Telegram Embraces Toncoin as Sole Crypto for App Services
Telegram has announced that it will exclusively support Toncoin and The Open Network (TON) for its apps and services, ending support for all other blockchains. This shift is part of a new partnership between Telegram and the TON Foundation, revealed on Jan. 21.
As a result, TON will serve as the sole blockchain infrastructure for Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem. Additionally, Telegram will only accept Toncoin for non-fiat payments related to its assets and services.
This partnership strengthens the collaboration between Telegram and the TON Foundation, with Telegram having consistently endorsed TON as its preferred blockchain network for Web3 services.
The TON Foundation highlighted that Telegram’s use of TON features, such as Mini Apps and Toncoin-based payments, has been crucial in expanding the network. The new exclusivity agreement further solidifies the technological connection between the two.
Under this deal, Telegram will continue to use Toncoin as the exclusive token for payments across various services, including Telegram Stars, Telegram Premium, Telegram Ads, and Telegram Gateway. It will also be the only currency used to pay developers and channel owners for Telegram Stars and ad revenue.
Furthermore, TON Connect will become the exclusive protocol for linking Telegram Mini Apps to blockchain wallets, ensuring that blockchain functionality within these apps is tied solely to TON.
A representative from the TON Foundation noted that while some developers had previously added blockchain features through other networks, the expanded partnership will now require all blockchain functionality within Telegram Mini Apps to be based on TON. The representative added that Toncoin has always been the only non-fiat payment option for Telegram, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to integrating Toncoin throughout its ecosystem.