Hamster Kombat: Iran's Latest Crypto Craze

The scene might resemble an apocalyptic vision or evoke the surreal narratives of Franz Kafka, particularly "The Metamorphosis."

In Iran, many citizens are using the Telegram messaging app, keeping a virtual hamster happy, and tapping their mobile phones to collect coins - an endeavour they hope might transform their lives.

What is Hamster Kombat?

Until a few weeks ago, Hamster Kombat was relatively unknown, but it has quickly become a hot topic among young people in Iran.

Some engage with it humorously, while others spend hours daily tapping their screens, seeking answers to their questions about the game.

Launched in March on Telegram, Hamster Kombat is a decentralized virtual environment that supports decentralized applications.

The game begins with a Telegram mini-application, allowing users to invite others to tap their mobile screens to collect coins and advertise it on their social media pages.

The game's creator aims to list these coins on cryptocurrency exchanges, like the popular Telegram game "NotCoin," with prices determined by supply and demand.

The game's formula for "profit in one hour" enables users to transfer or "airdrop" tokens and potentially convert them into real money.

Unanswered Questions and Concerns

Despite its popularity, Hamster Kombat remains shrouded in mystery. Alireza Manafi, an internet and digital security researcher in Toronto, said that many fundamental aspects of the game are unclear.

He points out several dark spots in the rise and fall of Hamster Kombat's popularity, which its creators have yet to address.

Unlike many established cryptocurrencies, Hamster Kombat does not have a white paper. A white paper is crucial as it provides detailed information about the cryptocurrency, including its technology, development plans, and the underlying company’s vision.

The absence of such a document indicates a lack of transparency and detailed planning.

The game does not provide clear information about its privacy policy. Users are left in the dark about what happens when they tap their phones—whether they are mining cryptocurrency, where their data goes, and the overall purpose of their actions.

With 100 million users within a few weeks, the game's rapid growth raises concerns about security and data privacy. Users and researchers alike are wary of potential risks associated with this sudden surge in popularity.

Manafi emphasizes the importance of these unanswered questions, stating that the game's lack of transparency and detailed information are significant red flags.

Users-Players Who Crossed the 100 Million Mark in Hamster Kombat

Less than a week ago, the number of users and players in Hamster Kombat was close to eight million. On June 4, this figure skyrocketed to 60 million, with 24 million active players.

By the end of June 5, the user count reached 78 million, finally hitting the 100 million mark in the final hours of June 6.

This exponential growth reflects the unprecedented popularity of this Telegram game.

Internet researcher Alireza Manafi attributes this surge to the lagging fever of NotCoin: "This happened when the NotCoin fever was high. Some people who felt they were missing out on NotCoin wanted to ensure they didn't miss out on Hamster Kombat, which they perceived as a second chance."

Manafi refers to NotCoin, a Telegram game coin, which started as a local "token" like Hamster Kombat's in-game currency.

With NotCoin's inclusion on exchange lists, its value began fluctuating alongside major cryptocurrencies.

As of the morning of Friday in Iran, NotCoin was valued at 21,000 of one Tether, equivalent to 1,237 Tomans, reflecting a decrease of about six per cent.

Alireza Manafi asserts that Hamster Kombat coins are distinct from cryptocurrencies, functioning solely as in-game tokens: "In principle, it should not be viewed as a cryptocurrency. As I said, it has its own token... it can only be used inside the program." He elaborates, "You can't sell it anywhere outside, you can only buy cards with it."

While users can transfer or airdrop coins, their unlisted status and uncertain value caution against investment: "We cannot say that its value is zero or 10 cents, there is no standard... it is not a correct action if someone is going to invest and use it as an asset."

Navigating the Hazards: Unraveling the Risks of Hamster Kombat

Manafi highlights the opacity surrounding the game's operations: "It is very new and it has been operating completely anonymously, and this has made a lot of information about it not available." He urges: "But people can at least recognize the risks and make decisions accordingly."

Security vulnerabilities extend to those who engage anonymously on social media platforms: "If someone is anonymous on Twitter and Instagram, if they want to share their link with others, their Telegram username is in that link and they are presenting their identity publicly on social media with both hands, and this can cause them to be identified."

"This is also a simple Telegram bot, and soon several similar examples that are not related to the main company may come up and start operating, taking users' information and infecting their phones." Manafi warns, "We don't have any information about them."

Reports indicate a surge in Iranian engagement with Hamster Kombat, although precise user demographics remain undisclosed.

The prevalence of Persian media coverage suggests significant traction within Iran, hinting at widespread adoption.

Mehrzad Boroujerdi, a political science professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, views the allure of cryptocurrencies and games like Hamster Kombat as universal. He notes a global desire for fast money, likening it to day trading in stock markets.

In light of Iran's economic struggles, Boroujerdi rationalizes the quest for supplementary income, likening it to "seeking additional employment opportunities such as becoming a driver."

While acknowledging societal factors influencing Iranians' reception, Boroujerdi underscores the impact of economic distress and the allure of swift financial gains.

Highlighting the role of virtual platforms in circumventing governmental control, Boroujerdi emphasizes the "appeal of unofficial channels for leisure and socialization."