Background on Eduard Gurinovich
Recent investigative journalism by The Bell has uncovered that Eduard Gurinovich, a prominent Russian IT entrepreneur known for founding CarPrice and CarMoney, is one of the masterminds behind the viral game Hamster Kombat. Gurinovich was listed on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list in 2019, and his venture CarPrice amassed $42 million in investment. After stepping down from CarPrice in 2017, he focused on startups like Dbrain and Expload, and created Mytime, a blockchain platform compensating users with cryptocurrency.
Link to Hamster Kombat
Gurinovich’s connection to Hamster Kombat was substantiated when domains related to the game were registered under suspicious circumstances, pointing to the Cyprus-based company Arenum Ltd. Gurinovich, along with Russian entrepreneurs Alexander Zelenshchikov and Alexander Pasechnik, were listed as shareholders.
Hamster Kombat’s Integration with Telegram
Hamster Kombat operates as a Telegram bot, allowing players to step into the role of a cryptocurrency exchange CEO, tapping on a virtual hamster to collect coins and bonuses. The game is part of one of Telegram’s largest free marketing campaigns, aiming to enhance the platform’s functionality similar to WeChat in China.
Growing Popularity of Telegram Games
Telegram has evolved into a platform hosting simple yet engaging games like Hamster Kombat, designed for high performance across various connection speeds. This model enhances user engagement and boosts Telegram’s appeal. Hamster Kombat’s success underscores the potential for messenger platforms to drive tech innovation and cryptocurrency integration, blending entertainment with practical blockchain technology.
