that some users profited from, TapSwap won't be another goldmine.
According to Moses, it's unrealistic to expect everyone to "leave the trenches" at once through TapSwap.
He also feels there won't be another Notcoin and that Tapswap is different.
However, not everyone agrees with this pessimistic outlook.
Ozuwala countered Moses' claims, suggesting they lack any factual basis. Ozuwala likely represents a viewpoint where some see potential in TapSwap despite the high participation.
Some Nigerians on Facebook are undeterred by Moses' warnings. They say they will continue mining on TapSwap, hoping to benefit if it becomes successful.
Not Everyone Will Earn from TapSwap Mining in Nigeria
Many Nigerians are hoping to make a profit when it launches, but some experts warn that not everyone will be successful.
Another Nigerian man, Michael John, raised concerns on Facebook that many people are jumping into TapSwap with little to no experience with crypto wallets or generating wallet addresses.
He fears that when these newcomers inevitably fail to earn anything, they'll turn around and label cryptocurrency a scam.
John blames the success of the recent Notcoin launch for this influx of inexperienced crypto enthusiasts. He believes many were swept up in the hype without fully understanding the underlying technology.
Pitfalls for TapSwap Miners
Crypto expert Obani Ebenezer Nwokoma offered some advice to help TapSwap miners avoid pitfalls. He warned against using external auto-clickers, programs downloaded from app stores that automate the tapping process.
During the Notcoin evaluation process, Nwokoma explains, the system flagged irregular clicking patterns and disqualified users suspected of using bots. These users were seen as robots, not legitimate participants, and didn't receive any coins.
Nwokoma acknowledges that TapSwap has its own built-in bots that help users click in their absence. However, he advises against using any external clickers as their functionality within TapSwap remains unclear.
Skepticism and Calls for Moderation
The warnings haven't been met with universal acceptance. Some Nigerians, like Rosemary Ogbonna, seem dismissive, while others like Maryjane Nancy express frustration with those unwilling to learn the proper way to participate.
There's also concern that TapSwap itself might be banned due to Nigerians' aggressive mining tactics could lead to TapSwap being shut down.
One user, @heisdera._, expressed worry after witnessing someone using all ten fingers to mine on Telegram. They urged for moderation to ensure everyone can benefit when TapSwap launches.
Concerns and Unknowns Remain
Despite the anecdotal success stories and enthusiastic user base, questions linger regarding TapSwap's long-term viability.
The lack of clear information about the development team behind the app and the mechanics of earning raise concerns. Additionally, the value and future listing of the TapSwap token remain uncertain.
TapSwap Downtime Due to Heavy Traffic
Recently, TapSwap appeared to be experiencing technical difficulties. According to online reports, TapSwap underwent maintenance after encountering a malfunction caused by excessive user traffic.
Screenshots shared by affected users show notifications from TapSwap explaining the breakdown and the ongoing maintenance process.
The outage has sparked frustration among users, with some taking to social media to express their discontent.
One user, Jessicalevi13, commented on the situation with a sarcastic remark:
"TapSwap server [is] always going down, lol. The only thing I see is Tears Loading."
Another user, CryptoDefiLord, called for the platform to improve its infrastructure in order to handle the increasing user base.
"With the large numbers of people coming into #TAPSWAP every day, the team should be adding more servers to accommodate all these people. @tapswapai is the leading tap tap token on Telegram and shouldn't be having such problems."
The comments section also revealed a possible source of the increased traffic. User connectwithtola attributed the surge in users to Nigerians joining the platform, crediting them for taking "TapSwap mainstream."
"I hope other projects are ready for us? We have so many powers to unleash heavily." said connectwithtola.
Was this due to weak infrastructure or truly due to overwhelming response?
Nigerians on the Tap
This tapping game has seen a recent urge in Nigeria to have people glued to their phones. Nigerians of all ages are tapping away in hopes of striking digital gold.
Users tirelessly tap a central icon to "mine" Tap tokens, a process similar to acquiring cryptocurrency through solving complex mathematical problems on powerful computers.
Why the Taps?
This tapping frenzy can be traced back to the success of another crypto mining app, Notcoin.
Launched in January 2024, Notcoin offered a similar clicker system that rewarded users with NOT tokens. The app's popularity exploded, with over 35 million users joining within a few months.
Importantly, for many Nigerians, Notcoin wasn't just a game - it was a path to real financial gain.
Reports indicate users who diligently "mined" NOT tokens cashed out significantly, with some earning upwards of $1,000.
Social Proof Fuels TapSwap Frenzy
The success stories surrounding Notcoin generated a powerful force - social proof. As news of Nigerians profiting from phone tapping spread, others were quick to jump on board.
TapSwap, capitalising on this momentum, offered a seemingly effortless entry point into the world of crypto. Unlike some mining processes that require specialised hardware, TapSwap could be accessed directly through the familiar Telegram platform.
This ease of use, coupled with the allure of replicating Notcoin's success, propelled TapSwap to gather a staggering 17 million users in a short period.
Web3 and Onboarding the Masses
While the immediate incentive for many Nigerians is financial gain, there's a potentially bigger picture at play.
This wave of app-based crypto mining can be seen as an entry point into the broader world of Web3, a new iteration of the internet characterised by decentralisation and blockchain technology.
Experts point out that these clicker apps serve as a low-barrier introduction to Web3 concepts.
By participating in these "tap-to-earn" schemes, users are unknowingly engaging with core Web3 mechanics like token-based economies.
Will the Taps Pay Off? Uncertainty Shrouds Rewards
The question of whether Nigerians tapping away at their phones will be rewarded remains unanswered.
While TapSwap promises token distribution after mining ends on 30 May 2024, the conversion rate between taps and actual Tap tokens is unknown.
This lack of transparency creates uncertainty about the potential value of accumulated points. Additionally, concerns exist regarding the sheer number of users vying for a share of the rewards.
Unlike Notcoin's earlier launch, TapSwap faces a far more crowded field, potentially diminishing the individual payout for each participant.
A Silver Lining in the Tapping Frenzy
Despite the unknowns surrounding TapSwap's profitability, there might be a positive consequence to this nationwide tapping spree.
Experts believe the surge in interest, fueled by the desire for financial gain, could inadvertently lead to increased crypto education.
As Nigerians delve deeper to understand the mechanics behind these "tap-to-earn" apps, they might find themselves drawn into the broader world of cryptocurrency and Web3.
This organic curiosity, sparked by the initial lure of easy money, could pave the way for a more informed and engaged Nigerian crypto community.
Uncertain outcome and lingering questions
Left with many unanswered questions, the success of Notcoin has sparked curiosity about TapSwap's potential for substantial earnings.
Can TapSwap truly generate such substantial earnings?
Is the platform a legitimate way to earn cryptocurrency, or is it prone to manipulation and disappointment?
Dominic Omovigho Wisdom's comment on szymanski’s Tiktok video captured the platform's unpredictable nature, highlighting how earnings could fluctuate wildly with no clear explanation.
While some users, like Ibaa and Sweet, express optimism based on their experiences with similar projects, TapSwap's legitimacy will ultimately depend on its ability to deliver on its promises and establish itself within the cryptocurrency landscape.