Hamster Network: The First L2 on TON and a New Gaming Infrastructure
Hamster Network is the first Layer 2 (L2) network built on TON (The Open Network), designed to support Web3 applications and gaming platforms. Developed by the Hamster Kombat team in collaboration with TON developers, it provides infrastructure to speed up transactions, lower fees, and maintain compatibility with the main network.
By leveraging the TON Virtual Machine (TVM), Hamster Network supports existing smart contracts, making integration seamless for developers. All proof data is recorded on Layer 1, ensuring security and decentralization. This approach allows the TON ecosystem to scale, making Web3 applications more accessible and efficient for gaming and financial use cases.
What Are Layer 1 and Layer 2?
Blockchain networks process millions of transactions every second, requiring multiple layers to ensure speed, security, and efficiency.
- Layer 1 is the base layer of a blockchain, where transactions are validated, data is distributed across nodes, and network security is ensured. This is what makes blockchains decentralized and independent.
- Examples of Layer 1 blockchains: TON, Bitcoin, Ethereum.
One of the main challenges in Layer 1 networks is scalability—as the number of users increases, so does the network load, leading to slower transactions and higher fees.
This is where Layer 2 solutions come in. L2 networks handle a large portion of transactions off-chain before finalizing them on Layer 1. This significantly improves transaction speed and cost-efficiency, without compromising security or decentralization.
In TON’s case, Hamster Network as an L2 solution helps offload network congestion and enhances the efficiency of decentralized applications. It’s not just an additional layer—it’s a key infrastructure upgrade that expands the entire ecosystem and makes blockchain transactions viable for mass adoption.
Hamster Network Infrastructure
Wallet and Bridge
Hamster Network includes a dedicated crypto wallet, designed for secure and efficient management of digital assets within the network. It features an intuitive interface and supports a wide range of tokens running on Hamster Network.
Additionally, the network integrates a canonical bridge, enabling seamless asset transfers between Layer 2 (Hamster Network) and Layer 1 (TON). This bridge ensures fast and secure transactions, allowing users to move assets between layers without friction, improving flexibility and usability.
Decentralized Exchange (DEX)
Hamster Network features a built-in decentralized exchange (DEX), allowing users to instantly swap digital assets without relying on centralized services. This ensures transparent, secure transactions, while also reducing fees and improving transaction speed.
For DeFi developers, this integration provides new opportunities for building and launching financial applications, contributing to the growth of the TON ecosystem.
Telegram’s Role in the Launch of Hamster Network
Hamster Network is directly integrated into Telegram’s infrastructure, making Web3 applications more accessible within the existing ecosystem. This allows users to interact with blockchain services—such as decentralized wallets and transactions—without needing additional apps or technical setup.
By operating within Telegram, Hamster Network can scale rapidly, leveraging the platform’s existing user base rather than relying on new user acquisition. This makes blockchain technology easier to adopt and accelerates its mainstream implementation.
Hamster Boost: Community-Driven Testing for Hamster Network
Hamster Boost is an open testing initiative, allowing users to explore Hamster Network’s features while receiving rewards for participating in system checks. Developers have allocated 65,000 TON for seven categories of tasks, focusing on network stability testing and identifying vulnerabilities.
Participation does not require advanced technical skills—users can connect to the platform via a mini-app in Telegram and follow simple instructions. This lowers the barrier to entry and enables early detection of potential network issues.
Unlike traditional closed testing, which is conducted solely by developers, Hamster Boost ensures transparency and provides direct community feedback, helping refine the network before its full-scale rollout.
Hamster Kombat and Its Impact on the Project
Hamster Network is a direct evolution of Hamster Kombat, one of the most popular tap-to-earn games on Telegram. Launched in March 2024, the game quickly gained hundreds of millions of users. By the end of 2024, the team announced the second season and launched a DAO, where participants voted to create a new blockchain.
With the launch of Hamster Network, the ecosystem now has dedicated infrastructure for supporting gaming projects and decentralized applications beyond a single game. This unlocks new possibilities for expanding the GameFi sector within TON, creating long-term economic models that drive sustainable growth.
