A new trend has taken Nigeria by storm, as people of all ages tap on their phone screens in hopes of earning money through a popular clicker app, TapSwap.
The app has gained immense popularity, with users tapping repeatedly on an icon in the Telegram TapSwap bot to mine coins, leading to a nationwide phenomenon.
Viral videos have shown alarming instances of individuals obsessively tapping on their phones.
Why Are They Tapping?
Chi Ofoegbu, a freelance Product Marketing Manager for crypto projects and Web3 enthusiast, explained, “One of the biggest challenges Web3 and crypto have is onboarding new persons into the Web3 space.
“This tapping is basically how new people are onboarded in Web3.”
Web3, also known as Web 3.0, represents a new generation of the World Wide Web, characterized by decentralization, blockchain technology, and token-based economics.
Stephen Ajiboye, a Web3 educator and Digital Marketer for GeorgeneKoko, a crypto firm based in Akure, Ondo State, likened Web3 to the transformative impact of the dot-com boom in the late 1990s. “The normal internet we use now is referred to as Web2.
“For blockchain-based technology, it is referred to as Web3.
“Many believe that Web3 is the next big thing,” he said.
Ofoegbu elaborated on the tapping phenomenon, saying, “Most of the tapping involves inviting somebody and tapping on your screen.
“It is to get new users and see how much their system can take.
“It is rewarding people to invite others.”
Many Nigerians have profited from the Notcoin airdrop campaign by engaging in Telegram gaming activities, thereby increasing their crypto holdings.
As of May 20, 2024, Bitcoin.com reports that over 102 billion NOT tokens exist on the TON chain, valued at $0.00568 per unit, resulting in a market capitalization of $574 million. Miners received 78% of the total supply.
The Appeal of Clicker Apps
Ajiboye explained, “It’s an airdrop thing. Most projects in the crypto space build a community to amplify their project like a form of free marketing.
“The reward that they give back to the community is called an airdrop.”
Dailycoin, a cryptocurrency and blockchain news website, reports that simple crypto apps have attracted a substantial user base following the introduction of Telegram Mini Apps.
Clicker apps like Notcoin and TapSwap have gained immense popularity, with millions of users.
Notcoin, for instance, surpassed 35 million users just a few months after its official launch in January.
Ajiboye highlighted the impact of Notcoin’s success on TapSwap’s popularity.
“Notcoin used the same model of tapping.
“They mined for five months, and when they launched last week, people made money.
“I know people who made up to six figures.
“Tapswap has been up for more than a month and will stop mining on the 30th of this month.
“The frenzy of people making huge money from Notcoin has driven the popularity of TapSwap.”
The Role of Telegram
Ajiboye attributed TapSwap’s success to its platform.
“The reason I will attach to it is the platform they are using.
“Telegram is like WhatsApp.
“If you can use WhatsApp or Facebook, then you shouldn’t have issues using Telegram.
“There are apps that need you to sign in every day, answering quiz questions to accumulate points.
Compared to just tapping to get points, it’s much easier.”
Possibility of Earning Money
Ajiboye believes there is a high possibility of earning money from TapSwap.
However, he noted that the conversion rate could impact the final earnings.
“They will decide on the conversion rate before they launch, which will be used to allocate the token to participants.”
Ofoegbu is less optimistic, noting that not all airdrops are successful.
“People only tell you of airdrops that work.
“There are a lot that didn’t.
“The reward might not be much, and you might feel like you spent all your energy for little return.”
Crypto Education
Ajiboye emphasized the importance of promoting crypto education.
“Five out of ten participants might think if they could get money from just tapping, they should learn more about it.
“This widens the whole crypto education effort.”
When asked if he was “tapping,” Ajiboye replied, “I am tapping.
“I tap with my two phones.”
