How does the Paws Telegram Mini App actually work?

Paws has a simplified interactive interface that allows users to earn points and stay involved in its gamified engagement economy.

Once you launch the Mini App via its official Telegram bot, you’re welcomed into a digital world that rewards you for social activity. You’re not mining crypto, solving puzzles or trading tokens — you’re completing micro-tasks like tapping virtual objects, joining Telegram channels, referring friends or answering simple quizzes.

Every action earns you points, which are later converted into PAWS tokens. These tokens can then be staked, used in Paws’ upcoming in-app economy, or possibly traded depending on future listings. The simplicity is what makes it addictive, and the referral model makes it viral.

And here’s the kicker: You don’t even need a separate wallet app. The Paws Mini App syncs with existing wallets like Phantom on Solana or Telegram-native wallets (TON-based). It’s designed for ease, especially for people new to crypto.

Why Paws migrated to Solana and why it matters

At first, Paws ran on TON, but in a move that surprised some and excited others, Paws announced a major shift to Solana in early 2025.

In early 2025, Telegram introduced a policy mandating that all Mini Apps and third-party crypto wallets on its platform exclusively operate on TON. This move forced projects like Paws to choose between remaining confined to TON or migrating to a different blockchain.

Paws opted to migrate to Solana, a decision that has had significant implications:​

• User base migration: Over 80 million Paws users transitioned to Solana, leading to more than 9 million downloads of the Phantom crypto wallet and the creation of over 1 million new Solana addresses. 
• NFT integration: PAWS introduced non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers on the Solana-based marketplace Magic Eden, resulting in over 100,000 transactions within two weeks.
• Ecosystem expansion: The migration has allowed Paws to evolve from a viral Telegram application into a full-fledged Web3 brand, with plans to integrate DeFi features, gaming partnerships and social engagement tools.

This strategic move not only circumvented Telegram’s restrictive policies but also positioned Paws to leverage Solana’s scalability and active DeFi ecosystem, paving the way for broader adoption and innovation.

Did you know? The migration to Solana led to over 9 million new downloads of Phantom Wallet, with more than 1 million fresh Solana addresses created by Paws users. That’s one of the biggest onboarding waves in Solana’s history.

The PAWS airdrop: What you need to know

No viral Web3 game is complete without an airdrop, and Paws is no exception.

Users who engage with the app, tapping, referring and completing tasks earn points, which are later converted into PAWS tokens. These tokens are distributed via an airdrop, and the team has already completed early reward rounds with plans for future drops as the ecosystem expands.

The PAWS token officially launched on March 18, 2025. Here’s a breakdown of the key events that took place:​

• March 11-15: Withdrawals opened to exchanges.
• March 17: Token deposits became available on exchanges.
• March 18: Withdrawals to Phantom Wallet and the official PAWS listing commenced.​

The airdrop distribution was as follows:​

• 62.5% allocated to Paws app users.
• 7.5% reserved for established Solana communities.
• The remaining percentage is designated for ecosystem growth, partnerships and liquidity.

Despite the successful migration and platform enhancements, the PAWS token launch faced some challenges:​

• Price volatility: The token experienced a significant drop in value shortly after launch.
• Airdrop confusion: Many users were unsure about eligibility criteria, leading to dissatisfaction.
• Communication gaps: Delays and a lack of clear communication regarding the token generation event (TGE) affected community trust on X.

As of April 2025, the PAWS token is listed on a few exchanges, including Bybit, MEXC and KuCoin. There’s growing speculation that listings on more centralized exchanges (CEXs) may follow, especially given the size of the community and early engagement.

Did you know? After migrating to Solana, Paws launched NFT vouchers on Magic Eden. In just two weeks, these NFTs generated over 100,000 transactions.

Is Paws legit or just another hype train?

Paws has demonstrated substantial growth and user engagement; however, users must do their own research before joining in. 

Let’s get to the big question: Is Paws legit?

Paws has demonstrated substantial growth and user engagement. The following help to make a better assessment on how to approach Paws:​

Pros:

• Developed by a team with a track record (Notcoin and Dogs).
• Successful migration to Solana indicates long-term planning and future orientation.
• Rapid user adoption and community growth.​

Cons:

• Limited transparency with no public team page or comprehensive white paper.
• Potential for bot-driven airdrop farming, as has been seen on Telegram Mini Apps.
• The project is navigating regulatory uncertainty, particularly as airdrops via Telegram Mini Apps remain in a legal gray area, often lacking clear Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

So, what’s the verdict? While Paws appears to be a well-used platform for casual engagement, users should conduct thorough research and exercise caution, especially when considering financial investments.

What’s next for Paws?

As the platform matures and cements its place, the team behind it has hinted at a much bigger vision: one that turns Paws from a simple viral game into a dynamic Web3 super app. 

Here’s what’s reportedly on the roadmap:

• In-app marketplace: Users will soon be able to spend their PAWS tokens within an integrated marketplace. This could include digital goods, services and utility items tied to the app’s gaming ecosystem, such as power-ups, skins or access to exclusive features.
• NFT rewards and avatar customization: Paws plans to introduce customizable avatars powered by NFTs. These will not only let users personalize their experience but also function as tradable digital assets. The team has already launched early NFT vouchers on Solana’s Magic Eden, showing a clear direction toward gamified asset ownership.
• Social leaderboards and guild mechanics: Paws is building out more community-first features. Competitive social leaderboards will reward the most active players, while upcoming guild mechanics will allow users to team up, compete and share rewards, blending social gaming with decentralized coordination.
• DeFi integrations: With its migration to Solana, PAWS has opened the door to deeper DeFi utility. Upcoming features could include staking, lending pools, yield-based games or partnerships with native Solana DeFi protocols, adding more financial layers to the Paws economy.

With a user base now exceeding 80 million and growing, Paws is laying the groundwork to evolve into a full-blown Web3 social and gaming hub — though its rapid rise also warrants caution, as regulatory clarity and long-term sustainability remain key concerns.