How-to · 5 min read
How to Withdraw Telegram Game Airdrops (Hamster, DOGS, Notcoin) to an Indian Bank
Got Hamster Kombat, DOGS, Notcoin or Catizen airdrop tokens? How to sell them for USDT, withdraw on TRC20 (not TON) and get INR in your Indian bank account.
By Bryan Aaron · Updated
Quick answer
Sell your airdrop tokens (HMSTR, DOGS, NOT, CATI) for USDT on an exchange that lists them, withdraw the USDT on the TRON (TRC20) network, not TON, to a direct offramp like Disburz, and receive INR in your bank by IMPS. Never pay a fee to unlock an airdrop.
Millions of Indians played Telegram tap-to-earn games like Hamster Kombat, Notcoin, DOGS and Catizen, and got tokens in the airdrop. Those tokens aren't rupees yet. Here's how to turn an airdrop into INR in your bank account, without falling for the scams that follow every airdrop.
Where your airdrop tokens are
- On an exchange: many games let you send the airdrop to an exchange account (such as Binance, Bybit or OKX) linked in the game. The tokens show up in that exchange's wallet.
- In a TON wallet: if you claimed to Tonkeeper, Telegram Wallet or another TON wallet, the tokens sit on the TON blockchain.
Step 1: Sell the tokens for USDT
On the exchange, sell the token (HMSTR, NOT, DOGS, CATI and so on) for USDT on the spot market. If the tokens are in a TON wallet, first deposit them to an exchange that lists them, using the exchange's TON deposit address (and memo, if it shows one), then sell.
Step 2: Withdraw USDT on TRC20, not TON
Disburz accepts USDT on the TRON (TRC20) network today. USDT also exists on TON, but sending TON-USDT to a TRON address can lose it. On the exchange's withdrawal screen, choose TRX / TRON (TRC20) as the network. See sent crypto on the wrong network?
Step 3: Get INR in your bank
- Start a sale on Disburz: the quote shows the exact INR, with no documents to upload.
- Add your bank account and copy the deposit address from the payment page.
- Withdraw the USDT on TRC20 to that address.
- Receive INR by IMPS, usually within minutes, with the bank UTR by email.
Small airdrop? Check the numbers first: part of the cost is fixed per sale (today ₹50 fee + 3 USDT network deduction), so very small amounts lose a big share. See 10 USDT to INR and 50 USDT to INR. It can be worth waiting until you have more.
Airdrop scams to avoid
- “Pay a fee to unlock your withdrawal.” Real airdrops never ask you to pay to receive tokens.
- Fake bots and look-alike channels that ask you to connect your wallet or share your seed phrase. Never share it, with anyone.
- Telegram “buyers” offering to buy your tokens for UPI. The money can be linked to fraud, and your account can be frozen.
Is airdrop money taxed?
Yes. Tokens received free can be taxable when you get them if their value crosses the gift limits, and when you sell, the gain is taxed at a flat 30% plus cess. Keep a screenshot of the airdrop, the sale and the payout UTR, and ask a CA if the amount is large. More in crypto tax and TDS in India.
