TapSwap’s Shift to Tappy Town Raises Red Flags Amidst Ongoing Airdrop Failures: Is This a Scam from the Start?

TapSwap's New Game Launches Amidst Token Allocation Debacle

Months after the much-anticipated token allocation failed to materialise, TapSwap, a popular tap-to-earn app powered by the TON Blockchain, has unveiled a new game on its platform.

Despite the excitement surrounding the launch of "Tappy Town," the long-promised tokens remain unallocated.

This introduction follows the platform's earlier clarification that tokens would be allocated in the third quarter of the year, which began in July.

TapSwap's decision to introduce a new game while token distribution remains unresolved has stirred significant debate among its user base.

TapSwap’s new game, announced on its X account last Tuesday, invites users into the "World of Tappy Town."

The game promises fresh opportunities and challenges, with essential tips provided to help players navigate this new virtual environment.

The tips emphasise strategic building, managing builders, balancing resources, and maximising rewards, guiding players to effectively use the in-game currency, Shares, and Blocks.

The announcement advises:

Build Strategically: Use your Shares or Blocks (Tappy Town's in-game currency) to build and upgrade your buildings.

Manage Your Builders: Your builders define how many upgrades you can do simultaneously. Consider investing in more builders with Gems to keep your town growing.

The Airdrop Delay: A Persistent Issue

Despite the introduction of "Tappy Town," the long-awaited airdrop has yet to take place. TapSwap initially postponed the token allocation twice this year.

In June, John Robbin, TapSwap’s Head of Communications, announced that the token allocation had, initially planned for 30 May, been postponed during an AMA with TON on X Space.

Robbin mentioned:

"The token launch was postponed until July 1. The new date will be communicated."

He assured users that the platform was seeking the best methods to reward its community and had begun discussions with various exchanges and platforms.

The second postponement followed the July 1 deadline, which came and went without any updates.

The management clarified that the share-to-token exchange event, initially set for July, was pushed to the third quarter.

This decision was made to better serve the players and to refine the token allocation process. Robbin emphasised that "We will allocate a significant part of the tokens to the community to retain the tappers," reflecting the platform’s commitment to ensuring a fair distribution.

Why the Delay of TapSwap's Airdrop?

Since its launch in February 2024, TapSwap has attracted a staggering 67 million users and 18 million daily players.

Players eagerly await the release of the TAPS token, which is slated for a Token Generation Event (TGE) at the end of Q3 2024.

However, despite the excitement, the airdrop—a key feature of TapSwap’s distribution strategy — has yet to take place.

The nature of TapSwap's airdrop process reflects its massive user base.

Clicker projects like TapSwap typically follow an airdrop model where users accumulate in-game rewards with the expectation of converting these into project tokens once they’re officially released.

Yet, the sheer scale of TapSwap’s user base, akin to the population of France or approximately 0.8% of the global population, introduces complexities that are difficult to manage using standard distribution methods.

Complexity in Token Distribution

For a project as expansive as TapSwap, calculating token allocations is an intricate task.

The distribution process must account for various factors beyond the mere amount of in-game currency earned.

These include user engagement metrics like frequency of app check-ins, referral activities, and other engagement metrics.

When applied to millions of users, these calculations become a monumental challenge. This complexity is a primary reason for the delay in the TGE.

Unlike Hamster Kombat, which also faced delays despite initially announcing a July airdrop, TapSwap has not committed to a specific month but maintains that the TGE will occur within Q3 2024, covering August and September.

Learning from the Industry's Past Mistakes

The delay in TapSwap’s airdrop is part of a cautious approach.

The cryptocurrency industry has witnessed several hasty airdrops that led to user dissatisfaction due to poorly designed tokenomics.

TapSwap's strategy emphasises thorough planning to ensure a fair and well-considered token distribution. Recent updates from TapSwap indicate that their tokenomics are nearing completion.

The team is engaged in discussions with multiple exchanges, receiving positive feedback on their collaboration, and has assured the community that a substantial portion of the tokens will be allocated to users.

How Did TapSwap Respond?

TapSwap's update on X last week sheds light on the delay, explaining the concept of pre-market trading.

Situation: you are tapping for months, your friends & family doing the same and then you are seeing that token on the exchange.

BUT YOU STILL DON’T have airdrop?

The pre-market phase allows for early trading of new tokens before their official exchange listing, offering an opportunity for early investors to buy in before the token becomes widely available.

The pre-market phase presents both opportunities and risks.

It facilitates early investment and price discovery but can also lead to challenges due to lower liquidity.

In this phase, there are often fewer participants trading the token, which can make it harder to execute buy or sell orders quickly.

Orders may go unfilled if there aren't enough traders to match them at the desired price.

They provided an example – consider the hypothetical token $WHENTGE, which is about to be listed on a major exchange.

During the pre-market phase, you decide to buy $WHENTGE, anticipating a price increase post-listing.

However, the low trading volume means it takes longer to find a seller at your desired price, resulting in more volatile price movements.

Once $WHENTGE officially lists, the increased trading volume typically leads to more stable prices and easier transactions.

Ongoing Communication and User Concerns

Despite the delays, TapSwap continues to communicate actively with its users and potential partners.

The management is in discussions with tier-1 exchanges worldwide to secure favourable terms for listing the token and protect the game from potential scams and malicious actors in the Web3 industry.

However, players remain anxious and skeptical, given the repeated postponements and the absence of a definitive timeline for the airdrop.

The frustration among users is palpable.

Many have invested significant time and effort into the platform, tapping away on their phones with hopes of substantial rewards.

In some cases, users have expressed their anticipation to use their accumulated tokens for significant purchases, such as cars and houses.

Videos circulating online show Nigerian players, both young and old, obsessively tapping on their screens, reflecting their deep investment in the platform and their growing impatience with the delays.

Is TapSwap's Focus Shifting Away from Token Allocation?

TapSwap’s ongoing delays and the launch of "Tappy Town" might signal a deeper issue beyond mere operational hiccups.

The prolonged postponements and the absence of a concrete timeline for the airdrop raise critical questions about the platform’s priorities and the integrity of its commitments.

As the user base, which has invested immense time and expectation into the app, watches anxiously, the shift towards new game features could be interpreted as a diversion.

This strategy may not only exacerbate user frustration but also amplify suspicions of a potentially deceptive strategy from the outset.

In an industry where trust is paramount, such persistent uncertainties and shifting priorities could ultimately undermine the project’s credibility and long-term viability.

As the community waits, the stakes are higher than ever for TapSwap to prove that its ambitions are more than just smoke and mirrors.