87% of Russians Aware of Cryptocurrency, 42% Familiar With Hamster Kombat, Survey Shows

A survey by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center reveals high awareness of cryptocurrency among Russians but limited knowledge of the Telegram game Hamster Kombat. Despite 87% being aware of cryptocurrency, only 42% know of Hamster Kombat. The game’s popularity is mainly among young, tech-savvy Telegram users, with a significant gap between awareness and active participation.

Russians’ Crypto Awareness High, but Few Know Hamster Kombat Game

The All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) released the results of a survey last week highlighting Russians’ awareness and perceptions of crypto games on Telegram. While the data show a high overall awareness of cryptocurrency, knowledge of the specific Telegram game Hamster Kombat is limited. The survey included 1600 respondents aged 18 and over. The Center described (translated by Google):

Almost nine out of 10 Russians (87%) have heard of cryptocurrency.

Zoomers are the most knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, with 96% awareness, including 35% who are well-informed, compared to 21% among all Russians, the survey shows.

Despite this, only 42% of respondents are aware of Hamster Kombat, and just 14% are well-informed about it. The game, which allows users to earn HAMS cryptocurrency, is popular among younger, tech-savvy demographics but remains largely unknown to the broader population. Awareness is significantly higher among young people (86% of Zoomers, 72% of younger millennials), those knowledgeable about cryptocurrency (67%), daily Telegram users (62%), residents of both capitals and cities with populations over one million (53% and 50%, respectively), and active internet users (62%).

The Center continued:

Despite Hamster Kombat’s popularity among certain groups, more than half of respondents (57%) across the country are not aware of this chatbot at all.

In other words, Hamster Kombat’s popularity is largely localized to technologically advanced, young, and digital-savvy Telegram users and is limited on a national scale, the Center noted.

The Center further reported that 58% of people aware of the Hamster Kombat game neither use it nor know anyone who does. Only 8% are trying to earn cryptocurrency with it, just 3% of all respondents. Interest is higher among young people (12%), those with incomplete secondary education (16%), and residents of large cities (12%-15%). Daily use of Telegram (10%), high awareness of cryptocurrency (11%), and active internet use (8%) do not increase interest in Hamster Kombat.

Despite the potential to convert game earnings to real money, 67% of Russians remain skeptical. Men, younger individuals, and daily Telegram users are more likely to believe in these opportunities, while women, older generations, and those with higher education tend to be more skeptical.

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