Mobile-first platform combines blockchain rewards, free-to-play access, and community-driven gameplay
Turning Taps into Tangible Rewards
Rise & Hustle, a new gaming venture focused on mobile-first user engagement, has officially launched its tap-to-earn gaming platform in Nigeria, signaling a bold new era in play-for-rewards innovation across Africa. The platform allows players to earn real-world items, including mobile airtime, branded merchandise, and blockchain-based Rise Tokens — simply by playing and progressing through gamified challenges.
Built for mobile users in emerging markets, Rise & Hustle features free-to-play access, making it inclusive and accessible regardless of players’ financial means. Players earn in-game points called “Bucks,” which are accumulated through tapping mechanics and gameplay progression, and can later be redeemed for actual rewards.
Blockchain Backbone: Rise Token on BNB Chain
Central to the platform’s reward ecosystem is the Rise Token, a crypto-backed token built on the Binance Smart Chain (BNB Chain). This adds a layer of decentralization and transparency to the rewards system, while also positioning the platform within the growing crypto-gaming hybrid space.
While crypto adoption is still developing across Africa, Nigeria has emerged as one of the continent’s most active markets in Web3 engagement and blockchain use, making it a logical launchpad for the initiative.
Localised Design Meets Global Gaming Trends
Rise & Hustle’s content is developed in-house, featuring a variety of mechanics such as leaderboards, status levels, live tournaments, and squads that encourage collective play and competitive ambition. This aligns with rising trends in interactive and social mobile gaming, especially popular among Gen Z users.
The platform leverages AI integration and local partnerships to optimize the user experience for African markets, adapting content and rewards to regional behaviors and mobile usage patterns.
According to co-founder and CEO Josh Jones, the platform is not just about gaming, but about building a cultural shift:
“This isn’t just a game — it’s a movement. We’re flipping the script on how value is created. By transforming time and talent into tangible benefits, Rise & Hustle gives users a reason to hustle together.”
A Growing Ecosystem: From Tap-to-Earn to Real Money Gaming
Rise & Hustle’s initial rollout is focused on non-monetary, skill-driven engagement, but a real-money gaming extension is in the works, according to the company’s roadmap. This aligns with broader industry trends in Africa, where mobile payments, crypto familiarity, and gamified apps are converging into a booming ecosystem.
By 2025, the company plans to expand to Kenya and Ghana, two countries that, like Nigeria, have high mobile penetration rates and fast-growing digital economies. This expansion will likely be pivotal in establishing Rise & Hustle as a pan-African gaming brand.
Setting a Benchmark for Engagement
The launch comes amid increasing industry attention on tap-based, mobile-friendly formats. Rise & Hustle’s model draws favorable comparisons with industry entrants like Onlyplay’s Piggy Tap™, which was recently shortlisted for Product Launch of the Year for its success in user engagement.
By blending gamification, blockchain innovation, and culturally attuned design, Rise & Hustle could mark a new chapter in African mobile gaming — one where entertainment directly translates into value, empowerment, and community-driven achievement.
