IfIn the past few months, if you've seen friends frantically 'clicking' on their phone screens, don't doubt it; they are likely playing Notcoin.

What initially seemed like a joke, even somewhat boring, Telegram game ultimately evolved into a global social experiment involving tens of millions, and eventually launched on top exchanges like Binance, achieving an astonishing leap from 'air' to real money.

How did a game that was 'nothing' become popular?

Notcoin's starting point is simple to the extreme: open a small program in Telegram, with a coin icon in the center of the screen, and all you have to do is keep clicking it. That's it.

There are no complex game mechanics, no flashy graphics, and no upfront investment. It is precisely this 'zero-cost' and 'minimalist' model that lays the foundation for viral spread. Everyone joined with the mindset of 'since it doesn't cost money, why not click a bit.'

But what really made it explode is its roots in Telegram's social DNA. You can form squads, invite friends to join for extra rewards, and a global leaderboard stimulates players' competitive spirit. Suddenly, various crypto communities and friend groups were flooded with Notcoin's invitation links.

From games to shared SIM cards: What did Notcoin do right?

If it were merely a simple social game, Notcoin would at most be a phenomenon-level mini-game. But behind it, it accurately tapped into the core pulse of Web3.

First, it perfectly utilized the vast traffic pool of Telegram. Hundreds of millions of users can seamlessly participate without downloading a new app or registering a complex wallet, all within a familiar chat platform. This is the user entry point that Web3 projects dream of.

Secondly, the ambiguous 'endorsement' from the TON Foundation and Telegram's founder gave early players immense imaginative space. This implication of 'official backing' made everyone feel that this matter might be 'not simple.'

The most critical aspect is that it created a new form of 'consensus.' Those tens of millions who continuously clicked on the screen, their actions themselves constituted a form of 'Proof of Attention.' Everyone collectively invested time and effort, and this collective behavior itself condensed value. When one person says it's a joke, no one believes it; when ten million say it has value, it truly gains value.

Going live on Binance: A celebration of value for all.

When Notcoin announced it would launch on Binance, the entire market erupted. Those who were once mocked as 'tiny dot parties' became the envy of everyone overnight.

This is not just a simple token launch; it is also an affirmation of value for early participants and collective consensus. It proves to everyone that in the world of Web3, attention, community, and consensus can be transformed into tangible wealth.

What did Notcoin leave behind?

Notcoin's success completely ignited the 'Tap-to-Earn' sector, with various imitations emerging one after another. It acted like a key, opening the door from the Telegram ecosystem to Web3.

It may not be the most technically impressive project, but it is definitely one of the most successful cases in user education and mass adoption over the past year.

Of course, whether this model can be sustained, and whether later entrants can replicate its glory, remains to be seen. But in any case, Notcoin's story has become a legend — it is about a grassroots community movement, about how 'boring' behavior can condense into enormous energy, and also about how Web3 can intrude into the lives of ordinary people in the simplest and most brutal way.