By Key Points
- Hamster Network’s transaction volume has dropped 99.9% since launch.
- Once surpassing Solana, it now processes only 0.84 TPS.
- Hamster Kombat’s player base fell from 300M to 10.3M in weeks.
- Analysts blame the decline on fading airdrop incentives.
Hamster Network, a Layer-2 (L2) blockchain that once made headlines for outperforming Solana in transactions per second (TPS), is now facing a drastic drop in activity.
Launched in February 2025 as a gaming-focused blockchain, the platform initially saw rapid adoption, largely due to its integration with Hamster Kombat, a play-to-earn game within its “Hamsterverse” ecosystem.
🎇 We are excited to report on the launch of Hamster Network – the first-ever gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain built on TON!
🏎 @hmstrnetwork will provide blazing-fast and scalable infrastructure for demanding decentralized apps and games. Crucially, it will enable this at… pic.twitter.com/BsguLvuTdu
— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) February 25, 2025
At its peak, the Hamster Network hit 34,021 TPS—3.5 times higher than Solana. However, just two weeks later, the network is struggling, processing only 0.84 TPS with a daily transaction volume of just 52,516—a 99.9% collapse from its peak.
🚀 34,028 TPS achieved by Hamster Network!
That’s 3.5x faster than Solana! Big things are coming! Hamster Network is about to launch an accelerator program for builders to create truly decentralized applications—free from high gas fees and scalability issues.
Why Hamster… pic.twitter.com/pj9ZjKSOr1
— Hamster Kombat (@hamster_kombat) March 4, 2025
This downturn follows a broader trend in the crypto space, where projects that thrive on hype and incentives struggle to sustain long-term user engagement. Recently, the Bitcoin market also witnessed increased Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko, as investors panic-sold during its distribution phase. [Read more]
Airdrop Hype Fades, Engagement Drops
One of the major reasons behind this sudden decline appears to be the end of lucrative incentives. Many users were initially drawn to the network due to crypto airdrops, which fueled transaction surges. However, as rewards dwindled, so did user engagement. This trend has been evident across the crypto space, where airdrop losses have exceeded $5 billion due to geoblocking and other restrictions. [Learn more]
This is evident in Hamster Kombat’s player count. The game once boasted 300 million monthly users, but as of March 13, it has dropped to 10.3 million—a staggering loss of over 290 million players. Daily account creation has also nearly halted, with only 12 new accounts registered recently.
Hamster Kombat Accounts. Source: hamsterscan.io/accounts – Techtoken
The rise and fall of Hamster Network highlight the risks associated with play-to-earn (P2E) models. Similar to how traders have suffered sandwich attacks in the DeFi space, where bots manipulate transactions to exploit users, P2E games often see a sharp decline in engagement once financial incentives dry up. [See how traders lost funds]
Hamster Network TPS. Source: hamsterscan.io/transactions – Techtoken
Can Hamster Network Recover?
Despite the setbacks, Hamster Kombat’s developers remain optimistic. They claim that the L2 blockchain is still in its early stages and will undergo further testing to improve performance. However, the sharp drop in both transactions and player activity raises concerns about its long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, regulatory concerns continue to shake the crypto industry. Platforms like Hyperliquid have been under scrutiny for money laundering risks, highlighting the need for stronger compliance measures in blockchain projects. [Read more]
At the same time, Hamster Kombat’s native token, HMSTR, has also taken a hit, dropping 4% in the past 24 hours, now trading at $0.002144, according to CoinGecko.
Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) Price Performance. Source: CoinGecko – Techtoken
While the project once showed promise, the sudden decline serves as a cautionary tale for blockchain gaming—hype alone isn’t enough for long-term success.
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