Telegram Goes Exclusive With TON

Telegram and The Open Network Foundation just revealed an exclusive partnership mandating that all Telegram mini apps, including games with crypto features, must integrate with TON.

Additionally, Telegram will offer various incentives to projects that choose to build on this network.

TON Foundation President Manual Stotz said:

“The integration of TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram mini apps is a strategic step forward, strengthening TON's status as one of the world's leading blockchains.”

He continued:

“Telegram is one of the biggest messaging apps in the world, with a global network of over 950 million active users, which means that this agreement represents an unparalleled opportunity for TON to be at the heart of blockchain innovation on a truly global scale.”

The Ties Between Telegram and TON

Telegram initially created TON, originally known as the Telegram Open Network, but abandoned the project in 2020 due to regulatory challenges.

Despite this, the development of TON continued through a community of independent builders, ultimately leading to its rebranding as The Open Network.

Over the past 18 months, Telegram and TON have steadily reconnected.

This resurgence includes the launch of a TON Wallet app on Telegram, which spurred the rise of tap-to-earn crypto games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin, drawing hundreds of millions of players.

Additionally, Telegram began rewarding channel operators with a share of ad revenue paid in Toncoin (TON), and introduced an in-app Telegram Stars currency that can be exchanged for TON.

Earlier this month, Telegram further deepened its involvement with TON by announcing plans to enable users to mint in-app stickers as tradable NFTs on the network.

Telegram Apps and Games to Migrate Over to TON Exclusively

With this new agreement, Telegram and TON have solidified a deeper partnership, now inseparable in their crypto ventures.

Telegram mini apps and games that previously integrated other blockchains like Sui or Aptos will be required to transition to TON and adopt the TON Connect protocol to maintain crypto functionality.

Stotz clarified:

“Existing wallet protocols to non-TON chains will be prohibited except for the specific purpose of allowing users to bridge assets from other blockchains…to maintain a scalable and secure user experience that meets Telegram’s standards, all mini apps with cryptocurrency functionality must be based exclusively on TON blockchain.”

To encourage this shift, the TON Foundation is offering grants of up to $50,000 to projects that migrate within the next 30 days, based on their audience size.

However, projects previously supported by the Foundation are excluded from this opportunity.

The announcement follows President Donald Trump's return to the White House after his pro-crypto campaign, signalling potential regulatory changes as key figures, including SEC Chair Gary Gensler, step down.

When asked about the timing, Stotz refrained from commenting on the political context, instead emphasizing the long-standing alignment between Telegram and TON:

“It’s a natural and strategic alignment. Telegram has long advocated for open-source technology and championed the global Web3 community, and TON shares and is well-positioned to support that vision. By choosing TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram mini apps, Telegram can now provide a robust, reliable, and scalable solution for users and developers that can support the growth of its global network.”