Telegram Auction Platform Enforces KYC Verification

According to PANews, Telegram's dedicated auction platform, Fragment, has initiated mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Users are now required to undergo identity verification to purchase services such as 'Star Coins,' Telegram Premium, or anonymous numbers. The verification process is managed by third-party service Sumsub, which necessitates users to submit their email, phone number, ID document scans, and facial photographs. Users can check the verification status of their Telegram accounts and TON wallets on the Fragment profile page. Currently, purchasing Telegram Premium and Star Coins through @PremiumBot or app stores remains unaffected by this new requirement. Decentralized marketplaces like Getgems.io continue to allow the purchase of anonymous numbers and usernames using cryptocurrency without KYC. However, it remains uncertain whether these NFTs will be usable on Telegram in the long term. As of now, Telegram has not officially responded to these changes.