TON is now the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s mini-apps

TON (The Open Network) has become the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s mini-apps, marking a significant expansion of the partnership between the TON Foundation and Telegram. In an announcement made on January 21, the two entities revealed that Telegram’s mini-apps will now rely solely on the TON blockchain. This collaboration is expected to boost the adoption of the TON blockchain across Telegram’s massive user base of 950 million monthly active users.

As part of this expanded ecosystem, popular games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin, which gained substantial traction on Telegram in 2024, are being launched on the Toncoin-powered blockchain. These types of interactive projects are expected to play a key role in the growth of the TON network.

What Does This Mean for Developers and Projects? With this strategic collaboration, all mini-apps currently operating on Telegram but not utilizing TON must transition to the TON blockchain by February 21, 2025. Developers who choose to migrate their apps will benefit from a range of support, including technical assistance, easier user onboarding, and marketing aid. The TON Foundation has also introduced grants of up to $50,000 in ad credits to help facilitate these transitions.

Additionally, TON Connect will be the exclusive wallet for Telegram mini-apps, with the exception of scenarios involving bridging between different blockchains. This exclusivity will enhance the seamless integration of the TON blockchain within Telegram’s platform.

A Historical Partnership The TON project originally started as the Telegram Open Network in 2017, with Telegram raising $1.7 billion to create a blockchain-based decentralized platform. However, regulatory challenges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) led Telegram to abandon the project in 2020. The community revived the project in 2021, launching the TON blockchain mainnet. Since 2023, Telegram and the TON Foundation have partnered to support the growth of the network, with Telegram introducing Toncoin payments.

A Vision for Explosive Growth According to Manuel Stotz, president of the TON Foundation, this deeper, exclusive partnership represents a key milestone in the network’s growth. “After laying foundational groundwork over the last years, TON is now ready for explosive growth in 2025,” Stotz said. This expansion comes at a crucial time as the TON blockchain is poised to increase its adoption among Telegram’s extensive user base, offering new opportunities for projects and developers to leverage the blockchain for innovative applications.

Future growth initiatives for the TON blockchain include the tokenization of digital assets such as emojis, stickers, and tokenized gifts through NFTs. These features aim to expand the use of blockchain technology within Telegram and attract more users and developers to the platform.

Overall, the exclusive partnership between Telegram and the TON Foundation is expected to pave the way for the widespread adoption of the TON blockchain, positioning it as a key player in the blockchain space for 2025 and beyond.