*Read our previous update on TON Nest [here](https://blog.ton.org/empowering-builders-with-ton-nest).*

Over the past year, TON Nest has served as a vital gateway for early-stage projects building on The Open Network. We’ve celebrated successes, gathered feedback, and learned alongside our vibrant community of builders. Today, we’re excited to announce the next stage in TON Nest’s evolution. 

Moving forward, TON Nest will operate directly under **TON Foundation’s Ecosystem Support Team**, ensuring deeper integration and a clearer pathway for builders within the broader TON ecosystem. We've refreshed the program structure to enhance the educational and networking experience, focusing on what early teams need most to succeed.

## **Our continued commitment to builders**

TON Nest remains dedicated to its core mission: **empowering innovators and builders during the crucial early stages.** We continue to provide access to unique benefits tailored for teams turning ideas into impactful TON-based applications. 

Key support elements like **expert-led workshops** (covering GTM strategy, tokenomics, legal considerations, technical hurdles), invaluable **mentorship hours** with seasoned ecosystem veterans, **pitch training**, and critical **Roast Sessions** remain central to the program.

## **What's evolving for an enhanced experience**

In response to community feedback, TON Nest has introduced several refinements aimed at improving clarity and impact: 

- **Clearer graduation path:** Teams will now graduate by actively participating in the program and delivering a final pitch at events such as **Roast Sessions** or a dedicated **TON Nest Demo Day.** Graduates will receive an official **TON Nest Alumni [Soulbound Token (SBT)](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-buy-sell-and-use-ton-nfts#5-sbts-soulbound-tokens)** to formally recognize their achievement.
- **Focus on quality:** We're committed to delivering high-value interactions, measured through feedback surveys.
- **Improved communication:**  We're also centralizing communication into a **single TON Nest chat** for enhanced peer-to-peer support and easier access to mentors and updates.

## **How to join TON Nest**

**Are you an early-stage team ready to build on TON?** Getting started is straightforward:

1. Register your project on the [TON Builder portal](https://eco.ton.org/).
2. Apply to join TON Nest.
3. Once submitted, join the TON Nest community chat and start participating!

### To current TON Nest members

Your journey continues. The existing Level 1 chat will become the new unified 'TON Nest Founders’ chat, and we'll ensure all current members are transitioned there shortly. All existing and new activities are available to you as you progress towards graduation under the refined structure. Stay tuned for detailed updates in the current channels.

We're incredibly excited about this next chapter for TON Nest and its role within the TON Foundation's comprehensive support system. We believe these changes will provide a clearer, more impactful experience for builders. 

**Join us, and let's build the future of the open internet on TON!**

<button href="https://eco.ton.org/opportunities/ton-nest" passutmsource="true">
Join TON Nest
</button >

---

***Disclaimer**: Please note that TON Nest is an educational program. Participation does not constitute investment advice or financial promotion. The program does not endorse any specific project or token, nor does it facilitate token sales or fundraising activities.*

TON Nest evolves for enhanced builder education

Following the [successful deprecation of jUSDT](https://t.me/toncoin/1328), we’re officially retiring Toncoin Bridge.

Starting from May 10, 2025, users will no longer be able to bridge Toncoin from TON to Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain. All past transfers to these chains will remain claimable after this date. 

Bridging Toncoin into TON will stay active for now, with a future sunset date to be announced.

## Why we’re retiring the bridge

Toncoin Bridge played a vital role in TON’s early days—before centralized exchange (CEX) listings, decentralized finance (DeFi) on TON, and native USDT.

At the time, users who wanted to trade Toncoin only had one option: send it through TON Bridge to Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain, then use platforms like Uniswap or PancakeSwap to swap it for other tokens.

Even after CEX listings, the bridge remained the primary way to access decentralized exchanges (DEXs) before they launched on TON. Later, it became the gateway for wrapped assets like jUSDT.

But TON has since evolved.

Today, TON is integrated with world-class cross-chain platforms like [LayerZero](https://blog.ton.org/ton-layer-zero), Stargate, Symbiosis, and Rhino.fi. With [USDt-TON](https://blog.ton.org/usdt-ton-use-cases), thriving DEXs, and a growing DeFi ecosystem, users no longer need to exit the network to use their assets.

**Sunsetting the bridge:**

- Improves user safety by retiring older infrastructure
- Encourages adoption of modern, scalable [cross-chain](https://blog.ton.org/why-interoperability-is-key-to-unlocking-blockchains-full-potential) tools
- Reflects TON’s evolution into a more mature, self-sustaining ecosystem

## A look back at what we’ve built together

**Bridge launches**

- Toncoin Ethereum Bridge (v1) – Launched on Aug 20, 2021 by TON Core
- Toncoin BNB Smart Chain Bridge (v2) – Launched on Oct 4, 2021 by TON Core
- Token Ethereum Bridge (v3) – Launched on Apr 18, 2023 by TON Core and RSquad

**Bridge usage**

- 31,893 transfers processed
- 101,228,451 TON bridged

**Security**

- No successful hacks or exploits
- All transfers accounted for and claimable

**Wrapped Toncoin activity**

- [Ethereum](https://etherscan.io/token/0x582d872a1b094fc48f5de31d3b73f2d9be47def1#balances): 35,694 holders, 460K+ transactions
- [BNB Smart Chain](https://bscscan.com/token/0x76A797A59Ba2C17726896976B7B3747BfD1d220f): 113,495 holders, 2.6M+ transactions

## What’s next

Bridge oracles will begin withdrawing their staked TON as the service winds down, though operations will continue securely.

A separate announcement will follow regarding the deprecation of token transfers, as newer cross-chain technologies take over.

**Thank you** to everyone who used the bridge and helped TON grow during its earliest days. The next chapter is here—faster, safer, and more connected than ever.

👉 [Explore TON’s latest cross-chain infrastructure](https://ton.org/bridges)

TON retires legacy Toncoin Bridge after 4 years

Alex is a regular person. Works in marketing, reads Reddit more than they should, and has a college buddies group chat that’s 90% memes and 10% planning a reunion that never happens.

Lately, the chat’s been looking...different. People are sending animated stickers, but talking about them like they’re Pokémon cards. “**I just got a drop!**” “**Check out this rare one**!” Alex is confused. They look like fun Telegram stickers, sure—but what’s with the collector vibes?

## Non-fungible…okay, what are NFTs?

Let’s rewind. NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are digital items you can own. Unlike a JPEG you save from Google, these are tracked on a [blockchain network](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-blockchain)—so you know who has what, when it was made, and how rare it is.

 ![What are TON NFTs_BAYC](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_a6430408ee/image_a6430408ee.png) 

*Source: [BAYC](https://boredapeyachtclub.com/collections/bayc) | Monkey business just got serious – check out these Bored Apes!*

They started as artsy flexes—remember Bored Apes and CryptoPunks?—but lately they’ve grown into collectibles with use cases, like game items, memberships, and even tickets. Some are fun. Some are useful. Some are both.

 ![What are TON NFTs_Ginger Cookies NFT Gifts](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_1_57ceb87d3d/image_1_57ceb87d3d.png) 

*Source: [Getgems](https://getgems.io/collection/EQBCe75G0AhjqC64B7H_BHP0wgfONX_x98rszmsEwndDVAjG) | Ginger Cookies NFT Gifts – delicious, vibrant and 100% on-chain.*

## TON NFTs: what makes them different?

Alex finally asks a friend: “*What are these things you keep sending?*”

“**They’re TON NFTs,**” the friend replies casually. “You don’t need complicated wallets, expensive gas fees, or have any such stress. It’s just part of Telegram now. And they have a huge NFT collection.”

Here’s what Alex finds out:

- [**TON = The Open Network**](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network), a blockchain that works directly with Telegram. It’s also the [world’s fastest blockchain](https://blog.ton.org/speed-of-tomorrow-ton-is-the-worlds-fastest-blockchain).
- You can send and receive NFTs inside Telegram chats.
- **Transactions are cheap and fast**. No $200 fees just to trade a cartoon panda.
- You don’t need to set up a clunky wallet from a separate app. Telegram has it built in or works with apps like Tonkeeper.
- **Digital gifts and stickers** become collectibles—some are rare, some are animated, some are just fun in a good way.

**Let’s take a closer look at NFT Gifts and Stickers.**

### What are NFT Gifts and Stickers?

**NFT** **Gifts** are digital presents you can send to friends right inside Telegram. Once received, they live on your profile and can be upgraded into a collectible or traded after 14 days. Some collections can also be staked for rewards on Tonnel.

**NFT Stickers** are limited-edition packs you can own and use in chats. You can buy them with various tokens, and they’ll soon be minted on-chain for verified ownership and trading.

TON NFTs go beyond just Gifts and Stickers. You’ll also find collectible **usernames, anonymous numbers, DNS domains,** and early **OG collections** like TON Punks and Lost Dogs—all live on marketplaces like Getgems and Fragment.

## Wait… what even is Telegram?

Telegram is a messaging app—just like WhatsApp or iMessage—but with way more features. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it supports public channels and runs mini apps and bots that can do everything from running polls to launching games or even selling merch.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">✅ 1 billion monthly active users — milestone reached. <a href="https://t.co/ZfwWcrFCGu">pic.twitter.com/ZfwWcrFCGu</a></p>&mdash; Pavel Durov (@durov) <a href="https://twitter.com/durov/status/1902418043961274763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Thanks to its [exclusive partnership with TON](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-exclusive-partnership-2025), Telegram is now more than just a chat app. It’s also becoming a [gateway to Web3](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-web3-adoption). You can send and collect NFTs, trade tokens, and even use blockchain-based mini apps without leaving the app.

## How to get started

Alex is intrigued and wants to try it out. They soon discover that getting their first NFT on TON is easy.

Here's an explainer of Alex’s experience, from [how to create and start using a wallet](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-and-start-using-wallet) to making the first NFT purchase.

1. **Get a wallet**: Create a [@wallet](https://t.me/wallet) on Telegram or download an app like [Tonkeeper](https://tonkeeper.com/).
2. **Buy some TON**: It’s the token used to buy stuff on the network.
3. **Browse a marketplace**: Check out sites like [Getgems](https://getgems.io/), [Fragment](https://fragment.com/), and [Tonnel](https://market.tonnel.network/) to see what people are trading.
4. **Collect and trade**: NFTs range from limited-edition gifts to game items, usernames, anonymous numbers, and even DNS domains. You’ll also find OG collections like NOT Wise, Lost Dogs, and TON Punks—projects that paved the way for the ecosystem and still hold a special place in the community.

💡 [Check out our full guide to buying, selling, and using TON NFTs.](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-buy-sell-and-use-ton-nfts)

## So, why are people obsessed?

For collectors, it’s not about flipping NFTs for millions (though hey, it happens). It’s about collecting stuff that feels like it belongs in your day-to-day or becomes part of your personality.

TON NFTs are built around **conversation**, **collecting**, **fun,** and **utility**. Here’s what Alex discovered during their research:

**1. Usernames, numbers, and domains –** Telegram usernames, anonymous numbers, and .ton domains are tradable NFTs you can buy on **Fragment** and **Getgems**. These aren’t just vanity handles—they double as wallet addresses and digital IDs across Telegram and Web3.

**2. NFT Gifts and Stickers –** Buy limited-edition digital gifts and stickers with [Telegram Stars](https://blog.ton.org/telegram-stars-and-ton-ecosystem) or tokens like TON, NOT, or DOGS. Gifts can be upgraded, worn as emoji statuses, and moved to the blockchain. Stickers bought with Stars (Telegram’s in-app currency linked to Toncoin) can be collected, held, and will soon be tradable in the [Market](https://t.me/market_fam).

**3. NFTs as access passes –** NFTs can act like digital tickets for concerts, private events, or VIP Telegram communities. They’re secure, tradable, and can come with post-event extras.

**4. Game items & virtual economies –** NFTs represent skins, characters, or power-ups in TON-based games. Thanks to on-chain storage, players can trade them freely across games and platforms.

**5. Soulbound Tokens (SBTs) –** These non-transferable NFTs serve as credentials or proof of participation. Earn SBTs through TON events or community campaigns via [**TON Society**](https://society.ton.org/activities/active).

### **What type of NFT are you?**

 ![What are TON NFTs_Plush Pepe NFT Gifts](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_3_4df390be96/image_3_4df390be96.png) 

*Source: [Getgems](https://getgems.io/collection/EQBG-g6ahkAUGWpefWbx-D_9sQ8oWbvy6puuq78U2c4NUDFS?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=top_collections&utm_campaign=collection_overview) | Are you one of the many Plush Pepes? There’s a Pepe for every mood.*

 ![What are TON NFTs_NFT Stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_2_c0fdee8a34/image_2_c0fdee8a34.png) 

*Source: [Sticker Pack](https://t.me/sticker_bot/) | Or maybe you’d rather flex your Ws & Ls to your new Web3 fam?*

**Recent TON NFT Sticker sales have captured significant attention.**

The latest Pengu x Baby Shark sticker drop on TON sold out **in seconds**. That’s not a fluke. It follows a trend we’re seeing across the board: sticker collections on TON are disappearing almost as fast as they’re listed.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Pudgy Penguins launched 2 collections of Telegram NFT Stickers in collaboration with Baby Shark.<br><br>- 888/888 were sold out in seconds<br>- 2nd collection of 8888 is still accessible<br><br>It’s probably nothing… 🐧🦈👀 <a href="https://t.co/q4xCDx0EPy">https://t.co/q4xCDx0EPy</a> <a href="https://t.co/GjahT2oqKp">pic.twitter.com/GjahT2oqKp</a></p>&mdash; Viktor 🧡 (@s0meone_u_know) <a href="https://twitter.com/s0meone_u_know/status/1904928194135806208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Valentine’s Day Gifts drop featuring 2,000 hearts [sold out in just 6 minutes](https://t.me/durov/398), with the entire collection selling out within a few hours, generating over $5 million in sales.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Pavel Durov has over 2,000 Telegram NFT Gifts, worth over $100k in <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TON&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TON</a> according to my estimations.<br><br>How many do you own? 🫵🎁 <a href="https://t.co/GO22HvF7IB">pic.twitter.com/GO22HvF7IB</a></p>&mdash; Viktor 🧡 (@s0meone_u_know) <a href="https://twitter.com/s0meone_u_know/status/1908626132087562685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NFT Stickers and Gifts open up new ways to interact, connect, and own things online:

- Send a digital gift for someone’s birthday? Sure.
- Share a sticker you got from the Sticker Store? Easy.
- Join a community that drops exclusive items? That too.

It also helps that it doesn’t cost a kidney to participate.

## Alex’s first NFT

Alex ends up buying a tiered birthday cake gift they saw on Telegram. They send it to a friend with the caption “Happy Birthday!”

That friend sends a psychedelic mushroom back.

Alex laughs. They check their Telegram profile and see it there, logged forever.

Maybe this NFT stuff isn’t so weird after all.

**Keep up with all things TON NFTs:**

- Guide – [How to buy, sell, and use TON NFTs](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-buy-sell-and-use-ton-nfts)
- Collectibles (TG) – https://t.me/collectibles
- Sticker Pack (TG) – https://t.me/sticker_bot
- Sticker Community (TG) – https://t.me/sticker_community

---

***Disclaimer:** The Open Network (TON) does not promote, support, or endorse any third-party cryptocurrency projects, tokens, or initiatives. Any claims of affiliation or endorsement by TON are false and should be disregarded. Participants are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research and exercise caution when engaging with third-party projects or platforms. TON assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions, investments, or decisions made in relation to such projects.*

What are TON NFTs? A no-nonsense intro and why everyone’s talking about them

What if you could jump into FIFA, Counter Strike, DOTA, or Call of Duty—and earn crypto while you play? That’s what Miomi Game is building on TON.

With short battles, secure payouts, and $94M+ in prize pools, Miomi Game makes competitive gaming feel rewarding, not just sweaty. And with icons like Ronaldinho on board, it’s clear they’re *playing to win.*

They’re even building free games that detect and support health conditions, like ADHD and Alzheimer’s, proving games can do more than entertain.

We caught up with the team to learn how they’re doing it—and where they’re headed next.

### **Miomi Game has grown fast—650,000 registered users, $94M+ in prize pools. In such a crowded eSports space, what do you think gave you the edge?**

We focused on what gamers actually want: quick matches, real competition, and rewards that matter. While other platforms push big tournaments, we made space for 1v1 and 2v2 matches so players can jump in and level up daily.

The [Play2Win](https://blog.ton.org/play2win-the-evolution-of-web3-gaming) model helped a lot—players don’t just join for fun, they compete for real rewards. Add social features, matchmaking tools, and a clear path from casual play to professional eSports; you've got a setup that works.

Also, working with figures like Ronaldinho helped build trust and reach.

### **You’re tackling some pretty complex challenges, like bridging Web2 and Web3 for gamers. What kind of expertise did it take to make that happen?**

We brought in a mix of eSports pros, Web3 builders, and game dev veterans who knew both sides. After spending years analyzing what works in traditional gaming and what’s missing in Web3, we finally built a platform where players don’t even need to understand crypto to start playing—everything just works.

We also brought in top-tier advisors and partners, like Ronaldinho and some of the best minds in gaming and blockchain. This mix of expertise helped us design a product that feels familiar to Web2 users, but powered by the benefits of Web3—instant rewards, real ownership, and decentralized competition—enabling us to convert 90% of our Web2 players into Web3 users.

### **Partnering with a global icon like Ronaldinho is a big move. What made this collaboration click? Was there a particular moment or shared vision that made you say, “This is the right fit for Miomi Game”?**

From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to work with people who truly understand the spirit of competition and community—and Ronaldinho embodies both. He’s a global football legend and a cultural icon who has always inspired joy, creativity, and passion—exactly what we aim to bring to gaming.

The partnership kicked off through his eSports team, R10, which we proudly support. From there, we aligned on a shared goal: making global tournaments—like eFIFA—open to everyone, not just the pros.

### **How did you build Miomi Game’s tech infrastructure to ensure a seamless and secure gaming experience, including fast matchmaking, escrow payments, and Web3 integration?**

We designed Miomi Game to feel just as intuitive as traditional gaming—but with better rewards, fair competition, and trustless transactions. To achieve this, we focused on:

- **Fast matchmaking** – Players can quickly find 1v1, 2v2, or larger matches, making games more dynamic and accessible.
- **Secure escrow payments** – Every match is backed by a system that ensures fair payouts and eliminates fraud.
- **Automated result verification** – In some games, results are recorded automatically, while in others, a social rating system and admin moderation keep things fair.
- **Scalability** – Our system is designed to handle millions of matches while remaining fast and reliable.
- **Wallet creation directly on the platform** – Players can easily create and manage their own wallets, simplifying the process of participating in Web3 gaming.
- **Token swaps on-platform** – Players can exchange tokens directly on the platform, making it easier to use their rewards and participate in the ecosystem.

### **Miomi Game has already brought over 150,000 new wallets to TON. Why did you choose TON and what’s your secret to making Web3 feel accessible and fun?**

TON made sense. It's fast, cheap to use, and built for mass adoption. That means fewer headaches for players and more room for features we actually want.

We didn’t bury players in complexity. Wallets and token swaps are built in. It feels like traditional gaming, but better—you earn real rewards and control your assets.

The real trick? Hiding the tech until players are ready. Then it clicks, and they keep coming back.

### **Miomi Game isn’t just about gaming and revenue—it’s also tackling social impact and health innovation. Can you share more about the bigger picture?**

We’re building free mini games to help detect and support conditions like ADHD, Glaucoma, and Alzheimer’s—turning everyday play into something more meaningful.

- Each game is developed with medical professionals to deliver measurable cognitive and visual benefits.
- Players can access them at no cost, making support available to anyone who needs it.
- The goal: raise awareness, offer early intervention, and keep it fun.

Prof. Dr. Dmitry Mikhaylov, an expert with 125+ papers, 27 patents, and decades of scientific leadership, is leading the charge.

It's gaming that gives back, backed by science and built for impact.

### **You’ve adopted Play2Win, a more sustainable model for gaming economies. How has that changed the gaming experience on your platform?**

Play2Win makes competitive gaming feel alive. Players don’t have to wait for big tournaments—they can enter competitive matches anytime and win real rewards. For developers, it’s a smart setup. Games start generating revenue from day one—no waiting on ads or sponsorships.

We saw this model succeed with Kick Mio, our game with Ronaldinho. It hit over 900,000 matches—more than twice CS2’s total, despite CS2 being on the platform for two years. The model works because it’s self-sustaining. Players fund prize pools, matches stay meaningful, and developers are instantly rewarded.

### **Do you think Play2Win can bridge casual Telegram gamers with hardcore eSports fans to create a community where every gamer feels challenged and rewarded?**

Absolutely! On Miomi Game, we’ve created a platform that accommodates both types of players. Play2Win allows casual gamers to jump into quick matches, earn rewards, and actually feel progress—without pressure. They don’t need to grind tournaments or go pro to get something out of the experience.

At the same time, aspiring eSports players can use Miomi Game to track their stats, build their profiles, and connect with others. It’s a real shot at growing in competitive gaming, step by step.

### **What’s next for Miomi Game? Are there new features, tournaments, or partnerships the community should be excited about?**

We’ll be introducing eFIFA and similar organizations for other games on the platform. Expect new games to be added, along with developing our own Web3 games like Kick Mio, which has already launched. We’re also rolling out therapeutic mini games, launching many tournaments, and forging massive new partnerships with even bigger stars. Stay tuned!

**Learn more about Miomi Game:**

[Telegram](https://t.me/miomigame) | [Telegram Mini App](https://t.me/MiomiGame_bot) | [X](https://x.com/miomi_game?lang=en) | [Website](https://miomi.game/)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Miomi Game

What if your everyday content could pay for your wedding? One Grably user made it happen—just by sharing photos, videos, and text they were already creating.

Grably is a platform that lets you earn crypto by submitting content for AI training. Once reviewed for quality, you’ll earn Grably tokens, which can be instantly exchanged for USDT or TON. It’s a direct, transparent way to monetize digital content while maintaining full control over what you share.

Let’s take a closer look at how Grably operates and what sets it apart from big players like OpenAI and Google.

### **How did Grably come about, and what differentiates it from conventional AI data collection methods in terms of user control and rewards?**

We developed Grably after recognizing that quality AI requires diverse human data, yet most available datasets come from large organizations collecting data without user consent or benefit.

Observing a clear gap, our team created a system allowing individuals to contribute their data and receive token rewards through a blockchain system that records each transaction transparently. Users decide what information to share and can revoke access at any time. This method returns control and direct value to contributors while offering AI developers more reliable and varied data.

### **With Grably, users complete simple tasks and get rewarded instantly. Can you walk us through how the review process works to guarantee quality and fairness, while ensuring the submitted data meets AI training standards?**

With Grably, users complete simple tasks—like sharing photos, videos, audio, or text—and are rewarded instantly with tokens. The review process blends automated scans for duplicates or low-quality submissions with human moderation to ensure every entry meets AI standards and fairness is maintained.

Once approved, tokens appear in your wallet inside the Grably Mini App on Telegram, where you can swap them for USDT with a single tap and withdraw or use them as you wish. Unlike other platforms that require long waiting periods or high minimums, Grably offers immediate cash-out.

### **Digital security and privacy are major concerns today. What measures has Grably implemented to protect user data and ensure it remains private and secure at all times?**

At Grably, digital security and privacy are our utmost priorities. We built our platform as a privacy-first AI data collection system, employing advanced measures to secure your information. Data is encrypted end-to-end, and zero-knowledge proofs allow you to verify rewards while keeping your identity confidential. Every transaction is recorded on-chain, providing clear visibility into how your data is handled.

From the outset, users actively choose what to share; there is no hidden data scraping or unauthorized collection. In addition to robust security measures, we maintain a commitment to unbiased AI by using diverse datasets and continuous oversight to spot and address any imbalances.

### **Have you received any compelling feedback or success stories from early users that underscore the positive impact Grably is having on their everyday digital interactions?**

Absolutely! People are using Grably in ways we never expected. Some regions with limited job opportunities now have an easy way to earn by contributing digital content. Others are using their earnings to cover everyday expenses like groceries, mobile data, and online subscriptions. One user even paid for their wedding entirely through Grably rewards.

### **Why did you choose TON as the blockchain to power Grably? Why did you choose Web3 and token incentives instead of traditional payments for data contributions?**

TON was the obvious choice for us. It’s fast, scalable, and built right into Telegram, where our users already are. The [TON and Telegram integration](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-web3-adoption) makes onboarding more users into Web3 seamless.

As for Web3 and token incentives, they solve a lot of problems that traditional payments can’t. With tokens, we can pay people instantly, anywhere in the world, without dealing with banking restrictions or high fees. Plus, smart contracts ensure transparency—no middlemen controlling payouts. It’s a system that’s open, fair, and efficient.

**Find Grably on:**

[Twitter (X)](https://x.com/grablyus) | [Telegram](https://t.me/grablyinc) | [Grably Mini App](https://t.me/GrablyTelegramBot) | [Website](https://grably.us/)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Grably


TON is taking the Main Stage at [Web3 Fest HK 2025](https://www.web3festival.org/hongkong2025/?lang=en#/en) as the **Title Sponsor**, with TON Day happening on **April 8, 2025**. Expect keynotes, panels, and big announcements covering DeFi, gaming, AI, meme trading, and more, all designed to showcase TON’s growth and future plans.

<button href="https://lu.ma/bs1dxf5m" passutmsource="true">
Register for TON Day
</button >

## **April 8, Main Stage**

### **Block 1 – Achievement and plan of TON in APAC**

| **Time** | **Session** | **Speaker(s)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 11:05–11:20 | Where are we now in TON’s history: from Oriental Experience | John, Head of APAC, TON Foundation |
| 11:20–11:35 | TON Society HK: empowering builders | Yuki, Hong Kong Lead, TON Society |

### **Block 2 – Next killer on TON: game, AI, or social trading?**

| **Time** | **Session** | **Speaker(s)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 11:35–11:50 | The comparison of WeChat & Telegram mini-game history | Aaron, Founder of Televerse |
| 11:50–12:15 | **Panel:** Mini-games | **Moderator:**  Kenny, Growth in APAC, TON Foundation.                                     **Guests:**  Joey, APAC BD Lead of The Open Platform; Barry, COO of Bombie; Luna, CMO of Cocos Studio; Daniel, Partner of OpenAD Protocol; Stanley, Ecosystem Partner of Debug.pet |
| 12:15–12:30 | Partnership announcement of AI LLM producing tool for TON game developers | Dr. Shen Jun, CEO of KingNet |
| 12:30–12:45 | Play2Win: onboarding 1 billion citizens to crypto made real | Tom Kopera, COO & Co-founder at Elympics |
| 12:45–13:20 | **Panel:** AI & social trading | **Moderator:** John, Head of APAC, TON Foundation. **Guests:** Allen, Founder of Star.AI; Alvin, Founder of China2U; Luis Lu, Co-founder of BitsLab/TonBit; Jason, Marketing Lead of Ave.ai; 0xLeon, Founder of KaBoom |

### **Block 3 – 2025 TON playbook**

| **Time** | **Session** | **Speaker(s)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 13:20–13:35 | TON 2025: What’s next for developers? | Alena Shmalko, Ecosystem Lead, TON Foundation |
| 13:35–13:50 | TON x Telegram: global Web3 SuperApp | Andrew Rogozov, Founder & CEO, The Open Platform |
| 13:50–14:05 | Turn your TON blockchain idea into a hit | Gleb Vorontsov, Head of Telegram Apps, TON Studio |
| 14:05–14:40 | **Panel:** What do you see in 2025? | **Moderator:** Xiu, Head of Marketing, TON Society. **Guests:** Steve Yun, Board Member, TON Foundation; Anthony Tsivarev, Director of EcoDev, TON Foundation; Jack Booth, Co-Founder, TON Society |

### **Block 4 – DeFi in your pocket**

| **Time** | **Session** | **Speaker(s)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 15:00–15:15 | Delving into DeFi roadmap | Vlad Degen, DeFi Lead, TON Foundation |
| 15:15–15:30 | Bridge between BTC & TON: tgBTC | Roman Krutovoy, Infrastructure Lead, TON Foundation |
| 15:30–15:55 | **Panel:** DeFi | **Moderator:** Vlad Degen, DeFi Lead, TON Foundation. **Guests:** Vitaliy, CMO of DeDust; Alan, Founder/CEO of Torch Finance; Vladislav Bliznik, CTO of EVAA Protocol |
| 15:55–16:10 | Institutional-grade TON liquid staking protocol | Dr. Awesome Doge, Co-founder of TonX Studio |
| 16:10–16:25 | DeFi to StarFi | Vivi, Head of Growth Asia, Storm Trade |

### **Block 5 – From hype to reality**

| **Time** | **Session** | **Speaker(s)** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 16:25–16:50 | **Panel:** Real-world applications | **Moderator:** Yuki, Hong Kong Lead, TON Society. **Guests:**  Timothy R, Founder of ShareX; Pei Liu, Founder of LinkRoad; Jonathan Chan, Co-founder and Head of Partnerships of RedotPay; Veronica Wong, CEO and Co-founder of SafePal; Jojo, Co-founder of Baza |
| 16:50–17:15 | **Panel:** Investor panel | **Moderator:**  Ian Wittkopp, Partner, TON Ventures. **Guests:** Fiona Ma, Investments and Research Lead of DWF Labs; David Ching, Investment Director of Animoca Brands; Mia Mai, Head of Portfolio at HashKey Capital |

## **Ready to experience TON Day at Web3 Fest HK?**

April 8, Main Stage. This is your front-row seat to the future of usable Web3. From expert talks and panels to exciting announcements from the brightest minds building on TON, TON Day is where the action happens.

Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and build with the TON community. See you there!

<button href="https://lu.ma/bs1dxf5m" passutmsource="true">
Register for TON Day
</button >



TON at Web3 Fest HK 2025: full agenda and speaker lineup

Ever searched for something online, only to get bombarded with ads, outdated links, and SEO spam? Husky AI, built on [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network), is trying to change that. Instead of sifting through cluttered search results, it combines Telegram content with web sources to deliver AI-generated answers—without the distractions.

With a privacy-first search model and a Search-to-Earn system, it’s testing a new approach: rewarding users for their data instead of just taking it. It’s an ambitious idea that taps into blockchain and AI, raising big questions about the future of search, digital privacy, and Web3 incentives.

### **What motivated the development of an AI search engine for Telegram and TON?**

We noticed that people were getting lost in Google ads and outdated content, while Telegram—used by a billion people—wasn’t even indexed. At the same time, users had to jump between different AI tools and pay for it separately just to use basic features.

For example, Grok indexes web and X posts, and will likely never support using other AI models. We wanted to build something more flexible and useful: a single platform that combines Telegram (a massive source of real-time, local, and community-driven content) with web data for smarter search. On top of that, Husky AI gives users access to other popular models like Grok, ChatGPT, Claude, and our own unique Husky model—all in one place. This is especially helpful in regions where some popular AI tools aren’t officially available.

### **You’ve positioned Husky AI as an alternative to traditional search engines. Beyond just indexing Telegram content, what fundamental changes have you introduced to how search works? And how does this give users an advantage over using, say, Google?**

Instead of loading search results with ads, we focus on quick, AI-powered web and Telegram summaries. This approach cuts through SEO fluff and clutter, so users get direct answers without all the distractions Google throws at them (including data selling).

Husky also gives you access to all the top AI models, like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, plus its own unique model, all in one place. No need to switch between apps or pay for multiple subscriptions.

With a privacy-first design and a Search-to-Earn system, Husky AI rewards users for their data instead of just collecting it. It’s a bold mix of blockchain and AI that’s rethinking how we search, use AI, and get value online.

### **TON integration is a big part of your value proposition. How does Husky AI integrate TON’s technology?**

TON’s infrastructure lets us handle two critical pieces: secure transactions and user rewards. When you search, smart contracts manage things like token payouts or payments for premium features—all transparently recorded on-chain. TON’s infrastructure is crucial for our Search-to-Earn model, where opting into ads earns you tokens, compensating you for your attention rather than profiting from your data without your benefit.

The key here is choice: you control what data you share, and ads become opt-in opportunities rather than intrusions.

Traditional platforms silently monetize your activity. We flip that by tying rewards directly to your decisions. Even payments for API access or removing ads use the same token system, so everything stays decentralized and user-owned. It’s a way to make search feel less like a transaction and more like a partnership.

### **Building an AI-powered search engine isn’t easy. What’s been the toughest challenge so far?**

The most significant challenge has been balancing robust AI analysis for response accuracy with stringent privacy protections. While AI requires data to improve, we are committed to collecting only what is necessary to maintain user trust. To enhance accuracy, Husky AI indexes channel content rather than individual chats, updating every 20 minutes from over 100,000 channels to create a reliable dataset. We also apply strict indexing criteria to filter out low-quality or spam channels.

Soon, Husky AI will introduce a fact-checking feature. Users will have two options: they can either ask Husky directly or forward a Telegram post to our bot. The feature will cross-reference trusted web sources and relevant Telegram channel data to indicate whether the information is "fake" or "true."

### **Do you think AI-driven tools like Husky AI will become a core part of decentralized ecosystems, or is there still a long way to go?**

Absolutely—decentralized search is the future, but we’re still paving the road there. Right now, people are unhappy with Google’s surveillance-style ads and manipulative algorithms. They’re ready for alternatives that respect their privacy and actually reward them. That’s where Husky AI fits in.

However, we still need to show users why decentralized search is better, not just different. And the tech itself has to be seamless enough that anyone can use it.

The demand is there. The tools are getting there. Now it’s about bridging the gap—making decentralized search so intuitive and valuable that leaving the old system feels like an upgrade, not a compromise. That’s the mission.

### **Grok AI is now on Telegram too. Does this affect your strategy, and how does Husky AI stand out?**

The launch of Grok shows that more people want AI inside the Telegram ecosystem, but it doesn’t change our plan.

First, Grok focuses on its own model and integration with X content, while Husky AI creates a multi-model ecosystem centered on Telegram and TON.

Second, Husky AI isn't just access to one model, it's access to all the best AI models, including Husky, Grok, ChatGPT, Claude, in a single platform without any geographical restrictions. Our users have the ability to ask all models the same question at once and compare their answers, giving them a more complete picture.

### **What’s next for Husky AI? How do you see the platform evolving in the next year, and what new features should users be excited about?**

We recently launched our [web application](https://app.husky.gg/login) and plan to expand its business features and integrate more AI agents to handle specialized tasks. Users can expect deeper Telegram indexing, new models, additional languages, and more ways to earn tokens.

### **Finally, for someone new to Husky AI, what’s the one thing you want them to take away from this conversation?**

If you’re new to Husky AI, remember this: search should work for you, not the other way around. We combine Telegram and the web to deliver fast, AI-powered answers—without the usual privacy trade-offs. The old search model is over 20 years old, built for a different internet. It’s time for something smarter: search faster, keep your data private, and even earn rewards.

**Learn more about Husky AI:**

[Website](https://husky.gg/) | [Telegram](https://t.me/huskyaiapp) | [Telegram Mini App](https://t.me/huskysearchbot)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Husky AI

# Play2Win: The evolution of Web3 gaming?

Web3 gaming has a problem—rewards that fizzle out too soon. Play-to-Earn (P2E) promised a future where gamers could generate income through their passion. Many P2E games, however, proved unsuccessful because poorly designed mechanics prevented long-term success.

These projects often distributed free crypto without a sustainable business model, leading to inflation and diminishing crypto value. As players exploited these mechanisms by farming and quickly selling crypto, developers found it difficult to maintain sustained interest, resulting in a rapid decline in active user bases.

This focus on short-term perks can frustrate players and developers when the thrill wears off. Far from building a strong community of long-term holders, short-term airdrop hunters pollute the real community with constant “Wen TGE?” requests, rushing developers to launch a token without having any real plan to sustain its value. Long-term engagement tends to take a backseat, and the financial perks often go little further than a single event or a handful of drops.

## What is Play2Win?

Play2Win is an emerging movement in TON’s GameFi landscape that features multiplayer tournaments where players compete against each other to earn crypto. If players enjoy the game, more players join, increasing the size of the prize pool. As more players join the tournament, the more asymmetric the win can become. Most of the prize pool goes to the winners, and a portion is distributed to the game developer, creating a sustainable revenue source for games. Crucially, this revenue source doesn’t rely on giving away free money or speculation on a crypto asset. Just that players enjoy playing the game and winning against their friends.

### How Play2Win works

1. **Multiplayer tournaments** – Players enter tournaments or challenges that they find fun. Entry fees and engagement activities contribute to the prize pools, with each contest increasing the overall reward potential.
2. **User-funded prize pools** – Players who top the leaderboard win crypto. Winnings come from user demand to play the game.
3. **Viral referral links** – More competition results in larger prize pools and consistent rewards, viral referral links that invite more players to join tournaments keep tournaments growing and players coming back for more fun.

This new model shows signs of sustainability, but will it succeed? Let’s explore additional insights before examining how Play2Win is unfolding on TON.

### The growing force of skill-based gaming – $34 billion and counting

Skill-based gaming draws an enthusiastic crowd. It boasts a [$34 billion](https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/skill-gaming-market) valuation and a growth rate (CAGR) of [13.50%](https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/skill-gaming-market), far beyond standard mobile titles of [5.57%](https://www.statista.com/outlook/amo/media/games/mobile-games/worldwide?currency=USD). Thanks to strong monetization and compelling gameplay, skill-based gaming has the potential to expand at six times the pace of traditional gaming.

Many games rely on centralized revenue collection, yet placing them on-chain will spark fresh opportunities. Players benefit from transparent mechanics and creative reward structures, often driving strong adoption.

Traditional models tend to keep profits locked within closed systems, so a blockchain-based approach can invite broader participation and unique incentives. Skill-focused contests appear headed for unstoppable momentum, and forecasts indicate sustained demand for experiences that reward reflexes and cunning strategy.

### Telegram and TON’s unique advantage – worldwide distribution

Telegram-based projects demonstrate the power of chat-driven growth, rapidly attracting millions of users. Tap2Earn games like [Hamster Kombat](https://t.me/hamster_kombat) and [Notcoin](https://t.me/notcoin_bot) proved Telegram’s reach, but their free-to-play models led to repetitive engagement driven mainly by airdrop speculation. With over [40 million subscribers](https://t.me/hamster_kombat) in Hamster Kombat alone, these projects highlight the vast potential for onboarding users. However, without sustainable mechanics, they fail to retain players long-term.

By contrast, Play2Win shifts toward a pay-to-play, skill-based multiplayer format that prioritizes competition and immediate rewards over passive grinding. This model could help sustain engagement while capitalizing on Telegram’s massive audience.

The question is: can Play2Win generate the kind of trading activity seen in Solana’s memecoin markets? Memecoins accounted for an estimated **30% of all decentralized exchange volume in 2024**, so averaged **$15 billion** in monthly trades. Matching that would require attracting 150 million users willing to spend **$100 per month** on tournaments.

Some TON-based apps have already reached impressive user numbers. [Tonkeeper](https://t.me/tonkeeper_news) boasts over **70 million monthly active users**, and [Wallet](https://t.me/wallet) has approximately **100 million active users**, proving that large-scale adoption is achievable. However, converting this scale into paying participants remains the primary challenge. While existing Tap2Earn models struggled to monetize their reach, Play2Win’s focus on **skill-based incentives and viral engagement** could encourage more consistent spending.

The real test is whether improved game quality and meaningful rewards can replicate the **hyper-engagement of memecoin speculation**. Telegram’s distribution power is unmatched, enabling projects to achieve in weeks what others take years to build. Play2Win games could create a sustainable, high-volume gaming economy rivaling memecoin market volume, but bettering them with transparent, consistent rewards instead of hype-fueled speculation.

## Play2Win on TON

### [Onton x Elympics](https://t.me/tonsociety/835)

Over the past week, Onton x Elympics announced its new Play2Win model.

[Onton](https://onton.live/) x [Elympics](https://www.elympics.ai/) recently launched [‘Play2Win’](https://t.me/tonsociety/835), a mini-game tournament ecosystem that lives directly in [Onton](http://t.me/theontonbot). Play2Win is a live stream of multiplayer tournaments that anyone can join to win crypto by playing casual games. This integration is powered by Elympics’ plug-and-play infrastructure that turns any Web2 game into a Web3 game with crypto prize pools, multiplayer tournaments, and viral referral links.

- **Play** – Join skill-based contests hosted on Onton, TON’s largest events platform. Compete in multiplayer tournaments where performance—not financial input—determines success.
- **Win Crypto** – Elympics ensures provable fairness through on-chain protocols. Players can win crypto rewards from prize pools while developers integrate better monetization models.
- **Repeat** – Use NFT-based ticketing by Onton to enter new tournaments, track rankings on on-chain leaderboards, and keep playing to climb the standings and claim more rewards.

### [MIOMI Game](https://miomi.game/)

MIOMI Game is a Web3 eSports arena. The platform lets you create and fund tournaments in Toncoin to play some of the world's most successful competitive games. Counter Strike, DOTA, Call of Duty, and FIFA are all games you can now play against friends to win Toncoin. There are already some impressive early results, signalling how big this space can be:

- $84M+ in prize pools created by users and $1.68M+ in platform revenue
- 3.28M+ matches played
- 600K registered users, 150K new wallets on TON generated, with 70K monthly active wallets

Getting started is simple: go to the website or [mini app](http://miomigame_bot/), set up a tournament, fund it and begin playing. Once the game is finished, return to the site and have both sides agree to the result to release the winnings.

## Get in the game

Play2Win focuses on creating fun competition with user funded prize pools. Tournaments and matches drive rewards, creating an experience that remains attractive over time. The system recycles earnings through buybacks and prize pools, giving players consistent payouts while encouraging developers to build games that attract and retain an active community.

**Web3 gaming has been crying out for sustainable revenue models. Can this be it?**

**Pay to play, Play to win.**

Play2Win: The evolution of Web3 gaming?

Remember when NFTs were deader than your high school group chat? Well, they’re back. But this time on TON—affordable, fast, and actually useful, not just $69 million JPEGs collecting digital dust.

While some of you are still waiting for your $100,000 PFP to pay for a villa in Bali, [TON and Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-exclusive-partnership-2025) have been cooking. Let’s get into it.

## **What are TON NFTs?**

TON NFTs are digital assets with real utility on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. They’re plugged into Telegram, the go-to messaging app for [over a billion people](https://t.me/durov/404).

Transactions are fast and low-cost, without headache-inducing setups, gas wars, or the need to sell a kidney. This makes TON NFTs one of the most accessible and practical blockchain-based assets available today—and many iconic IPs like Pudgy Penguins and Flappy Bird, are already on board (*and selling out)*.

 ![image (9).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_9_50563f0ee7/image_9_50563f0ee7.png) 

## **Types of NFTs on TON—and where to find them**

### **1. NFT Gifts 🎁**

 ![image.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_c698166ea3/image_c698166ea3.png) 
*Plush Pepe Gifts collection on Getgems*.

NFT Gifts are Telegram-issued digital presents with real value. You can buy them directly on Telegram or on secondary marketplaces like [Getgems](https://getgems.io/top-gifts), [Fragment](https://fragment.com/gifts), or [Tonnel](https://market.tonnel.network/).

### **Buy Gifts with Telegram Stars on Telegram**

To buy Gifts on the Telegram app, tap **Settings** > **Send a Gift**. You can buy a Gift for yourself or send one to a friend.

 ![image (1).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_1_70c7af2b4e/image_1_70c7af2b4e.png) 

*Gifts on Telegram*

Once owned, Gifts appear on your Telegram profile. They can be upgraded to collectibles, unlocking special attributes designed by Telegram artists. Upgrading a Gift costs a small amount of Telegram Stars, which cover blockchain fees.

 ![image (2).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_2_727b9e732d/image_2_727b9e732d.png) 

*Source: [Telegram](https://telegram.org/blog/collectible-gifts-and-more)*

Gifts that have been upgraded to collectibles can be “worn” as a unique emoji status.

**Settings** > **My Profile** > **Gifts**. Select a Gift, then tap **Wear**.

 ![image (3).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_3_0a06a2a3bb/image_3_0a06a2a3bb.png) 

*Source: [Telegram](https://telegram.org/blog/wear-gifts-blockchain-and-more)*

They can also be moved to the blockchain to be traded on secondary marketplaces after 14 days.

**Settings** > **My Profile** > **Gifts**. Select a Gift, then tap **Transfer** > **Send via Blockchain**.

 ![image (4).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_4_53c8b528a8/image_4_53c8b528a8.png) 

*Source: [Telegram](https://telegram.org/blog/wear-gifts-blockchain-and-more)*

### **Buy Gifts with Toncoin (TON) on NFT marketplaces**

Secondary marketplaces offer more choice and control when buying NFT Gifts. On platforms like [Getgems](https://getgems.io/top-gifts), [Fragment](https://fragment.com/gifts), and [Tonnel](https://market.tonnel.network/), you can browse collections, compare rarity, and grab Gifts that are no longer available on Telegram.

Simply head to your preferred marketplace, connect your TON wallet, explore available Gifts, and buy with TON. Gifts purchased on secondary marketplaces can be sent back to Telegram and displayed on your profile.

### **Stake Gifts on Tonnel**

If you’re in it for the long haul, certain NFT Gifts—like Durov’s Caps, Vintage Cigars, and Berry Boxes—can now be [staked on Tonnel](https://x.com/s0meone_u_know/status/1901968815753228689), letting you earn passive rewards while holding onto your collectibles.

[](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcJ3aCrN4YWotBAp6r0O0vCQo91Lz25YzK9w7zj4ia_7FVgJKIYj76ax4IXjcmh9veaEqtlmr3IQ0GyBDxgtpz8vux3DYSzqzYm6rCA53ZHMNbCG7lyQ3eBrtrJwtPHAcBSyp2Y9A?key=Oxakf0WIX0iqn8okx9EFWgeq)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pavel Durov spent 10,000 TON ($34,500) buying up Telegram NFT Gifts! <br><br>He has now got an all gold Digital Flex!<br><br>His Social Staking just went up 📈 <a href="https://t.co/RoztJdLCO4">pic.twitter.com/RoztJdLCO4</a></p>&mdash; Zenith 🩶 (@ZenithTON) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZenithTON/status/1901601250065396164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### **2. NFT Stickers 🐥**
 ![image (5).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_5_1868da6b86/image_5_1868da6b86.png) 

*Sold out Pudgy Penguins Sticker collection in Sticker Store.*

NFT Stickers are limited-edition digital sticker packs that you can own and send in Telegram chats. You can buy them with [Telegram Stars](https://blog.ton.org/telegram-stars-and-ton-ecosystem), $TON, $NOT, $DOGS, $USDT, or $PX in the [Sticker Store](https://t.me/sticker_bot) Mini App, built by Notcoin and DOGS.

Soon, they’ll be minted on TON Blockchain, enabling verifiable ownership and trading on secondary marketplaces.

Big-name Web2 IPs like South Korea’s Pucca and Russia’s Smeshariki are already in on it, bringing fans into the TON ecosystem.

[](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXe90LGRf_-A8_2I5M4781PTIpRL785mUpUKnRpYRsTsnWqgaweQIL4DLtmMeHZhXPr3zvLXNm-WbkWe5iq2LYw1ork1sV70pnUj3GFao4jmUx2yT41N8Zm4yFioIjhEwepAqW-yMw?key=Oxakf0WIX0iqn8okx9EFWgeq)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pudgy is one of the best NFT collections.<br><br>Luca Netz, one of the best builders, is the founder of Pudgy Penguins.<br><br>Now, he&#39;s giving us the next alpha:<br>Telegram stickers on <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24TON&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$TON</a>.<br>I&#39;d add NFT Gifts there also.<br><br>It&#39;s much bigger than we imagine.<br><br>Study and stay positioned. <a href="https://t.co/tA3j4YdJOS">pic.twitter.com/tA3j4YdJOS</a></p>&mdash; Gio (@Giooton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Giooton/status/1899067441415680061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### **3. Usernames, anonymous numbers, domains 🆔**

Usernames, anonymous numbers, and domain NFTs are TON-based assets that provide ownership, privacy, and utility across Telegram and Web3.

Username NFTs are unique @handles that serve as your Telegram identity and TON Blockchain address. They can be assigned to personal profiles, groups, or channels, enhancing discoverability within the Telegram community.

 ![image (6).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_6_eb1d3a005e/image_6_eb1d3a005e.png) 

*Username NFTs on Fragment.*

Anonymous number NFTs are fully private, blockchain-based phone numbers that can be used to create Telegram accounts without a SIM card, ensuring greater privacy.
 ![image (7).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_7_b861db7961/image_7_b861db7961.png) 

*Anonymous Number NFTs on Fragment.*

DNS domains on TON are NFT-based “.ton” addresses that simplify crypto transactions by replacing long wallet strings with easy-to-read names, similar to Ethereum’s ENS domains (example.eth). They can be assigned to crypto wallets and smart contracts or used to host decentralized websites.

 ![image (8).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_8_a805cbb034/image_8_a805cbb034.png) 

*TON DNS Domains on Getgems.*

These NFTs can be bought and sold on marketplaces like Getgems and Fragment.

### **4. OG NFT collections 💎**

Before NFT Stickers and Gifts, there were the OGs—NOT Wise, Lost Dogs, and TON Punks. These early collections remain icons of TON’s NFT scene, holding significance as the first movers. Collect them on Getgems.

 ![image.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_15deef77b0/image_15deef77b0.jpg) 

*NOT Wise, Lost Dogs, and TON Punks NFTs on Getgems (and yes, I right-click saved to make this collage).*

### **5. SBTs (Soulbound Tokens) 🏅**

[SBTs](https://blog.ton.org/sbt-campaigns-incentives) are non-transferrable NFTs designed for on-chain verification, credentials, and access. Unlike regular NFTs, SBTs are issued by projects and cannot be bought, sold, or transferred—once issued, they remain permanently tied to your wallet.

These tokens can be earned by participating in TON ecosystem events, campaigns, surveys, and other community-driven initiatives. For the latest opportunities, check out [TON Society](https://society.ton.org/activities/active).

 ![image (1).jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_1_522d004d95/image_1_522d004d95.jpg) 

*TON SBTs*

## **The NFT comeback is here**

So, there you have it—TON NFTs aren’t just another JPEG crying in your wallet. They’re back, better, and genuinely useful. If you’ve been hibernating through the NFT winter, it’s time to wake up. You’re still early to what could be the next big shift in NFTs.

Where to start? Set up a TON-compatible wallet like [Wallet](https://t.me/wallet), [Tonkeeper](https://t.me/tonkeeper), or [MyTonWallet](https://t.me/MyTonWalletBot), grab some TON, and start exploring GetGems, Fragment, and Tonnel.

DYOR, don’t FOMO your rent, and enjoy being part of the NFT revival.

[](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfUGewr3AsSEwX8VQuaV4SO4idKXGXBRUefySiUWqXhmqPN0HVXzH1Pn4GG1oLBMZlMaXmYLsfcaF5Cc45o-rfBye8rNZiOtzjpP1FdJ8x9sJW0xEHhHUui9S5aieEADSM1Z6a4bA?key=Oxakf0WIX0iqn8okx9EFWgeq)

*<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NFTs on TON have early BAYC Vibes</p>&mdash; EthanDG (@0xEthanDG) <a href="https://twitter.com/0xEthanDG/status/1899171840053944680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>*

---
***Disclaimer:** The Open Network (TON) does not promote, support, or endorse any third-party cryptocurrency projects, tokens, or initiatives. Any claims of affiliation or endorsement by TON are false and should be disregarded. Participants are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research and exercise caution when engaging with third-party projects or platforms. TON assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions, investments, or decisions made in relation to such projects.*

How to buy, sell, and use TON NFTs

The Open Network Foundation ([TON Foundation](https://ton.foundation/en)) today disclosed over $400M in Toncoin has been purchased from early investors by some of the world’s most influential and forward-thinking venture capital firms focused on blockchain technology. Prominent investors include Sequoia Capital, Ribbit, Benchmark and Kingsway. Vy Capital, Draper Associates, and Libertus Capital are also key backers, alongside CoinFund, Hypersphere, SkyBridge, and Karatage.

TON Blockchain’s decentralized architecture powers one of the fastest, most scalable, and most resilient blockchains within the space. Its robust network capabilities have earned the attention and interest of institutional investors globally. Additionally, TON Foundation’s strategic partnerships provide strong support for the expansion of TON’s ecosystem and have further bolstered its position as an industry leader.

In January, [TON Foundation strengthened its partnership with Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-exclusive-partnership-2025), which saw TON become the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s Mini Apps Ecosystem. This partnership enhances support for Telegram’s global user base — which significantly exceeds 1 billion monthly active users — by providing, among other things, the foundational infrastructure for essential financial applications upon which Telegram’s users rely. From seamless payments for goods, services and other applications, TON’s robust blockchain ensures users can access fast, secure, and efficient financial tools within Telegram’s ecosystem.

## **Capitalizing on a year of major milestones**

Over the past year, TON Blockchain has experienced tremendous growth, with active accounts growing from 4 million to 41 million and Toncoin surpassing 121 million unique holders. During this time, the number of Toncoin holders has exceeded the number of wallets holding Bitcoin, and TON apps grew into some of the world’s most-used crypto applications, demonstrating the immense potential of Telegram’s distribution.

Looking ahead, TON Foundation is now setting its sights on onboarding 30 percent of active Telegram users to TON Blockchain by 2028. This will be driven by four key verticals: attracting users through Telegram’s native IP, such as stickers, gifts, and on-chain collectibles; introducing engaging and rewarding multiplayer mini-games; providing DeFi solutions for easy-to-use savings options that offer sustainable returns; and creating practical payment applications that provide real-world utility for crypto holdings.

## **Quotes from industry leaders**

*Shaun Maguire, Partner, at Sequoia Capital*: “The TON team is the best in the world at the intersection of consumer product thinking and crypto infrastructure. When you combine this with the global distribution of Telegram, we’re very excited to see where they go.”

*Micky Malka, Founder, at Ribbit*: “Ribbit partners with exceptional teams tackling and solving the world’s biggest problems. TON and Telegram exemplify this, working together to expand financial access globally by coupling the best technology with a seamless consumer experience.”

*Peter Fenton, Partner at Benchmark*: “Telegram’s user base, which is expected to grow to over 1.5 billion through 2030, creates an unprecedented opportunity in the history of humanity to provide ubiquitous financial flows that have been limited until now to information flows, TON provides the backbone for human-scale democratization of financial activity.”

*Tim Draper, Founder of Draper Associates*: “I’ve been a long-time believer in the potential of blockchain to disrupt traditional industries and systems. TON’s technology is highly impressive, and its integration with Telegram provides it with a distribution that no other blockchain can match.”

*Alex Felix, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at CoinFund*: “The TON ecosystem has huge potential energy and a significant distribution advantage, especially in gaming, stablecoin payments and remittances.  As exemplified through our investment in StonFi, CoinFund continues to be bullish on the growth of the TON ecosystem as a whole and the opportunities ahead for the Foundation.”

TON Foundation discloses leading VCs invest over $400M in Toncoin

Web3 gaming isn’t a distance promise—it’s happening right now on TON. With low fees, [Telegram-native reach,](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-web3-adoption) and seamless blockchain integration, **TON is turning simple games into full-fledged digital economies.**

Backed by a team with deep Web2 gaming experience, [True World](https://ton.app/en/games/truecoin?id=2308) ditches the mindless grind for **strategy, community, and real rewards,** pulling in **2M+ players.** From clan battles to city conquests, it layers competitive gameplay, NFT integration, and a player-driven economy into an experience that keeps players coming back.

We spoke with the True World team to learn more about their vision, gameplay mechanics, and what’s next. Let’s dive in.

### **Hello True World. Welcome to TON Innovators! Let’s start with a brief introduction. What is True World? What are the differences between True World and Truecoin?**

Truecoin is the MVP for True World, serving as a testing ground for game mechanics and user engagement. Built as a **tap-to-earn game** on Telegram, it lets players tap to win, complete challenges, and join clans for community events, all while earning rewards.

The in-game currency, Truecoin, can be traded for TRUE tokens, bridging Web2 and Web3 audiences. Players can also craft and trade NFTs in the marketplace or use them to generate income, with upcoming updates introducing village attacks, character creation, and skill upgrades for a deeper gameplay experience.

True World, on the other hand, is a much broader narrative. It’s a **full-fledged metaverse** with its own story and aesthetic. True World unites various gaming genres, social interactions, and economic mechanisms.

### **Truecoin has grown into a core element of True World. Could you share the story behind its creation and how it has developed from a simple tapping game into a multifaceted platform within the broader metaverse?**

Truecoin was conceived as something more than just a simple tap-to-earn game. We understood user pain points from the start. Players needed a **deeper and more engaging experience**, and that’s exactly what we specialized in within our Web2 business.

Initially, Truecoin allowed players to earn in-game currency, but in its second phase, we expanded mechanics to include **USDT earnings, RWA rewards, clans, world exploration, and city conquests**.

Another crucial factor was that we already had **over 2.5 million active Web2 players** from our own gaming studio. The idea of developing a Web3 game based on our existing Web2 successes, integrating corporate business models, and onboarding traditional gamers into blockchain was once a distant dream—now a reality.

### **What are some of the challenges you experienced while planning for and developing Truecoin, and how did you and your team overcome them? Are there any lessons you can give to developers from your experience?**

One of the biggest challenges was creating a **sustainable game economy** that balanced rewards and player engagement. We experimented with different token distribution models to prevent inflation and maintain the value of in-game assets.

Another major challenge was explaining **the lore and mechanics of True World** to users. We have **over 45 AAA+ games**, meaning **45+ unique worlds** exist within True World. This was overwhelming for new players, so we had to **simplify the mechanics**, introduce an intuitive **onboarding process**, and guide users step by step.

Here’s what we learned along the way:

- **Economy matters more than hype**: Don’t chase short-term gains; build a sustainable model.
- **Educate your users**: Create an onboarding system if your mechanics are complex.
- **Think about scalability**: If your product grows quickly, ensure your infrastructure is flexible.

### **While earning coins by tapping may sound simple, True World introduces layers of strategic elements like clan management, NFT asset trading, and competitive events. Give us a practical example of how these work together to make the gameplay more interesting and fun.**

True World combines the simplicity of clicking with strategic elements:

### **1. Team play & leaderboard system**

Players can **build clans** and participate in daily competitions:

- The **top-ranking team** wins **status cards**, which provide special perks (monthly bonuses, discounts, exclusive NFTs).
- **Status card tiers**: The higher the rank, the more powerful the benefits.

### **2. Game economy & NFT assets**

- **NFT crafting system**: Players collect resources and craft unique NFTs that enhance their gameplay.
- **Real-world economy**: Assets can be bought and sold for **real money**, making participation highly rewarding.

### **3. Gamification & engagement**

To keep players engaged, we introduced a **progressive motivation system**:

- **Missions & quests**: Completing tasks unlocks new opportunities.
- **Economic strategies**: Players can invest resources, trade NFTs, and earn by analyzing the market.

### **4. Future updates: City conquests**

A **new gameplay layer** is in development, allowing clans to **conquer cities**. This will introduce additional strategies and make the game even more competitive.

To encourage player engagement, three key factors must come together:

- **Motivation**: Why should they do it?
- **Ability**: Do they have the resources?
- **Trigger**: How do we remind them?

### **In what ways does Truecoin contribute to strengthening TON Blockchain’s ecosystem, and how do you see this evolving as more players and developers join the network?**

Truecoin is crucial in expanding the TON ecosystem by creating **high user activity and a sustainable in-game economy**. Here’s how:

### **1. High transaction volume on TON**

- In-game transactions are processed on TON, ensuring **consistent demand for the network**.
- TON is ideal for gaming microtransactions, thanks to its low fees and high speed.

### **2. Onboarding Web2 players into Web3**

- Truecoin acts as a **bridge between Web2 and Web3**.
- Through gamification, users **learn blockchain technologies** and start using TON wallets seamlessly.
- Integration with **TRUE Wallet** simplifies asset and NFT management.

### **3. Attracting third-party developers**

In the future, we plan to **open the ecosystem to external developers**, providing SDKs and tools to create **new game mods, NFTs, and DeFi integrations**.

### **What upcoming features or events can the Truecoin community look forward to?**

We have several exciting updates on the horizon! We’re preparing to launch a **Mystery Box event**, where players can win high-value NFTs and larger token rewards. Additionally, we are working on a new **clan battle system**, which will introduce even more thrilling community competitions and collaborative gameplay.

[Website](https://true.world/) | [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/TRUExWorld) | [Telegram](https://t.me/trueworld)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*



TON Innovators: True World

To the MOO is where Telegram’s mass adoption meets Bitcoin, letting users farm their first Bitcoin through social engagement, strategy, and gamified rewards. TON’s mission is to onboard 500 million users to the [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network) ecosystem by 2028, and and To the MOO is driving this by distributing Bitcoin to everyone on Telegram.

For those seeking practical ways to explore Bitcoin on TON through interactive gaming, To the MOO offers a new approach, redefining crypto interaction with gamification and innovation.

### **Let’s start with how To the MOO came to be. How did the idea for To the MOO come together, and how has the journey unfolded so far? What gap in Web3 gaming are you aiming to fill?**

To the MOO aims to bridge Web2 and Web3 by making Bitcoin farming as easy as gaming and as social as chatting. As the first [Telegram Mini App](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps) to let users earn Bitcoin, we’re making BTC game fun, social, and accessible to everyone.

Our goal is to become the Bitcoin Social Layer for the TON ecosystem—where BTC isn’t just held but actively farmed, staked, and grown.  We believe Telegram is the best platform to realize this vision and TON's tgBTC inspired us to create this project. Instead of Tap to Earn or complex DeFi, we’re gamifying Bitcoin adoption with skill-based gameplay and social engagements.

### **The gameplay mechanics, like the role counter system and multi-role battles, seem interesting. What was the creative process behind designing these features, and how do they shape player engagement?**

Our approach was simple: we embraced the concept of "Skill to Earn"—making winning be all about strategy, performance, and experience, not just tapping. The Role Counter System and Multi-Role Battles were designed to turn every match into a dynamic battlefield where players can outsmart, team up, or even backstab each other.

With roles like Warrior, Mage, and Ranger, players must adapt and strategize in real-time—making every decision count. The result is a fast-paced social chess game that keeps players coming back for more. It’s not just about earning Bitcoin; it’s about proving your skill and enjoying the ride.

### **Concerning the experience a new user might have on To the MOO; how do you blend gameplay with introducing them to Bitcoin on TON and DeFi concepts?**

To the MOO makes learning about Bitcoin and DeFi seamless and fun by integrating these concepts directly into gameplay. New users can farm tgBTC, stake tgBTC, and join tournaments without needing to understand complex DeFi mechanics upfront.

With [tgBTC](https://blog.ton.org/testnet-is-here-be-the-first-to-mint-tg-btc) mainnet launching soon, BTC staking on TON is coming faster than you think—early movers get the edge. We launched a tgBTC campaign that provides an easy entry point into earning BTC, making the process straightforward and rewarding. Social features like Red Envelope Sharing and KOL Private Rooms turn learning into a social experience—helping users pick up DeFi concepts naturally as they play. In short, To the MOO educates users on Bitcoin and DeFi while they’re too busy having fun to notice.

As part of the tgBTC campaign, we’ve already purchased two BTC and are ready to use them as collateral to mint tgBTC once it goes online. The tgBTC will be sent to the users’ wallets, and we will allow them to withdraw. So far, during the campaign, we have already distributed tgBTC to 115,703 players, and 76,542 players got the tgBTC Skin in the campaign (with which they will share the total prize pool of two tgBTC).

### **You chose to build on TON and integrate tgBTC instead of native BTC. What made TON the right fit, and why did you opt for tgBTC? What new possibilities does this open up for your community?**

TON’s [scalable DeFi](https://blog.ton.org/scalable-defi-in-ton), low fees, and efficient gas mechanism make DeFi activities like staking and yield farming accessible to everyday users. Meanwhile, TON Connect simplifies onboarding, allowing users to earn and stake BTC effortlessly. tgBTC not only brings Bitcoin to TON but also opens up possibilities like yield farming, staking, and DeFi collaborations—making Bitcoin a productive asset within the ecosystem.

---

***Note:** TON Teleport BTC testnet is live. [Click here](https://blog.ton.org/testnet-is-here-be-the-first-to-mint-tg-btc) to learn how to mint tgBTC. Stay updated with the latest tgBTC news here: https://t.me/tgbtc_news.*

### **It sounds like community engagement is a big part of what you do. What initiatives do you have to increase and sustain community engagement within the game and across your social channels?**

Our strategy is simple: rewards attract users, users drive revenue, and revenue funds even bigger rewards. This boosts in-game transactions, generating revenue that could be reinvested into $MOO buybacks and more rewards—creating a sustainable cycle of growth. In Q2, the new Role Counter System and Multi-Role Strategy modes will enhance this loop, rewarding tactical gameplay and making the cycle even stronger.

[$MOO](https://x.com/TothemooFarm/status/1898010750645354952) tokens are built to empower the community, with 69% of the supply allocated to drive long term growth. Revenue generated may be used for buybacks, which could help enhance value, support price stability, and reward active participants.

$MOO holders also govern the MOO Vault, controlling profits and incentives—making the community a key part of the game’s evolution.

### **Finally, what do you have in store? What are your future plans and what should the community be excited about?**

**Before:** We kicked off with the tgBTC Campaign, making Bitcoin farming simple and fun.

**Now:** We’ve added exclusive MOO Skins, MILK Boxes, and tournaments for skill-based Bitcoin rewards.

**Future:** After tgBTC’s mainnet launch, players will be able stake tgBTC for rewards.

**Endgame?** Transforming Telegram into the ultimate BTC Chill Farm—where you can farm, stake, and earn Bitcoin effortlessly.

To the MOO is just getting started!

**Find To the MOO on:**

[Twitter (X)](https://x.com/tothemoofarm) | [Telegram](https://t.me/tothemoo_bot/) | [Docs](https://to-the-moo.gitbook.io/to-the-moo)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: To the MOO

Meet Aqua Protocol, a decentralized finance platform built on TON.

Aqua Protocol introduces an alternative method for minting AquaUSD, an overcollateralized stablecoin, by allowing users to secure liquidity without liquidating their crypto holdings. The platform supports borrowing, yield strategies, and stable swaps, providing an alternative to centralized stablecoins like USDT. Its design offers a practical solution for accessing liquidity and managing risk, contributing to a more robust financial system on [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network).

This interview offers a closer look into the vision behind Aqua Protocol, how AquaUSD works, and what’s next for the protocol.

### **Could you give a quick rundown of Aqua Protocol for anyone hearing about it for the first time?**

Aqua Protocol is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform built on TON that enables users to mint AquaUSD, an overcollateralized stablecoin, by locking up their assets (liquid staking tokens, low-risk LP tokens, and in the future, RWA). It provides a way to access liquidity without selling crypto holdings and withdrawing from yield strategies. It serves as a key liquidity layer for TON, supporting borrowing, yield strategies, and stable swaps DeFi. It also allows users to make spot leverage (looping).

### **Can you tell us about the team driving Aqua Protocol? What inspired you to build this, and what’s your collective experience in blockchain and DeFi that’s shaping this vision?**

The Aqua Protocol team consists of experienced blockchain developers, DeFi experts, and startup builders with a strong track record in the industry. The team has worked on multiple blockchain and DeFi projects and CDP stablecoin solutions on other chains. Aqua was born out of the need for a decentralized stablecoin native to the TON ecosystem, providing users with an alternative to centralized stable assets like USDT.

### **With several blockchain options in the blockchain ecosystem, why did you choose to build on TON?**

TON was chosen due to its high scalability, security, and deep integration with Telegram, which provides access to a massive user base. The ecosystem lacked a decentralized stablecoin, and AquaUSD fills this gap by offering a natively issued, fully overcollateralized stable asset that enhances the liquidity and functionality of DeFi on TON.

### **Aqua Protocol offers a new way to earn stablecoins without impermanent loss. Can you break down how the AquaUSD/USDT liquidity pool works and why it’s attractive to users?**

The AquaUSD/USDT liquidity pool on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like [DeDust](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-sponsor-series-dedust) allows users to earn yield without impermanent loss since both assets are pegged to the dollar. Liquidity providers earn fees from swaps and can receive additional incentives through Aqua Protocol’s reward program (now rewards in USDT), making it a safe and attractive option for stablecoin yield farming.

### **Collateralized Debt Positions (CDP) are a proven model in DeFi, but they can seem complex to newcomers. How does Aqua make the borrowing and minting process more accessible?**

Aqua simplifies the CDP model with an intuitive interface that allows users to deposit assets, instantly mint (borrow) AquaUSD, and easily monitor their collateral ratios. The process is transparent, with fixed fees instead of fluctuating interest rates, making borrowing predictable and user-friendly.

### **Community is everything in DeFi. How does your team build and engage with the Aqua Protocol community? Are there any initiatives or governance ideas in the works to give users a bigger voice?**

Aqua Protocol engages its community through governance initiatives, educational content, and incentive programs. The upcoming AquaDAO will allow users to participate in protocol decisions via governance voting. Additionally, holders of Aqua Genesis NFTs will have a special role in shaping the protocol's direction.

### **Aqua Protocol’s been called a key liquidity layer for TON. Can you unpack how it’s helping DeFi grow and mature on TON Blockchain?**

Aqua Protocol enhances the TON DeFi ecosystem by providing a decentralized stablecoin for lending, trading, and yield strategies. By integrating with DEXs, lending platforms, and payment systems, AquaUSD becomes a foundational asset, improving inner TON liquidity, reducing reliance on external stablecoins, and fostering on-chain financial stability.

### **Your third season of rewards for AquaUSD liquidity providers just kicked off. What’s this event all about, and how does it cater to users—especially those who play it safe with their investments?**

The third season of rewards is designed to incentivize long-term liquidity providers. Participants earn AquaRP (Reward Points), which can be exchanged for future AQUA governance tokens. The reward program offers stable returns to conservative investors who prefer low-risk strategies while supporting the protocol’s liquidity growth. RP can also be given just for holding AquaUSD in the wallet!

### **TON’s got a growing lineup of DeFi projects. What makes Aqua Protocol unique, and how do you stand out?**

Aqua Protocol is TON's first community-driven and decentralized stablecoin protocol, providing a censorship-resistant, transparent, and overcollateralized stable asset for full freedom. Aqua leverages TON's ecosystem efficiently, ensuring seamless integrations and real DeFi utility. Fixed borrowing fees, community-driven governance, and high-yield stable pools set it apart from other platforms.

### **In closing, what’s next for Aqua Protocol? Any features, upgrades, or partnerships on the horizon that you’re excited to share?**

Aqua Protocol is focusing on expanding AquaUSD's utility by integrating with more DeFi protocols, such as [EVAA](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-evaa-protocol), [Storm Trade](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-storm-trade), and others. The team is also working on governance enhancements and stablecoin adoption in payments and e-commerce within the TON ecosystem. New partnerships with major DeFi projects are on the horizon to further strengthen AquaUSD’s role as a key financial instrument in TON.

We will add RWA as collateral and pure TON, along with new products built on top of Aqua SDK. Aqua will also offer automated strategies for users who want passive income without actively managing their positions.

Find AquaProtocol on:

[Website](https://aquaprotocol.xyz/) | [Twitter (X)](https://x.com/aquaprotocolxyz) | [Telegram](https://t.me/aquaprotocolxyzchannelen) | [Medium](https://mirror.xyz/aquaprotocol.eth) | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aqua-protocol-xyz/)

---

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Aqua Protocol

Some games test your reflexes, others throw you into mind-bending puzzles. [Animal Village](https://docs.animalvillage.org/) is all about building, strategizing, and outsmarting competition in a charming, Miyazaki-inspired world.

Developed by Geeks, a studio with experience in AAA titles like *Doom Eternal* and *Darksiders 3*, Animal Village blends settlement-building, idle mechanics, and life simulation to create a [decentralized gaming experience](https://blog.ton.org/ton-use-cases-building-decentralized-gaming-experiences). Think *Animal Crossing*, but with leaderboards, character upgrades, and a competitive twist.

At first glance, Animal Village looks like a relaxing place to grow a cozy little town, but don’t be fooled—players also compete, strategize, and earn ANVI tokens through an engaging leaderboard system. Plus, with active player feedback shaping updates and a growing community on Telegram, Animal Village keeps players coming back.

So, how do you balance cozy vibes with competitive strategy? We sat down with the Animal Village team to chat about their creative process, what makes the game stand out, and what’s next.

### **Who are the key members behind Animal Village? What kind of experience do they bring to the project?**

Animal Village is being developed by Geeks, a studio founded in 2016. Before starting work on Animal Village, the team worked as developers on projects such as *Doom Eternal, Crucible, MudRunner,* and *Darksiders 3.* Additionally, the team has developed its own mobile games in the hyper-casual, hybrid, and mid-core genres.

In 2019, the studio's founder also established an online game development school called XYZ School, which has become one of the market leaders. The school's instructors are experts holding leading positions at companies like Blizzard, EA Games, Ubisoft, and Bethesda.

### **What inspired the gameplay design of Animal Village, focusing on settlement building and character upgrades?**

The inspiration came from some popular idle and merge games. So, it’s a mix of mechanics combined with elements of life simulation games like *Animal Crossing* and a visual style similar to Hayao Miyazaki’s movies. We wanted to create a world where players grow their own village, manage animals, and earn rewards.

### **What were your team's most significant challenges while developing Animal Village, and how did you overcome them?**

We developed this game using Unity WebGL, which affected the loading speed and game startup. However, we couldn't use a different engine because the game contains many animations and complex elements. We focused on making the first impression as smooth as possible and believe we achieved that successfully.

### **Can you walk us through how the play-to-earn model works in Animal Village?**

The play-to-earn model here is standard—players earn tokens and can sell it after the listing. Players can earn ANVI tokens in two ways:

**Activities:**

- 5% from friends' earnings
- Participate in raffles and airdrops
- Rewards for top positions on the leaderboard

**Playing the game:**

- Building new structures
- Every 30 building levels
- A chance to get tokens from completing tasks: pond, tree, or garden bed
- A chance to earn tokens for merging animals

### **What’s been the most popular feature among players so far? Any surprises?**

It's hard to point to just one thing. It’s a combination of factors:

- Enjoyable gameplay that keeps players engaged.
- High rewards for top leaderboard positions.
- We also communicate actively with players so they feel valued and respected. We listen to their feedback, consider their suggestions in updates, and continuously improve the game’s user experience.

### **Why did you choose TON Blockchain for Animal Village?**

[We chose TON Blockchain](https://blog.ton.org/why-you-should-launch-your-web3-project-on-the-open-network-ton) because we want to do projects in the Telegram and [TON ecosystems](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network). We believe in their future, and want to make the best products in this ecosystem.

### **How are you planning to encourage a strong community within Telegram and beyond?**

We foster a strong Animal Village community by actively engaging with players, listening to their feedback, and improving the game based on their suggestions. Leaderboards, upcoming guilds, and community events keep players connected and motivated. We also reward active members with in-game bonuses and exclusive giveaways. While Telegram is our main hub, we're expanding our social media to grow the community even further and attract non-Telegram players to join us.

### **Players love rewards. What sets Animal Village’s monetization model apart, making it more competitive than similar hybrid casual games?**

In Animal Village, we’ve made sure that monetization feels fair and rewarding, not forced.

- Players can earn ANVI tokens by playing, so it’s not just about spending money.
- Buying premium buildings gives an advantage, but brilliant strategy and active play matter just as much.
- We focus on long-term balance, so rewards stay valuable over time.

Instead of aggressive paywalls, we offer fun extras like boosts and cosmetic upgrades, making spending feel like a choice, not a requirement. This way, players stay engaged, enjoy the game, and feel good about their progress, whether they pay or not.

### **What are your long-term goals for Animal Village, and how do you see the game evolving to capture a larger share of the growing hybrid casual games market?**

Our long-term goal for Animal Village is to become a leading hybrid casual game combining engaging idle mechanics, competitive elements, and strong community-driven features.

We will:

- Increase gameplay depth with more buildings, animals, and strategic mechanics.
- Enhance competitive play through leaderboards, guilds, and seasonal events.
- Optimize monetization and retention with balanced play-to-earn mechanics, premium buildings, and exclusive rewards.
- Grow beyond Telegram by expanding to mobile and Web3 platforms, reaching a broader audience.

By continuously improving content, rewarding engagement, and fostering a strong community, Animal Village is set to scale in the hybrid casual market and attract casual and competitive players. For now, we focus mostly on social mechanics.

### **What exciting new features can players expect in the coming months?**

- Seasonal leagues with leaderboards
- Referral leaderboard
- Guilds
- New unique buildings, more content
- PvP mechanics
- And a lot of small updates with game mechanics improvements

<br>

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Animal Village

*This article was contributed by [TONCO DEX](https://app.tonco.io/), the first concentrated liquidity DEX on TON Blockchain, built by [Algebra Labs](https://algebra.finance/). The views expressed are those of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the opinions or endorsements of TON. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.*

---
Imagine walking into a store where there’s no cashier, no fixed prices, and no checkout line. Instead, prices shift in real time depending on demand. More buyers? Prices climb. Less activity? They drop. That’s exactly how **Automated Market Makers (AMMs)** work. No centralized order books, no middlemen—just liquidity pools and smart contracts handling everything, ensuring smooth, trustless transactions.

In this guide, we will dive into how AMMs work, their key benefits, and potential risks. We’ll also explore how AMMs have evolved from v2 models, used by DEXs like STON.fi and DeDust, to v3 models, such as TONCO DEX, which introduced concentrated liquidity.

Whether you’re just getting started with decentralized finance (DeFi) or looking to deepen your knowledge, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals and help you understand how to participate in decentralized trading on TON Blockchain.

## **What is an Automated Market Maker (AMM)?**

Automated Market Makers are **decentralized trading protocols** that use smart contracts to set token prices and facilitate trades. Instead of matching buyers and sellers, AMMs use liquidity pools where users deposit tokens. These pools ensure that trades can always be executed, with prices determined by **predefined mathematical formulas**.

### **Key features of AMMs**

- **No order book needed**: AMMs eliminate the need for buyers and sellers to be online at the same time. Trades happen instantly using liquidity pools.
- **Algorithmic pricing**: Token prices in AMMs change dynamically based on supply and demand within the liquidity pool.
- **Anyone can provide liquidity**: Users (liquidity providers or LPs) can add tokens to a pool and earn a share of the trading fees in return.

By removing centralized intermediaries and making trading **permissionless**, AMMs offer a more open and efficient way to swap digital assets.

## **How do AMMs work?**

AMMs rely on **liquidity pools**, which are smart contracts that hold two tokens. Each pool acts as a market for a specific **trading pair**—for example, **TON/USDT**. When a trader swaps tokens, the pool automatically adjusts prices using a mathematical formula.

### **How liquidity pools work**

- **Providing liquidity**: Anyone can contribute funds to a liquidity pool and become an LP. This helps maintain liquidity for other users to trade.
- **Setting initial prices**: The first LP in a new pool determines the initial price of the tokens. If this price is significantly different from the global market rate, arbitrage traders may quickly correct it, potentially leading to **impermanent loss**.

### **LP tokens: your key to rewards**

When you deposit tokens into a liquidity pool, you receive **LP tokens,** which represent your share of the pool. These tokens allow you to earn **trading fees** from every swap in the pool.

Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) share a portion of trading fees with LPs, providing a steady passive income stream. On [**TONCO DEX**](https://app.tonco.io/), for example, 90% of fees go directly to liquidity providers.

When you’re ready to withdraw, you simply **burn your LP tokens** using the DEX interface to reclaim your share of the pool—along with any accumulated rewards.

### **What is APR?**

**Annual Percentage Rate (APR)** refers to the **potential yearly returns** LPs can earn from depositing their tokens into a liquidity pool. It factors in trading fees and any additional platform incentives. Higher **trading volume** often leads to higher APR, making some pools more attractive than others.

By combining liquidity pools, LP tokens, and trading fees, AMMs create a decentralized trading system that operates **without intermediaries** and provides earning opportunities for users.

## **AMMs on TON: v2 vs. v3 models**

TON Blockchain has integrated AMMs as a fundamental part of its **DeFi ecosystem**. There are two main types of AMMs in use today:

### **v2 AMMs: traditional liquidity distribution**

v2 AMMs, such as **STON.fi** and **DeDust.io**, rely on **constant product market maker algorithms**. These DEXs ensure that the total value of the two tokens in a liquidity pool remains **constant** (split 50/50), regardless of trade size.

- **Consistent liquidity availability**: v2 AMMs ensure there’s always liquidity available, even for large trades.
- **Capital inefficiency**: Liquidity is evenly distributed across all price ranges, meaning a significant portion of it may remain unused, reducing its efficiency.

### **v3 AMMs: concentrated liquidity**

The next stage in AMM evolution introduces concentrated liquidity, a model designed to improve capital efficiency by allowing LPs to allocate liquidity within specific price ranges rather than distributing it evenly.

**TONCO DEX** is **pioneering** **v3 AMMs** on TON.

- **Focused liquidity**: LPs choose **specific price ranges** where they want to provide liquidity, rather than spreading it across the entire price spectrum.
- **Higher earning potential**: Because liquidity is concentrated around active trading ranges, LPs earn **higher fees** on their positions.
- **More active management required**: LPs must **monitor their positions** more closely, as liquidity stops earning fees if the price moves outside their chosen range.

By offering **both v2 and v3 AMM models**, TON Blockchain gives users the **flexibility to choose** the model that best suits their needs.

## **Risks of AMMs: understanding impermanent loss**

While AMMs provide significant earning opportunities, they also come with risks. The biggest challenge LPs face is **impermanent loss**, which occurs when the price ratio of two assets in a liquidity pool changes.

Impermanent loss refers to the reduction in the value of your liquidity pool assets compared to simply holding them outside the pool. To be clear, it’s not about losing money outright but about earning less than you would have if you’d just held the tokens.

If one token’s price rises while the other stays the same (or drops), the LP loses value compared to just holding the tokens. The greater the price difference, the higher the impermanent loss.

For example, let’s say you provided liquidity to a **TON/USDT pool** when **TON is $5**. If TON later rises to $10, arbitrage traders will rebalance the pool, leaving you with **less TON** than you initially deposited. Even though the pool still holds value, you would have made more money by simply holding TON.

### **How to manage impermanent loss**

- **Monitor market trends**: Keep an eye on price movements and adjust your liquidity positions if needed.
- **Choose the right pool**: Pools with assets that move together (like stTON/TON pair) minimize impermanent loss.
- **Utilize concentrated liquidity**: v3 AMM models help LPs focus their liquidity on active price ranges, reducing losses.

## **The final word**

AMMs have transformed the way crypto trading works by making it permissionless, efficient, and accessible to anyone. Whether you’re using a v2 AMM like STON.fi and DeDust.io or taking advantage of v3 concentrated liquidity on TONCO, AMMs offer a variety of opportunities to trade, earn fees, and contribute to the DeFi ecosystem.

What is an Automated Market Maker (AMM)? A beginner’s guide

Gaming has always been about pushing boundaries—whether through new mechanics, immersive worlds, or innovative technology. [Delabs Games](https://delabs.gg/), led by industry veteran James Joonmo Kwon, has spent decades doing just that. The studio builds on a legacy of innovation—from early mobile RPGs to launching an Unreal Engine MMORPG on mobile.

Focused on merging gaming excellence with blockchain technology, Delabs develops projects that combine competitive play, creative progression systems, and distinctive social interactions. One standout project is *Boxing Star X* on [Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-web3-adoption), a boxing game that brings fresh engagement methods and rewards while challenging players to refine their skills.

In this interview, we take a closer look at Delabs' journey, its approach to game development, and how it’s using TON to explore the future of [Web3 gaming](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram).

### **Delabs has a notable history in gaming, from your early beginnings to working with leading industry names. Could you share key moments that helped shape your vision for Web3 games?**

Our founder, James Joonmo Kwon, has been a pioneer in gaming for over 25 years. As the former CEO of Nexon and a serial gaming entrepreneur, he has consistently been ahead of the curve, introducing new metas that reshaped the industry.

Some key moments include:

- Bringing the world’s first mobile real-time online RPG (back in the flip phone days).
- Launching the first Unreal Engine-powered MMORPG on mobile.
- Introducing the first real-time PvP game using a gyro sensor.

These milestones stem from an ability to recognize and capitalize on emerging trends. At Delabs, we see blockchain as the next evolution in gaming. James saw the immense potential for a new gaming era driven by decentralization, player ownership, and open economies.

Our vision is to build the ultimate Web3 gaming studio that not only creates immersive and engaging games, but also pioneers a new standard for blockchain-powered gaming experiences. We are here to shape the future of gaming by merging the best of gaming with innovations, ensuring that players are truly at the center of this next evolution.

### **The team at Delabs is made up of seasoned professionals with blockbuster titles under their belts. How does this collective experience affect the way you approach game development today?**

One of Delabs's core strengths is the deep-rooted trust and synergy within our team. Many of our developers have been working with James since his Nexon days, which means we have a shared understanding of the game development process and a seamless communication flow.

Beyond trust, our team’s extensive experience across various platforms and constraints enables us to solve problems creatively. We are serious builders—our developers have spent decades mastering their craft, our business team applies data-driven decision-making to development, and our marketing team brings fresh, innovative ideas. This holistic approach allows us to build games with strategic depth and mass-market appeal.

### **Delabs features various games that present a blend of competitive play and interactive elements. What inspired you to take the multi-game direction?**

For us, the multi-game approach was a natural evolution. While we are committed to focusing on each game to ensure successful launches, having a diverse portfolio is also strategic.

Gaming trends and player interests can shift rapidly, and having multiple games allows us to stay agile, experiment with new mechanics, and create synergies between our titles. This approach also strengthens our ecosystem—each game contributes to Delabs's larger vision, reinforcing our platform and community engagement.

### **Many projects in the space are making similar claims. What sets Delabs apart from other Web3 gaming initiatives in terms of design and player experience?**

Delabs stands apart in three key ways:

1. **Focus on midcore games**: Unlike many games that lean towards casual or hyper-casual experiences, we specialize in midcore games. These games strike a balance between accessibility and depth, offering meaningful progression and engagement, which is key in driving retention and on-chain value exchange.
2. **Web3 integration with social platforms**: We see massive potential in Web3-enabled social platforms like Telegram. By embedding our games within these ecosystems, we make onboarding both to the game and to the blockchain elements seamless, tapping into an existing user base.
3. **True player-driven economies**: Midcore games require more complex economies and progression systems, which are essential for meaningful on-chain value exchange. By designing games that are easy to start but rewarding to master, we ensure long-term retention rather than short-term speculative participation.

### **One of your standout titles is *Boxing Star X*. What inspired you to create a boxing game on this platform, and how does it deliver a balanced and thrilling experience?**

We created *Boxing Star X* to bring something new to gaming on Telegram. As the first boxing game on the platform, it offers PvP action, classic boxing techniques like jabs, hooks, and uppercuts, and deep progression systems including skill training, gear upgrades, and competitive leagues.

While tap-to-earn games drove Web3 adoption on Telegram, we saw an opportunity to take things further. *Boxing Star X* offers a midcore gaming experience designed to deliver higher retention, longer play sessions, and meaningful player-driven value exchange.

The game is designed to be easy to start but hard to master, ensuring that players of all skill levels find enjoyment and long-term engagement. Casual players can quickly jump in, throw punches, and feel the excitement of fast-paced boxing action, while more competitive players can refine their skills through strategic training, gear upgrades, and PvP leagues to climb the leaderboards. A diverse reward system ensures instant rewards for casuals, while competitive players can earn rare digital collectibles.

### **Can you explain how your games integrate with TON and what positive impacts it could have for Delabs’ and TON’s future?**

TON saw explosive growth in 2024, largely driven by tap-to-earn games, which successfully introduced a massive wave of users to the ecosystem. The next step is building deeper, more engaging experiences that keep players invested for the long term.

This is where *Boxing Star X* makes an impact. We believe gaming is the key to mass adoption, but lasting engagement comes from progression, competition, and player-driven economies. By focusing on midcore gaming experiences, we’re not only bringing players into Web3 but also creating meaningful interactions that drive on-chain value exchange. This approach strengthens both the TON ecosystem and Delabs’ long-term vision, ensuring a more sustainable and engaging future for blockchain gaming.

### **What were some of the most significant technical challenges your team encountered while working on interoperability across different gaming environments, and how did you overcome them?**

Interoperability is a key focus for Delabs as we aim to create a seamless gaming experience across blockchain networks and game platforms.

On the blockchain side, our ecosystem spans multiple chains—our main membership pass is on Ethereum, while some game assets exist on Arbitrum. Ensuring a unified experience for players across these networks requires robust infrastructure. To solve this, we developed the Delabs ID system and an Engagement Level system, which links together and consolidates player identities, tracks contributions across different chains, and enables cross-chain rewards. This ensures that no matter where players engage within our ecosystem, their progress and achievements remain interconnected.

### **As you continue to push the limits of what Web3 gaming offers, what message would you like to share with longtime fans and those just discovering Delabs?**

To our longtime fans, especially our Delabs Adventure Pass NFT holders—we deeply appreciate your support and belief in our vision. Every milestone we’ve reached is thanks to your dedication, and we’re excited to continue this journey together.

For those just discovering Delabs, this is just the beginning. *Boxing Star X* launched on February 10, marking the first of many games we have in store. We invite you to step into the ring, experience the thrill, and witness firsthand how midcore gaming can transform Web3. Get ready for mega punches and even bigger thrills!

We have also prepared a very special coupon code to redeem $20 worth of in-game items. Enter “tonsociety” in the coupon page for *Boxing Star X*. Looking forward to seeing you in the ring!

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

TON Giants: Delabs Games

Gaming is evolving, and [TapSwap](https://www.tapswap.ai/) is leveling up. With over 72 million users, the platform is shifting from tap-to-earn to a full-fledged Web3 skills-gaming experience. Here, success isn’t about luck or passive rewards—it’s about skills, strategy, and competition. Players can now test their abilities in tournaments, earn real rewards, and take their gaming to the next level.

But TapSwap isn’t stopping there. It’s building a gaming ecosystem, bringing in third-party developers, expanding its lineup of competitive games, and refining tournament mechanics to keep players engaged.

To dive deeper, we caught up with TapSwap to discuss its vision, how the platform works, and what’s coming next.

### TapSwap started as a tap-to-earn game but has now evolved into a skill-based gaming platform. What prompted this shift?

Tap-to-earn introduced millions of users to [Web3 gaming](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram), but long-term success requires something more. Players want engaging gameplay, competition, and meaningful progression—not just rewards for participation.

This is why we’re transitioning into a skills-based gaming platform, where performance in competitive tournaments directly impacts earnings. Our Fight2Earn model ensures that players who develop their skills and strategy are the ones who succeed, creating a fair and rewarding experience.

### What issues in traditional gaming does TapSwap aim to solve?

Gaming has long struggled with pay-to-win models, lack of real ownership, and limited opportunities for skilled players to earn. Many games prioritize monetization over fairness, making success more about spending than skill.

TapSwap challenges this model by making competition and ability the key factors in success. With blockchain transparency, players can trust that the system is fair and rewards are verifiable.

### How does the Fight2Earn model work, and what makes it unique?

The Fight2Earn system allows players to enter skill-based tournaments, where they pay entry fees in $TAPS, and prize pools reward the top performers. This model creates real demand for the token while ensuring that earnings are based on competition. Unlike traditional gaming rewards that often feel static or arbitrary, Fight2Earn puts real value behind skill-based victories.

### TapSwap is opening its platform to third-party developers. What impact will this have on the ecosystem?

We’re building more than just a single game—we’re creating an ecosystem where developers can launch their own skill-based games on TapSwap. This allows:

- Developers to monetize their creations through TapSwap’s platform.
- Players to access a variety of games with different mechanics and competition formats.
- A growing ecosystem where skill-based gaming thrives, and both developers and players benefit.

By expanding beyond a single game, TapSwap is laying the foundation for a long-term, sustainable Web3 gaming platform.

### How does TapSwap compare to traditional skill-based gaming platforms?

Traditional Web2 platforms like [Skillz](https://www.skillz.com/), for example, have proven that skill-based gaming has massive market potential, generating over $100 million in annual revenue. TapSwap takes skill-based gaming further by integrating blockchain technology, allowing:

- True digital ownership of rewards and assets.
- Transparent, decentralized competition mechanics.
- A crypto-native economy with real earning potential for players.

With Web3’s added benefits and TapSwap’s larger user base, we believe TapSwap can reach an even larger audience and set a new standard for competitive gaming.

### Sustainability is a major challenge in Web3 gaming. How is TapSwap ensuring long-term viability?

We’re committed to a sustainable economic model through what we call "Win-Win Monetization." This ensures:

- Consistent income for players through competitive skill-based tournaments.
- Stable revenue for the platform by balancing entry fees, prize pools, and in-game economy dynamics.
- A growing ecosystem that attracts both players and developers, reinforcing long-term demand for $TAPS.

Unlike early Web3 gaming models that relied on speculative hype, TapSwap is built for longevity, ensuring that the platform remains engaging, competitive, and rewarding over time.

### What’s next for TapSwap?

We’re just getting started. Our transition to a full-fledged Web3 skill-gaming platform is well underway, and we’re actively working on:

- Expanding the number of games available on TapSwap.
- Onboarding third-party developers to create new competitive experiences.
- Enhancing tournament mechanics to offer players more ways to compete and earn.

***Disclaimer:** This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: TapSwap

The **Late Night DeFi campaign** has come to an end, leaving a lasting mark on TON’s decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. Traditionally, DeFi has been the **domain of whales,** with everyday users left on the sidelines. TON set out to change that. With Late Night DeFi, our goal was to bring new users into the ecosystem by making DeFi more **engaging, rewarding, and easy to navigate.**

Launched in September 2024, TON Society, TBook, and top DeFi projects, including Tonstakers, bemo, STON.fi, DeDust, [Storm Trade](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-storm-trade), and [EVAA](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-evaa-protocol), collaborated on this initiative, powered by **Soulbound Tokens (SBTs)**. Through livestreams, offline events, and AMAs, the campaign expanded DeFi education and engagement while delivering strong results.

## **Campaign by the numbers**

By the end of 2024, Late Night DeFi generated over **1.9 million TON in total value locked (TVL)**, attracting **94,176 participants** who collectively claimed over **40,000 SBTs**.

- Tonstakers Strategist: 9,042 claims
- Bemo Strategist: 7,815 claims
- Storm Trader: 5,968 claims
- STON Herald: 5,852 claims
- DeDust Herald: 5,649 claims
- EVAA Pawnbroker: 5,706 claims

Notably, 13,594 participants (14.5%) held USDT, while 33,735 (35.98%) held at least one major TON memecoin, such as [NOT](https://blog.ton.org/virality-masterclass-notcoins-rise-to-4m-players), DOGS, [CATI](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-catizen-2), WAT, HMSTR, or [Durev](https://blog.ton.org/ton-culture-kings-durev). This overlap between DeFi players and gamers sets the stage for deeper GameFi-DeFi integration in 2025.

A major highlight: the ongoing airdrops airdrop distribution. Over **$100,000** has been allocated so far in two phases—the first phase in October 2024 rewarded early contributors to Late Night DeFi TVL, while the second phase in early 2025 will honor those with exceptional engagement, further cementing TON DeFi’s growth. Project-specific rewards were also included, with Storm Trade offering 50,000 STORM tokens, bemo distributing $10,000 in stXP, and EVAA providing exclusive XP rewards, each strategically designed to enhance user participation and foster deeper engagement within the ecosystem. More airdrops are coming. You can follow the latest airdrop news on [TON’s social channels.](https://ton.org/)

## **What made Late Night DeFi a success?**

### **1）SBTs: a driving force for community engagement**

The Late Night DeFi campaign proved that [SBTs](https://blog.ton.org/sbt-campaigns-incentives) can be a powerful lever to drive community contribution. Implementing **Compressed SBTs (cSBTs)** helped cut campaign costs by over **50%**, allowing for larger-scale incentivization without the hefty price tag. Bundling minting proofs into a single daily transaction reduced gas fees, enabling projects to mint millions of tokens with minimal cost. Less cost, more reach, bigger impact.

**Verifiable SBTs (vSBTs)** took this a step further. Unlike standard SBTs, vSBTs validated real DeFi contributions, ensuring that genuine participants were rewarded. This approach directly contributed to the **1.9 million TON** in TVL, showcasing how SBTs can drive engagement while building trust.

### **2）Late Night DeFi: bringing the TON community closer together**

Late Night DeFi was a TON-wide collaboration, setting a new benchmark for DeFi initiatives. By pooling resources and expertise from TON Society, TBook, and leading DeFi projects, the campaign made DeFi more accessible, transparent, and rewarding.

## **What’s next for TON DeFi?**

Now, it’s time to carry Late Night DeFi’s momentum into 2025. **More users, more projects, more TVL, and more airdrops.** The best of TON DeFi is yet to come.

As DeFi on TON continues to evolve, expect deeper integrations and expanded use cases that make DeFi even more accessible. Whether you’re a trader, liquidity provider, or just getting started, there’s never been a better time to dive into TON DeFi.

Late Night DeFi campaign wraps up, boosting TON DeFi growth

# **5 ways USDt-TON is making crypto more practical than ever**

Imagine every time you paid for coffee, the price jumped 20% by the time you reached the cashier. That’s the reality of volatility in crypto—exciting for traders, but impractical for daily use. This is where **stablecoins like USDT** come in. By maintaining a **1:1 peg with the US dollar,** USDT offers the best of both worlds—the stability of fiat with the efficiency of crypto.

Now, with **USDT on TON,** transactions are becoming **faster, cheaper, and more accessible** than ever. TON’s high-speed, low-cost infrastructure makes it an ideal home for stablecoins, and with **Telegram’s massive user base of nearly a billion people,** mass adoption is within reach.

Payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3 apps, and more are already integrating USDt-TON. Let’s dive in.

## **1. USDt-TON for payments**

Let’s be real—no one wants to wait minutes for a payment to clear or lose money on transaction fees. USDT on TON fixes this by offering near-instant transactions with minimal fees, while ensuring that its value remains steady. This makes [USDt-TON](https://blog.ton.org/us-dt-on-ton-is-now-available-on-over-100-platforms-worldwide) ideal for both **peer-to-peer transactions and merchant adoption.**

Sending money across borders is now as simple as sending a text message. With USDt-TON integrated into Telegram’s [@wallet](https://blog.ton.org/introducing-wallet-pay-revolutionary-technology-for-shopping-with-cryptocurrency), you can instantly transfer funds to friends, family, or businesses without dealing with bank delays or high remittance fees.

Picture this: You just finished a music lesson and want to pay your freelance teacher on the spot—done. Need to split a dinner bill with friends or buy digital goods? No problem.

Businesses, too, are starting to accept USDt-TON through payment processors like [Smartpay](https://smartpay.com.vc/), [Oobit](https://www.oobit.com/), [IVPAY](https://ivpay.io/), and [NOWPayments](https://nowpayments.io/), making it a practical option for global commerce.

## **2. USDt-TON in DeFi**

Stablecoins are the lifeblood of DeFi, providing a **stable unit of account** for trading, lending, and liquidity provisioning. On TON, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like [STON.fi](http://ston.fi/) and [DeDust](https://dedust.io/) use USDt-TON to facilitate seamless token swaps and liquidity pools, allowing traders to execute transactions with minimal slippage and predictable pricing.

Meanwhile, lending protocols such as [Evaa Protocol](https://evaa.finance/) allow users to borrow against USDT collateral or earn yield by providing liquidity. And with cross-chain bridges like [Symbiosis](https://symbiosis.finance/bridge-ton), users can easily move USDt-TON between TON and other blockchains, enhancing liquidity across ecosystems and providing greater flexibility in managing assets.

## **3. USDt-TON in mini apps and Web3 games**

USDt-TON is already powering transactions inside Telegram Mini Apps. Want to tip creators, pay for [digital services like VPNs](https://t.me/ConnecTONbot), or monetize your content? Stablecoin payments make it effortless.

For content creators, tools like [@Tribute](https://t.me/tribute) make it easy to accept one-time or recurring USDt-TON donations, manage subscriptions, and even sell digital products. Fans can support their favorite creators instantly, while creators can offer exclusive content, set up tiered access, and build stronger communities.

And what if your in-game currency was **actually valuable outside the game?** With TON’s [interoperability](https://blog.ton.org/why-interoperability-is-key-to-unlocking-blockchains-full-potential) solutions, what starts in a game doesn’t have to stay there. Players can easily exchange game earnings for USDt-TON to spend, trade, or move across [100+ connected platforms](https://blog.ton.org/us-dt-on-ton-is-now-available-on-over-100-platforms-worldwide), making digital rewards more useful and flexible.

## **4. USDt-TON as a global remittance solution**

Ever tried sending money abroad through banks or remittance services? Between **high fees, slow transfers, and terrible exchange rates,** it’s a nightmare.

USDt-TON changes that. With **instant, low-cost transfers directly inside Telegram,** users can send USDT to other users, just like they would a message. Supporting family overseas, paying freelancers, or covering shared expenses across borders is effortless with apps like [@wallet](https://t.me/wallet) or [Tonkeeper](https://t.me/tonkeeper).

In regions where **banking infrastructure is limited or unreliable,** this is a game-changer. TON’s low fees and borderless design make USDt-TON a **powerful alternative**, ensuring that anyone with an internet connection has access to fast, dependable payments.

## **5. USDt-TON for businesses and institutions**

Beyond individual use, stablecoins are becoming an essential tool for businesses and institutions. Companies are increasingly using USDT for **payroll, cross-border settlements, and treasury management** due to its stability and ease of transfer.

Businesses can use platforms like [Whitepay](https://whitepay.com/) and [CityPay.io](http://citypay.io/) to integrate USDt-TON into their payment systems, allowing for seamless transactions with partners and customers worldwide. With instant settlement times and no reliance on traditional banking infrastructure, USDt-TON provides a **more efficient alternative** for **international business operations.**

## **What’s next for USDt-TON?**

As adoption continues to grow, USDt-TON will become even more integrated into payments, DeFi, and Web3 applications. More platforms are expected to incorporate USDt-TON into their ecosystems, making it easier than ever to transact across multiple blockchain networks.

With expanding bridge solutions and interoperability upgrades, such as TON’s recent LayerZero integration, cross-chain liquidity will continue to improve, further strengthening USDt-TON’s role as a **universal stablecoin.**

Backed by TON’s **high-speed blockchain, deep Telegram integration, and growing multi-chain connectivity**, USDt-TON is set to become a cornerstone of digital payments and decentralized finance. As more users and businesses recognize the benefits of stable, low-cost transactions, USDt-TON will be a key driver in bringing blockchain technology into everyday use.

## **Start using USDt-TON today**

USDt-TON is already transforming how people send money, trade, and interact with Web3 applications. Whether you’re looking to make payments, participate in DeFi, or integrate USDT into your business, TON provides a **fast, scalable, and user-friendly** platform to do so.

To start using USDt-TON:

- Set up a [Telegram Wallet](https://t.me/wallet) and send USDt-TON instantly to friends and businesses.
- Trade USDT on TON-based DEXs like STON.fi and Dedust.
- Use USDt-TON in Telegram Mini Apps and Web3 services.

Stable, efficient, and globally accessible—USDt-TON is bringing real-world utility to blockchain transactions like never before.

***Disclaimer:** The Open Network (TON) does not promote, support, or endorse any third-party cryptocurrency projects, tokens, or initiatives. Any claims of affiliation or endorsement by TON are false and should be disregarded. Participants are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research and exercise caution when engaging with third-party projects or platforms. TON assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions, investments, or decisions made in relation to such projects.* 

5 ways USDt-TON is making crypto more practical than ever

[TON Foundation](https://ton.foundation/en) has announced the integration of LayerZero, the **leading interoperability protocol for cross-chain asset transfers.** This integration aims to advance [blockchain interoperability](https://blog.ton.org/why-interoperability-is-key-to-unlocking-blockchains-full-potential) by connecting **TON to** **over** **100 other chains**, starting with 12 chains that include **Ethereum, Tron, and Solana,** and combining LayerZero’s industry-leading messaging infrastructure with TON’s high scalability and low transaction fees.

## **What is LayerZero?**

[LayerZero](https://layerzero.network/) is an interoperability protocol that connects **100+ blockchains,** allowing developers to create applications that exist across multiple networks. From **stablecoins to on-chain lending markets to digital identity solutions,** LayerZero powers some of the most prominent blockchain projects, including **[Ethena](https://ethena.fi/), PayPal, and Pudgy Penguins.** The protocol has facilitated over **140 million** cross-chain messages, making it one of the most widely used interoperability solutions in the industry.

## **LayerZero brings major assets to TON**

As a standalone Layer 1 blockchain, TON has demonstrated its excellence in scalability and distribution, but has faced limitations when it comes to liquidity and access to major crypto assets prevalent on other blockchains. By integrating LayerZero, the TON ecosystem now has **access to multi-chain liquidity,** setting the stage for **widespread DeFi innovation** in 2025.

TON is now able to deliver **sustainable liquidity** and **improve accessibility** to its ecosystem, setting the stage for widespread adoption.

Several key partners are leveraging LayerZero’s infrastructure on TON, including:

- **USDT:** LayerZero is being used by the consortium USDT0 to premiere its new product, the Legacy Mesh which connects USDT deployments with USDT0 between TON, Tron, Ethereum, and Arbitrum.
- **Ethena:** A synthetic dollar, yield-bearing stable asset protocol, will be expanded to TON through LayerZero’s OFT Standard, with its flagship $5B asset USDe being its first asset to go live on TON.
- **Stargate:** The largest bridge in crypto, enabling seamless transfers of USDT between Ethereum, Tron, and TON, along with other OFTs like Ethena.

Users can now transfer assets like [USDT](https://blog.ton.org/usdt-comes-to-ton-embrace-the-true-peer-to-peer-experience) and other tokens from Ethereum, Tron, and other supported chains directly to TON Blockchain via [Stargate](https://stargate.finance/bridge). Developers will also be able to deploy tokens to TON from any of LayerZero’s 100+ supported chains using a single contract.

LayerZero’s tools for TON developers include:

- **Message passing:** Enable smart contracts on TON to interact with contracts on other LayerZero-connected chains for seamless interop.
- **Token expansion:** Deploy tokens to TON from any of LayerZero's 100+ supported chains.
- **FunC++:** An enhanced programming language for TON that improves development efficiency and reduces compilation times.

## **LayerZero introduces FunC++ to enhance EVM accessibility**

LayerZero created **FunC++,** a framework for object-oriented development within [FunC](https://blog.ton.org/secure-smart-contract-programming-in-func), dramatically **reducing the complexity of FunC development.** FunC++ abstractions and interfaces are now being internalized into the upcoming release of TON's new programming language, **Tolk,** where LayerZero will continue to develop tooling for the TON ecosystem. LayerZero continues to support TON Core with tooling, feedback, and contributions to help drive seamless cross-chain development.

## **Unrivalled access to a global audience**

Following its [exclusive agreement with Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/ton-telegram-exclusive-partnership-2025), TON offers unprecedented access to Telegram's global audience of over 950 million users. With LayerZero providing interop, TON receives unrivalled connectivity to both sources of liquidity and major blockchains.

> “We believe this integration marks a significant step forward for TON when it comes to uniting ecosystems and bringing greater interoperability to the broader crypto ecosystem," said Max Pertsovskiy, Chief Operating Officer, TON Foundation. "By connecting TON to a wide variety of other chains, developers now have all the tools they need to build decentralized applications for a truly global audience.”

> "TON is undoubtedly one of the most exciting ecosystems today,” said Bryan Pellegrino, CEO of LayerZero. “After its exclusive partnership with Telegram, it now has access to nearly a billion users. This direct integration has the potential to transform how a significant portion of the world interacts with blockchain technology. At LayerZero Labs, that’s exactly what we aim to do. We're excited to announce full support for the TON blockchain, connecting it to over 100 other chains and bringing some of the world’s largest assets into the ecosystem.”.

👉 [Explore LayerZero](https://layerzero.network/) <br>
👉 [Try cross-chain bridges on TON](https://ton.org/bridges)

TON integrates with LayerZero, bringing greater blockchain interoperability

Imagine trying to send an email from Gmail to someone using Yahoo, only to have it disappear into the void. That would be ridiculous, right? Now, picture that same scenario in the world of blockchain. Without interoperability, different blockchains can’t “talk” to each other, creating silos where transactions, apps, and assets are isolated inside their own ecosystems.

This is what makes interoperability a game-changer. It’s the bridge that connects various major blockchain networks, making the entire ecosystem more useful, scalable, and accessible. It allows networks to connect, communicate, and share data. Whether it’s for decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, or NFTs, interoperability allows the digital economy to thrive across platforms.

The Open Network (TON) was built with the goal of bringing **more people into blockchain**—and that vision requires seamless interoperability. Let’s break down why interoperability is so important to the future of the decentralized web.

## What is interoperability

Think of each blockchain network as a separate country with its own rules, currency, and language. Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, and TON are all unique ecosystems that, in their native state, can’t easily exchange assets or data between them. This fragmentation limits blockchain technology.

Interoperability removes these barriers, allowing blockchains to **work together instead of in isolation**. It allows assets and data to flow freely across different networks, giving users the freedom to move beyond a single network and take advantage of the best features each one offers.

Want to trade an asset from Ethereum to TON? Interoperability makes that possible. Need to move liquidity between DeFi protocols on different chains? No problem.

## Approaches to enhance blockchain interoperability

Interoperability in blockchain typically relies on a few methods. While there are overlapping functionalities, each approach offers different ways to enhance connectivity, liquidity, and usability:

### 1. Cross-chain bridges

Cross-chain bridges enable the movement of tokens between supported blockchains. Solutions like [Symbiosis](https://symbiosis.finance/bridge-ton) and [Stargate](https://stargate.finance/bridge) facilitate the process, ensuring liquidity flows seamlessly. For example, users can bridge USDT from Ethereum to TON using these services.

Another step we’ve taken towards an interoperable future is [TON Teleport BTC](https://blog.ton.org/unlocking-the-future-of-bitcoin-with-ton-teleport-btc), which allows Bitcoin holders to move BTC into the TON ecosystem for use in decentralized applications (dApps) and Telegram Mini Apps. Unlike traditional wrapped BTC solutions, TON Teleport BTC operates without intermediaries, making it a decentralized bridge for Bitcoin.

👉 [Explore cross-chain bridges on TON](https://ton.org/bridges)

### 2. Interoperability standards

Interoperability standards go beyond simple asset transfers by providing a standardized framework for cross-chain communication. For example, we’re working with protocols like [Axelar](https://blog.ton.org/ton-axelar-integration) to enable TON to transfer assets and data effortlessly across blockchains.

This approach helps prevent liquidity fragmentation, ensuring that assets remain consistently accessible and usable across networks rather than being deployed in multiple bridged forms.

## A user-friendly vision for everyday Web3 adoption

TON and its cross-chain tools turn virtual assets into a universal payment rail. It allows you to:

- **Effortless cryptocurrency bridges**: Move assets effortlessly between Ethereum, Solana, and other supported blockchains to TON in seconds, with native bridges. No complex processes, just simple, seamless transfers.
- **Payments via messaging:** Send cryptocurrency directly to any Telegram contact with no fees through the Wallet app. Payments become as easy as sending a message.
- **Stability and scalability**: Stablecoins like USDT ensure reliability with their 1:1 USD, while TON’s low fees and speed make micropayments practical for everyday use, especially in Telegram Mini Apps.

Now, consider the effect of interoperability in reward-based titles on TON, like [Fitton](https://blog.ton.org/future-giants-fitton). You could:

- Transfer in-game rewards for other valuable items in different blockchains.
- Purchase in-game items using USDT from other blockchains by bridging them to [USDT-TON](https://blog.ton.org/us-dt-on-ton-is-now-available-on-over-100-platforms-worldwide).
- Trade virtual assets on open marketplaces that work across chains.
- Create a more connected gaming economy where digital goods hold long-term value.

The same application in gaming is possible with numerous blockchain applications, including NFTs.

## Interoperability isn’t optional—it’s the present and future of blockchain

Blockchain was never meant to be a collection of isolated networks. Its true potential lies in **connection**, where assets, applications, and users move freely across different ecosystems. A blockchain that connects to others creates **a smoother user experience, a stronger ecosystem, and more real-world utility.** With interoperability, future blockchain transactions could become as simple as buying a coffee, splitting bills, or sending remittances through text messages. TON will continue exploring interoperability to simplify blockchain interactions.

Interoperability isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. By connecting blockchains and breaking down silos, we can unlock blockchain’s full potential and usher in a new era of dApps and digital assets.

<br>

***Disclaimer:** The Open Network (TON) does not promote, support, or endorse any third-party cryptocurrency projects, tokens, or initiatives. Any claims of affiliation or endorsement by TON are false and should be disregarded. Participants are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research and exercise caution when engaging with third-party projects or platforms. TON assumes no responsibility or liability for any actions, investments, or decisions made in relation to such projects.*

Why interoperability is key to unlocking blockchain’s full potential

*This article was contributed by TBook. The views expressed are those of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the opinions or endorsements of TON. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.*

---

What if your digital identity could tell your story—one that no one else can replicate, sell, or transfer? **Soulbound Tokens (SBTs)** make this concept a reality. These non-transferable digital badges are permanently linked to your wallet, showcasing a verifiable record of your contributions, milestones, and achievements within the TON ecosystem.

Think of SBTs as your personal blockchain “Medals of Honor.” Whether you’ve led transformative projects, supported emerging builders, or simply been an active part of the TON community, **SBTs are the ultimate bragging rights.** Designed as a tool for decentralized identity, SBTs change how ecosystems recognize and reward participation.

Let’s dig into how they work, why they matter, and how you can set one up today.

## **The latest in SBT technology**

The latest advancement in SBT technology, **Compressed SBTs (cSBTs)**, allows projects to mint millions of tokens with minimal gas fees. By bundling minting proofs into a single on-chain transaction daily, cSBTs reduce costs by **more than 50%** per campaign while ensuring efficiency and scalability.

On top of that, smart tools now make it easier to supercharge these campaigns. For instance, TBook’s verifiable Soulbound Tokens (vSBTs) leverage advanced credential verification systems to validate contributions across on-chain, off-chain, and even private activities. Think of them as SBTs with a “blue checkmark,” providing added confidence to partners and users.

With innovations like these, SBT campaigns are becoming smarter, more scalable, and tailored for the future, paving the way for deeper engagement and stronger communities within the TON ecosystem.

## **SBT campaigns: success stories**

SBT campaigns have shown their potential when it comes to rewarding meaningful participation and fostering engagement. Let’s look at some standout examples:

**The Open League**

The Open League used SBTs as a verifiable, non-transferable ticket to a [$1.5 million New Year airdrop](https://society.ton.org/the-open-league-new-year-airdrop). Nearly 500,000 participants earned DeFi scores based on their on-chain activities, which unlocked tiered rewards. This approach resulted in a vibrant and competitive community, showcasing the power of gamified SBT campaigns to drive engagement.

**Late Night DeFi**

Focused on incentivizing user interaction with leading DeFi projects, the [Late Night DeFi campaign](https://t.me/tbook_incentive_bot/tbook?startapp=1_tonsociety_56120827779159) used SBTs as rewards to grant access to exclusive benefits. With over 50,000 participants and $8 million in Total Value Locked (TVL), it demonstrated the effectiveness of SBT campaigns in driving engagement and ecosystem growth.

**TON Nest**

Designed to support early-stage projects, [TON Nest](https://t.me/tbook_incentive_bot/tbook?startapp=Wzld) rewarded contributors with SBTs that provided recognition and access to unique perks. Involving supporters directly showcased how SBT campaigns can empower even smaller initiatives while building a community where everyone feels valued.

## **Who should set up SBT campaigns**

**DeFi protocols**

DeFi projects can use SBT campaigns to recognize and reward their communities while driving engagement. Initiatives like Late Night DeFi have already proven the power of this approach, attracting over 40,000 retail users, driving over 30,000 on-chain interactions, and contributing more than $8 million in TVL to the TON ecosystem.

**Games**

SBT campaigns offer an exciting opportunity for games to reward and recognize their most dedicated players. By creating exclusive SBTs for high-achieving users, games can foster deeper player loyalty and engagement.

**Memecoins**

For memecoin projects, SBT campaigns offer a powerful way to celebrate and reward loyal token holders. It’s prestige with a side of fun—who doesn’t love that?

**Infrastructure projects**

Infrastructure projects can leverage SBT campaigns to reward early adopters, incentivize contributions, and enhance engagement programs. These can build trust, strengthen brand presence, and drive long-term engagement.

## **Building better SBT campaigns**

To run a successful SBT campaign, it’s important to have tools that simplify the process while maximizing impact. Key features to look for include:

1. **Credential verification:** Ensure the authenticity of actions and rewards, from on-chain to off-chain and even private credentials.
2. **Flexible reward systems:** Integrate SBTs, NFTs, stablecoins, or points into your campaigns. This flexibility enables you to craft personalized, multi-layered reward systems that best align with your campaign goals.
3. **Data-driven insights:** Leverage data to understand user behavior, refine engagement strategies, and maximize the effectiveness of your SBT campaigns.
4. **Strategic integration for success:** Connect with vibrant TON communities to enhance visibility and engagement.

One such tool is [TBook](https://t.me/tbook_incentive_bot), which simplifies SBT campaigns by offering AI-powered tools to drive meaningful engagement. With a focus on flexibility and actionable insights, TBook helps projects create impactful and successful campaigns within the TON ecosystem.

## **How to create your own SBT campaign**

Creating your SBT campaign starts with defining your goals and audience. Once you’ve outlined your vision, you can use the [tools available](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/make-sbt-campaign) within the TON ecosystem to bring it to life.

To get started efficiently, you can explore tools like [TBook](https://ulb4sjz6h5h.typeform.com/to/RByeTkfT), which provides resources for creating tailored incentive structures and ensuring the success of your campaign.

With the right approach and the available tools, you can transform participation into blockchain-backed recognition and strengthen your community.

SBT campaigns: encouraging ecosystem participation through incentives

From November 21 to December 16, 2024, TON Memelandia held two memecoin competitions with a large community reward pool.

In the **Cabal Arena**, teams of traders and memecoin creators battled to launch influential memecoins on TON’s pump.fun-style launchpads, competing for $350,000 in prizes.

On **Memecoin Mountain**, TON memecoins competed fiercely to scale the leaderboard. Projects with the best trading volume, market cap, diamond hands, holder growth, and community engagement will receive $150,000 in community airdrops.

## **Competition highlights**

Great narratives take time to unfold. Initially slated for four weeks, the competitions were extended to six weeks, giving participants more time to craft their stories and climb the rankings. The extension allowed more traders and creators to participate in the competition.

Each memecoin embarked on an expedition to carve out its narrative on TON. From hidden messages to community-driven utilities, these projects proved memecoins are more than just tokens; they're stories that bring communities together.

## **Ecosystem impact**

The competitions demonstrated TON memecoin potential by:

- Creating vibrant and competitive communities
- Attracting 20K unique traders and memecoin enthusiasts
- Generating $231M+ in trading volume
- Launching 54 new memecoin projects

## **Memecoin Mountain: the ascent**

32 memecoins participated—14 in the Major league and 18 in the Minor league—achieving impressive milestones.

**Airdrops:**

- Wallets qualified: 518
- Average airdrop reward: $289.57
- Minimum reward: $113.72
- Maximum reward: $980.39

**Major league winners:**

1. Du Rove’s Wall (@wall_jetton): $45,000
2. Ton Cat (@TonCatonTon): $30,000
3. Resistance Cat (@recaOfficialX): $15,000

**Minor League winners:**

1. Dark (@darkcoinmeme): $37,500
2. SadMeow (@SadMeowMP3): $22,500

**Collective metrics (Snapshot taken Dec 16, 2024, 00:06):**

- Total market cap: $476.96M
    - Major league: $461.95M
    - Minor league: $15.01M
- Total trading volume: $111.04M
    - Major league: $82.24M
    - Minor league: $28.8M

Winners will also be eligible for marketing rewards, such as Telegram Ads credits and KOL boosts.

## **Cabal Arena: the battleground**

The Cabal Arena featured strategic planning and notable achievements, with 10 top-performing teams launching seven unique tokens.

**Top launched tokens:**

1. **NIKO** reached a peak of $160M market cap
2. **ALIVE** scaled steadily to a $2.8M market cap
3. **LAMBO** raced up the mountain to a $1.34M market cap

**Key results:**

- Total trading volume: $120.88M
- Memecoins launched: 7 unique tokens
- Prize pool: $350,000 unlocked

**Top Cabal performers:**

1. JETTON Insiders (Score: 25,512)
2. Oxptimus Prime (Score: 2,836)
3. AliveBoard (Score: 2,063)

**Top Cabal performers and prizes:**

1. JETTON Insiders: $92,000 (26.3%)
2. Oxptimus prime: $66,000 (18.9%)
3. AliveBoard: $44,000 (12.6%)
4. Rekt Squad: $33,000 (9.4%)
5. Mandarin Spartans: $29,000 (8.3%)
6. Lazy Bobs with sponge: $26,000 (7.4%)
7. NEWJET: $22,000 (6.3%)
8. Victorious: $19,000 (5.4%)
9. New Ð¡abal: $19,000 (5.4%)

## **Driving the value of community-first memecoins**

Wrapping up TON Memelandia's first season, we gained crucial knowledge to enhance future events. The competition has established a base for more sophisticated community-driven memecoin endeavors.

Our key takeaways will help refine strategies, support more innovative projects, and continue pushing the boundaries of what memecoins can achieve.

To address concerns about the verification process, through our analysis, we identified irregularities in contest participation, hence the exclusion of certain projects. Among our key verification points were conducting anti-sybil and wash-trading analysis to ensure our genuine participants' interests.

While we celebrate the creativity of our community, we cannot ignore systematic attempts to game the system. Our primary commitments remained:

- Thoroughly validate contest participation
- Maintain ecosystem integrity
- Ensure fair prize distribution

Transparency is a top priority, and with new Memelandia activations on the horizon, we aim to continue developing the memecoin ecosystem on TON.

### **The Memecoin games have ended for now, but the memes continue to thrive!**

Thank you to every participant, trader, community member, and supporter who made this possible.

**Links 💎**

- https://ton.org/en/memelandia
- https://cabal-arena.fun/
- [@tonmemelandia202](https://t.me/tonmemelandia2024)
- [memecoinarmoury/form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfK0YjIz3Ymg8zrmW9fGxrXFUA4430QN8dgQGnyHMPa8gpuQ/viewform)

***Disclaimer**: Trading memecoins is highly speculative and involves significant risk. The value of memecoins can fluctuate wildly and may be subject to sudden and unpredictable price swings. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please do your own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions.*

TON Memelandia competitions: Memecoin Mountain and Cabal Arena battles come to a close

[Cattea](https://x.com/CatteaAI) has captured the spotlight within [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network), with nearly three million monthly users and [75% of its tokens](https://x.com/CatteaAI/status/1872205684407927044) allocated to the community. It combines blockchain technology with gaming, bubble tea, and optional ads, creating a fun and rewarding ecosystem for players.

Rooted in inspiration from a beloved tea-drinking tradition, Cattea has crafted a playful yet meaningful journey that blends the digital and real worlds in an addictive game. Committed to its growing community, it continues to advance and reimagine what’s possible when modern gaming and blockchain technology combine.

Here’s how the team has tackled challenges, captured attention, and laid the groundwork for an exciting game.

### **What inspired the “Drink to Earn” concept, and how did your team come together to bring Cattea to life?**

The “Drink to Earn” concept was born from our vision of blending real-world consumer experiences with digital innovation. Based in Hong Kong, we drew inspiration from the iconic Yuenyeung milk tea—a perfect fusion of coffee, tea, and milk symbolizing East-meets-West culture. We wanted to take this cultural gem global, pairing it with a fun, accessible Web3 gaming experience. The idea was to build a bridge between digital gaming and real-world bubble tea shops, creating a unique “earn while you sip” ecosystem. Our team, which brings together experts in blockchain, game design, and retail, worked tirelessly to turn this dream into reality.

### **What challenges did you face blending the real-world bubble tea shop experience with the digital match-3 game genre (like Candy Crash Saga)? Is there an actual bubble tea shop run by Cattea?**

The biggest challenge was seamlessly connecting in-game achievements with real-world benefits. We addressed this by partnering with renowned bubble tea brands, enabling players to redeem rewards like coupons and exclusive perks. While Cattea doesn’t directly operate its own bubble tea shop, our partnerships ensure a high-quality, authentic bubble tea experience for our players.

### **How do in-game ads contribute to monetization while rewarding players? What measures are in place to ensure they don’t disrupt gameplay?**

Cattea is free to play, and all ads are optional. Players can watch ads to earn rewards such as extra lives, exclusive items, or blockchain-based tokens. We carefully control the ad frequency and placement to avoid disrupting gameplay while offering players clear, tangible benefits.

### **The first level is quite easy, but there’s a sharp increase in difficulty afterward. How are you addressing feedback about the progression curve for new players?**

Our design philosophy embraces a balance of challenge and reward, inspired by successful games worldwide. To support new players, we’ve introduced progress rewards at key milestones (10%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 100% completion) and are refining the tutorial to smooth the onboarding process. This ensures accessibility for newcomers while retaining meaningful challenges for seasoned players.

### **How can players earn rewards through in-game ads, and how does this create value for both users and advertisers?**

Players earn rewards like game items, virtual currencies, and blockchain tokens by watching ads, enhancing their gaming experience at no cost. For advertisers, this model delivers a highly engaged, targeted audience. Blockchain transparency further validates the value and impact of each ad, making it a win-win for all parties.

### **How do you plan to build a loyal community around Cattea, and what strategies are in place to engage players beyond gameplay?**

Community is the heart of Cattea. We’re building loyalty through leaderboard challenges, seasonal events, and collaborations with bubble tea shops. With 75% of our tokens allocated for airdrops to the community, governance and ecosystem decisions will be shaped by player votes. This ensures that players are not just participants but co-creators of the Cattea universe.

### **What features are you introducing to encourage user-generated content (UGC) and foster interaction around Cattea and its bubble tea shops?**

We’re launching a “Bubble Tea Creator” feature, where players can design their own drinks and share them with the community. Popular creations might even make it onto the menu of partner shops. We’ll also reward user-generated content like game guides, fan art, and community event ideas, fostering creativity and deeper engagement.

### **What role does TON Blockchain play in Cattea’s ecosystem, and how does it enhance the “earn” aspect for players?**

TON powers Cattea’s rewards system with secure, transparent transactions. Players can use their earned tokens for discounts, collectible NFTs, and trading by integrating with TON. With TON’s seamless integration with Telegram, we’re reimagining traditional payment systems and aligning them with blockchain technology for a modern “RWA” (real-world asset) use case.

### **Are there plans to collaborate with other TON-based projects to create a complementary ad ecosystem?**

Absolutely. We aim to build a unified ad and reward ecosystem within the TON network. For instance, tokens earned through Cattea ads could be used across other TON-based apps, including lightweight DeFi projects. This value circulation benefits the entire TON ecosystem while enhancing user engagement.

### **What’s your vision for Cattea and TON over the next 2–3 years? How will you evolve the game while complementing TON’s services?**

Our vision is to position Cattea as the flagship app for Web2 users transitioning into Web3, showcasing the power of TON Blockchain. Over the next few years, we’ll expand Cattea into a global beverage brand, introducing more games, UGC-driven features, and AI-powered drink customization. By aligning real-world needs with technological innovation, we aim to energize TON’s ecosystem and establish Cattea as the top Web3 beverage brand.

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

TON Giants: Cattea

The Open Network Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the TON community, announced today an expansion of its partnership with Telegram Messenger, as part of which **TON becomes the exclusive blockchain infrastructure** powering Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem and supporting Telegram’s global user base of over 950 million monthly active users.

Since the Foundation and Telegram announced their [joint initiative](https://blog.ton.org/building-a-web3-ecosystem-in-telegram-with-toncoin) in 2023, the TON ecosystem has experienced unprecedented growth and widespread adoption. Telegram’s updates to its mini app platform, the use of Toncoin for pay-ins and payouts, and its advertising platform played a significant role in the growth of TON’s network. The new exclusivity agreement deepens the technological ties between TON and Telegram.

## **Unifying on-chain user experience through TON Connect**

Central to this collaboration is adopting TON’s wallet connect protocol, [TON Connect](https://blog.ton.org/ton-connect-the-future-without-passwords), as the **exclusive protocol** for linking Telegram Mini Apps to blockchain wallets. This initiative provides a simplified user experience where all Web3 mini apps in Telegram will use TON to connect and authorize blockchain transactions.

All mini apps utilizing blockchain in any capacity, including custodial and non-custodial wallets, user authorization, on-chain signatures, and the sending and receiving of blockchain-based assets, must implement TON Connect as their exclusive wallet connect protocol in the next month.

## **TON Blockchain and Toncoin become exclusive for Telegram platform**

Furthermore, Telegram will continue to accept **Toncoin as the only cryptocurrency** for non-fiat payments made for the assets and services offered by its platform, including [Telegram Stars](https://blog.ton.org/telegram-stars-and-ton-ecosystem), Telegram Premium, Telegram Ads, and Telegram Gateway, a platform alternative to traditional SMS verification. Additionally, Toncoin will be the only currency used to pay Telegram Mini App developers and channel owners for their earned Telegram Stars and advertisement revenue.

## **Tokenization of digital assets from Telegram platform**

Telegram plans to tokenize digital assets exclusively on TON Blockchain within the platform, including emojis and stickers, among other digital assets, while also tokenizing limited edition gifts as NFTs.

“After laying foundational groundwork over the last years, TON is now ready for explosive growth in 2025. The re-energized, deepened, and exclusive partnership with Telegram is an important step in our roadmap”, said Manuel Stotz, President of The Open Network Foundation. “Telegram is the sixth most downloaded app in the world, a beacon for free speech, and the default messaging platform for the global blockchain community. No other blockchain has a comparable distribution vector. As TON continues its global expansion, we reiterate our ambition to empower over 500 million users before the end of the decade.”

## **Promotion of TON-based mini apps on Telegram**

Developers are encouraged to begin the migration process to ensure a seamless transition and avoid user service interruptions. Those who migrate within Telegram’s deadline will receive additional benefits from TON Foundation, including promotional support. As part of this initiative, developers can apply for [**up to $50,000 in Ad Credit grants**](https://questbook.app/proposal_form/?grantId=6785330d80bdbe2661534236&chainId=10&utm_source=questbook&utm_medium=grant_details&utm_campaign=share) to accelerate growth within the TON ecosystem. To ensure a successful migration, TON Foundation also offers **exclusive technical support, community onboarding**, and **marketing opportunities.**

Detailed guidelines and FAQ for developers are available [here](https://core.telegram.org/bots/blockchain-guidelines).

Get your mini app in front of Telegram’s 950M+ users and be part of the TON-powered future today!

Still have questions? Join the discussion:

Blockchain Development chats:

- [TON Dev Chat (EN)](https://t.me/tondev_eng) 
- [TON Dev Chat (РУ)](https://t.me/tondev) 
- [TON Dev Chat (中文)](https://t.me/tondev_zh) 

Telegram Mini Apps Development chats:

- [TMA Devs EN](https://t.me/devs)
- [TMA Devs RU](https://t.me/tmabuild)
- [TMA Devs 中文](https://t.me/devs_zh)

TON Foundation expands partnership with Telegram, making TON the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s mini apps ecosystem


Meet Catton, another standout team in the TON Giants series.

This feline-themed platform combines AI-powered gaming with [decentralized finance (DeFi)](https://blog.ton.org/embrace-de-fi-on-ton-with-tasks-challenges-and-rewards), turning traditional gameplay into a rewarding experience while making blockchain more accessible to wider audiences.

At The Open League Summer 2024 Hackathon, Catton stole the spotlight by prioritizing user growth and engagement. A key pillar of their strategy was simplifying the use of [Web3 wallets](https://blog.ton.org/introducing-the-w5-smart-wallet-evolving-transactions-on-ton-blockchain), an approach that earned them a [KuCoin prize](https://blog.ton.org/a-look-back-at-the-open-league-hackathon-meet-the-winners).

They also worked closely with partners like Wcoin, Bitget, Genesisweb3, TonGifts, and SecondLive, and tapped into the [TON developer](https://blog.ton.org/a-developer-s-primer-to-ton-ecosystem) community to grow their user base. These efforts led to impressive results: over 600,000 social media users, 454,000 players, and 192,000 on-chain transactions.

For anyone eyeing upcoming hackathons, Catton’s journey is one to watch.

### **Can you start by introducing your team and sharing how you came together for the Summer Hackathon?**

Our team consists of 10 engineers who have been developing Web3 applications since 2020. We have completed multiple projects in the crypto industry, including liquidity platforms, crypto exchanges, NFT [GameFi](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram) projects, and perpetual decentralized exchanges (Perp DEXs). We are also one of the top game studios in Southeast Asia with 100 million users and ~1M DAU, established in 2015. We have released various games, from casual and mid-core to hybrid casual, with dozens of games published on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

### **What initially motivated your team to participate in the TON Summer Hackathon, and what inspired the project that ultimately led to your win?**

We see the potential for mass adoption of Telegram and [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network). With Telegram's massive user base of almost 1 billion users, transitioning them to TON presents a huge opportunity. Based on that, we created Catton to attract users and strategized to get them to use Web3 wallets and sign transactions, generating good traction and growth.

### **For those of you who were new to the Summer Hackathon, how did your previous hackathon experiences influence your approach this time around?**

We prioritized building strong traction; the numbers will prove the effectiveness of the project's strategy. Here are our current metrics:

- 600,000+ social users
- 454,000+ in-game users
- 192,000+ on-chain transactions

### **During the development process, what were some of the key challenges you faced while building on the TON blockchain, and how did you work through them?**

The main challenge was attracting users. In the early stages, it's difficult for new projects to get users' attention among thousands of projects on TON. We contacted partners and did cross-task marketing to attract the initial 10,000 users, and from there, we sought similar partners to launch campaigns to increase users gradually.

### **Were there any particular tools or features on the TON blockchain that proved especially helpful in developing your project? What resources would you recommend future Hackers League entrants make the most of?**

The most helpful was the developer support community—interacting with other builders in TON’s developer and hackathon groups and participating in TON Society events to gain insights and understand what TON Foundation is looking for from projects. Also, the SDK documentation helps add TON Blockchain into a game, showing users how they can interact with the blockchain.

### **Looking back, what was the most rewarding part of the Summer Hackathon for your team, and how do you think this experience has contributed to where your project is now?**

The biggest reward we received after the Summer Hackathon was support from TON Nest: doing an AMA with TON Society, participating in pitches with TON Ventures, TON Foundation, TON Accelerator, TON Grants, The Open League, and receiving [mentorship](https://blog.ton.org/mastering-telegram-mini-apps) support. This helped us gain more user recognition and facilitated our fundraising process, such as being incubated by Forj, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands.

### **Finally, what advice would you give to those looking to participate in the upcoming Hackers League Hackathon?**

1. You should find out what TON needs and focus on identifying which pieces are currently missing.
2. Participate in AMAs, Spaces, and events on TON Society to grasp insights from TON and thereby set the right direction for your product.
3. You should create traction metrics even when your project is still an MVP; this is an advantage as it demonstrates that your model works well.

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

TON Giants: Catton


In this edition of the TON Innovators series, we’re turning the spotlight on TON Punks, an NFT collection that goes beyond cool digital art.

Picture unique avatars, a buzzing community, and the excitement of GameFi, all built on TON. Inspired by Ethereum’s CryptoPunks, TON Punks features 9,999 unique NFTs, each with its own personality and individuality.

But this isn’t just about collectibles. The team behind TON Punks is building a play-to-earn [GameFi experience fully integrated with Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram). TON Punks blends art, gaming, and community in a metaverse powered by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and PUNK tokens, allowing members to play, collaborate, and shape the project's future.

Let’s jump into the interview and discover what makes TON Punks unique.

### **Welcome to TON Innovators. Your team can be considered one of the pioneers of NFTs on TON. What made you launch the Punks on TON when it was still in its nascent stage?**

We’re pleased to be here! When we first explored [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network) and prepared our collection, we realized that TON is deeply inspired by the Digital Resistance movement. Its purpose is to create and maintain a self-sustainable platform that delivers performant, secure, and flexible services to its users.

We support these principles and have joined TON’s mission, expanding it by focusing on how users can express themselves. NFTs serve as the best way to fulfil this as they remain permanently stored on the blockchain. Punks as visuals align perfectly to show off the uniqueness of each of us. These elements combined resulted in what is now known as TON Punks.

TON Punks is not just a collection—it’s a community, a set of principles, and an ecosystem.

### **Tell us more about the people behind TON Punks.**

TON Punks’ core team comprises senior developers, designers, marketers, and managers. They’ve been working continuously and will continue to work on the development of our ecosystem in full accordance with our mission, roadmap, and most importantly, DAO decisions.

Building on what we mentioned earlier, it’s not just about the core team. It’s about the mission and the collective community guiding professionals on their next steps.

### **What makes TON Punks unique in the NFT space?**

We’re very proud of being the first on-chain NFT collection on TON. This shouldn’t be considered bragging. Rather, it's a result of a known approach. When most doubted TON’s future, we became “the digital rebels” and pushed forward.

*“Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”*

We believe our uniqueness lies in our shared mindset of openness and adoption.

### **Why should I own a punk?**

It’s up to you whether you want to own a Punk NFT or not. However, we could suggest why you might be interested:

- Your Punk is your universal digital persona—whether you want it to represent your real identity or serve as a pseudonym.
- Your Punk is an access key to the private community and DAO behind the PUNK ecosystem. It gives you a share of power (use it wisely and with caution).
- Your Punk is a collection of benefits—both internal (available within our ecosystem) and external (obtainable through partnerships).

### **Can you explain the role of the PUNK token in the TON Punks ecosystem?**

PUNK is the utility token fueling the whole TON Punks ecosystem. It serves as a source of user incentives, drives the economy, and is the universal currency across our applications.

### **Can you briefly explain how Punks function within the play-to-earn ecosystem?**

We’re building a GameFi ecosystem that is deeply engaging and integrates PUNK extensively. Our latest and most popular game, Cubes?, reached over 5.7 million users. The game offers a meditative experience where players mine cubes to find questions, creating a relaxing environment. What’s inside these cubes? That’s a mystery we’ll reveal soon!

### **Say I want to purchase PUNK. How can I get it?**

PUNK is [officially listed](https://app.ston.fi/swap/ton/punk) on Ston.fi, a major TON DEX. Our PUNK/TON pool ranks among the leaders based on total value locked (TVL), so you should expect smooth swaps with default settings. Just get some TON, hop onto Ston.fi, select the desired amount, and hit **Swap**. Tokens will arrive as soon as the transaction finalizes.

### **What upcoming features and expansions can players look forward to for TON Punks?**

Mystery has always been our defining feature. Throughout our journey, the community has shown us that a big announcement doesn’t necessarily mean great success. That said, we’ve been delivering a consistent and reasonable update pipeline, surprising our fans and attracting millions of users. Let’s keep going!

We leave you with this:

TON Punks is more than just a collection of digital avatars. It's a growing ecosystem built on [decentralization](https://blog.ton.org/ton-s-path-to-decentralization-the-evolution-of-the-governance-model), freedom, and enlightenment. The dedication and vision of the team behind TON Punks have created a project that resonates with the values of TON's community.

Learn more about TON Punks on the following platforms.

[Website](https://punkcity.bot/) | [Wiki](https://tonwiki.space/wiki/TON_Punks#Marketplaces_and_Trading) | [Twitter](https://x.com/TonPunks) | [Telegram](https://t.me/TONPunksENG)

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

TON Innovators: TON Punks

Get ready for the next team in the **TON Giants Series**.

To truly grasp the power of innovation and teamwork showcased in [The Open League Summer 2024 Hackathon](https://blog.ton.org/a-look-back-at-the-open-league-hackathon-meet-the-winners), there’s no better way than to hear from the participants themselves.

Introducing **SettleTON**, a project improving passive investing and yield farming on TON Network. Designed for the modern investor, SettleTON offers a one-click solution for investing in a curated index of TON projects. With its auto-reinvestment feature, users can steadily grow their assets.

SettleTON achieved **$120,000 TVL** in just a month and seen a remarkable **160%** growth, attracting **30,000 monthly users**. The current TVL is $250,000 with an all-time high TVL of $500,000. Some vaults boast between **100-200%** **APY** rates and their NFT collection has reached **1,600 TON** in sales.

As part of the TON Giants Series, we highlight SettleTON’s innovative contributions during The Open League Hackathon. With their strong TradFi background and a determination to create something truly new, the team’s efforts paid off.

Here’s a look at their journey and insights from their Open League Hackathon experience:

### **Can you start by introducing your team and sharing how you came together for The Open League Hackathon?**

We are a dedicated team with extensive experience in TradFi. The current team at SettleTON consists of four developers, one UX/UI designer, and one marketing/product manager. Previously, we won the EVAA hackathon for liquidation bots with a low-latency solution and were eager to participate in the TON Foundation hackathon. The bootcamps played a crucial role in helping us collaborate effectively and gather valuable feedback from the judges.

### **What initially motivated your team to participate in The Open League Hackathon, and what inspired the project that ultimately led to your win?**

The prize pool was definitely a motivating factor, but more importantly, we had confidence in our strong team and believed we could win. Our focus was solely on securing the top spot; we weren’t even looking at the second and third positions. Our unity, determination, and countless sleepless nights drove us to success.

### **For those of you who were new to The Open League Hackathon, how did your previous hackathon experiences influence your approach this time around?**

Our strategy was straightforward. We developed solutions that no other builder on TON has ever encountered. Recognizing this gap, along with maintaining open communication and actively seeking feedback, was key to our victory.

### **During the development process, what were some of the key challenges you faced while building on TON Blockchain, and how did you work through them?**

One of the main challenges we faced was deciding between using FunC or Tact for smart contract development. Although Tact is more beginner-friendly, we built our DeFi project using FunC because it allowed us to develop at a lower level, closer to the actual TVM instructions, even though it came with higher initial barriers to entry.

Another challenge was the inevitable complexity of the TON ecosystem itself. To overcome this, we leveraged the strength of the TON builders' community. By actively engaging in public and private chats, we could tap into the collective knowledge and resolve issues in minutes rather than spending days or weeks troubleshooting problems that others had already encountered and solved. This collaborative approach was crucial in speeding up the development process and navigating the technical challenges we faced.

### **Were there any particular tools or features on TON Blockchain that proved especially helpful in developing your project? What resources would you recommend future hackathon entrants make the most of?**

Don’t spend time on the testnet; you can test everything via Sandbox and Blueprint frameworks. It would be challenging to convert all of your users into mainnet. Do as many tests as possible, both with positive and negative scenarios. Write and review them daily.

### **Looking back, what was the most rewarding part of The Open League Hackathon for your team, and how do you think this experience has contributed to where your project is now?**

The bootcamps were immensely beneficial for us. Winning at the bootcamp and securing the top spot fueled our motivation. We didn’t stop there; we attended additional bootcamps to gather more feedback and to network. The Notion documents on winning strategies, pitch deck creation, and application emphasis helped us refine our approach. We’ve integrated this experience to develop a product that truly meets user needs.

### **Finally, what advice would you give to those looking to participate in upcoming hackathons?**

Focus on positioning, crafting your narrative, onboarding, building community, and delivering user value. Assemble a great team, and you’ll have what it takes to win the hackathon!

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

TON Giants: SettleTON

*This article is informed by research conducted by [Animoca Brands Research](https://x.com/animocaresearch). All data, statistics, and insights referenced are derived from their reports, [TON Part 1: TON + Telegram = Path To 1 Billion Web3 Users?](https://research.animocabrands.com/post/cm1rn374f1dgn07mfiyrcnf2m) and [TON Part 2: A Win-Win Outcome From One Year Of Partnership](https://research.animocabrands.com/post/cm475at4c2jyp07mfpu6v67il). For original analysis and detailed insights, please refer to the Animoca Brands Research report.*


<br>Sending digital tokens to a friend, playing blockchain-based games, and owning collectibles have never been easier. Thanks to the collaboration [between TON and Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/building-a-web3-ecosystem-in-telegram-with-toncoin)—one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms with [over 950 million users](https://t.me/durov/337)—these features are now seamlessly embedded into a single app, eliminating the need for multiple tools and technical know-how.

This article is the second entry in our **Probably Something** series. Following our deep dive into [TON’s mass minting history](https://blog.ton.org/history-of-mass-minting-on-ton), we’re exploring how TON and Telegram are teaming up to take Web3 mainstream.

## **The TON and Telegram collaboration**

First, some context. TON began as a project originally developed by Telegram but has since evolved into a **decentralized, community-driven blockchain.** Fast forward to today, Telegram has joined hands with TON once again, positioning it as the blockchain to bring Web3 to the masses. Together, they’ve launched initiatives like TON Space, a built-in, non-custodial wallet, [Telegram Mini Apps](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps), applications that run within Telegram, and [Telegram Stars](https://blog.ton.org/telegram-stars-and-ton-ecosystem), an in-app payment solution.

 ![Telegram TON_1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Telegram_TON_1_ef4cfa6219/Telegram_TON_1_ef4cfa6219.png) 

Telegram is integrating TON to make the blockchain accessible to millions of users. Features like wallet integration, easy token transfers, and in-chat services **bring blockchain tech closer to everyday use.** Conversely, TON provides the [foundation for building Telegram Mini Apps](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps) on their platform to encourage user onboarding.

## **The three-step formula for Web3 adoption**

TON and Telegram joined forces with one bold goal: to **onboard 30% of Telegram’s massive user base to TON Blockchain by 2028.** How do you make something as complex as crypto appealing to millions? The answer lies in a three-step approach:

 ![Telegram TON_2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Telegram_TON_2_d2c7fc750d/Telegram_TON_2_d2c7fc750d.png) 

1. **Gamify the experience**: Introduce users to blockchain through fun, tap-to-earn games.
2. **Tokenize the transition**: Convert casual gamers into crypto users with token airdrops.
3. **Keep them hooked**: Engage users with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

It’s a clever funnel: entertain first, educate later. Games like [Notcoin](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-notcoin), Hamster Kombat, and [Catizen](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-catizen-2) became gateways for millions, blending simplicity with rewards to attract Telegram users to Web3.

### **Notcoin: Where social games meet blockchain rewards**

What happens when you combine casual gaming with token rewards? You get Notcoin, a viral hit that improved blockchain engagement. Launched in early 2024, the tap-to-earn game attracted 35 million users within weeks. But it didn’t stop there. Notcoin converted these players into active blockchain users through token airdrops, doubling TON’s activated wallets to 8.5 million in just one month.

Why did Notcoin succeed? **Because it made crypto approachable.** No jargon, no technical hurdles—just simple gameplay and the promise of tangible rewards.

### **Hamster Kombat and Catizen: Fun drives adoption**

If Notcoin laid the groundwork, Hamster Kombat and Catizen built on it. These games added a new dimension to Telegram, with over 300 million and 39 million users respectively. Both games leveraged TON’s infrastructure to distribute rewards, turning casual players into crypto adopters.

 ![Telegram TON_3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Telegram_TON_3_2980aa7451/Telegram_TON_3_2980aa7451.png) 

By October 2024, TON boasted 34 million activated wallets, largely thanks to these social games. More importantly, the surge in activity translated to real-world value, with TON transactions reaching 220 million per month—a 30x increase from the previous year.

### **Turning gamers into crypto holders: the magic of airdrops**

Once users were hooked on games, introducing them to cryptocurrency ownership was the next step. Here’s where airdrops came in. TON made crypto tangible by converting in-game points into tokens with real market value. This seamless transition bridged the gap between Web2 and Web3, encouraging users to explore blockchain wallets and transactions.

For Telegram, the integration of wallets like TON Space was a game-changer. By November 2024, this non-custodial wallet hit 100 million registrations, marking a significant milestone in onboarding users to DeFi.

## **Telegram Mini Apps: the path to Web3 utility**

Imagine [ordering a cab](https://blog.ton.org/tada-and-ton-foundation), [playing games](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram), or even trading digital assets without ever leaving Telegram. That’s the promise of mini apps. These Telegram-based applications offer users a gateway to blockchain services without needing to leave the platform. Think of them as the bridge between Telegram’s Web2 roots and TON’s Web3 ambitions. They help TON achieve one of its goals—[building a Web3 ecosystem within Telegram](https://blog.ton.org/building-a-web3-ecosystem-in-telegram-with-toncoin).

By July 2024, over 500 million users engaged with Telegram Mini Apps monthly—a high number that speaks to their appeal.

## **From games to DeFi: retaining the crypto crowd**

Once users enter the crypto ecosystem, retention is the next step. TON tackled user retention challenges with DeFi applications, offering lending, staking, and trading opportunities. These tools transformed passive users into active participants, driving engagement and boosting the ecosystem’s total value locked (TVL) to $726 million by October 2024.

 ![Telegram TON_4.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Telegram_TON_4_237fe1725e/Telegram_TON_4_237fe1725e.png) 

[The Open League](https://blog.ton.org/category/the_open_league), an incentive program rewarding high-performing projects, further bolstered retention. TON encouraged sustained activity across its decentralized apps (dApps) by shifting from grants to user-driven rewards.

## **The bigger picture: why this collaboration matters**

The TON and Telegram collaboration is as much about accessibility as it is about crypto. By integrating blockchain into a platform already used by nearly a billion people, **Telegram is making Web3 less intimidating.** And TON, with its scalable infrastructure, is proving that blockchain can handle mainstream adoption.

This strategic relationship has also been a financial win. Telegram’s 2024 revenue is projected to surpass $1 billion, thanks in part to TON-driven initiatives like mini apps, wallets, and collectible sales. Meanwhile, TON’s ecosystem continues to grow, positioning it as a leader among Layer 1 blockchains.

## **What’s in it for you?**

For developers, this is a call to action. If you’re building in Web3, TON’s integration with Telegram offers a ready-made audience and the tools to create impactful projects. You can explore as many applications as possible, whether it’s NFTs, games, or payment systems.

Meanwhile, for users, this could mean accessing blockchain services without downloading yet another app or figuring out complicated wallet setups. It’s about making Web3 feel more like Web2 but with better ownership and control.

## **The final word**

TON and Telegram are achieving what many in the blockchain space have struggled to achieve—**bringing decentralization and usability together** in a way that feels seamless and intuitive.

This isn’t just about crypto. It’s about giving you the tools that fit effortlessly into your life. Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or just curious, TON and Telegram make the transition to Web3 intuitive and rewarding.

And this is just the beginning. With ambitious goals and a proven track record, TON and Telegram will improve digital interactions. So, the next time you share a meme or play a game on Telegram, know that you’re part of a movement that’s shaping the future of blockchain.

Probably Something: how TON and Telegram are bringing Web3 to the masses

2024 was **legendary.** From shattering records to dropping game-changing innovations, TON didn’t just show up—**we took over.**

But let’s keep it real: none of this would’ve been possible without **you**—our users, partners, and sponsors. You’re the reason TON went from building quietly to dominating loudly. So, thank you for riding with us.

As we close out this incredible year, we’re here to celebrate the milestones we reached together. Buckle up as we dive into the highlights that set the stage for an even brighter 2025.

## **Big numbers, bigger wins**

This year, we didn’t just grow—we made history:

- **New users:** 36.2M users started using TON Blockchain
- **Monthly active wallets:** 12.4M wallets at their all-time high (ATH), a 110x growth
- **Total value locked (TVL):** From $537K on January 1 to $773M in July, another ATH
- **USDT:** 1B+ in circulation, making TON the fastest chain in Tether’s history to hit this milestone
- **NFTs:** 17M minted
- **SBTs:** 7.1M minted
- **Toncoin:** Now listed on 50+ exchanges, including new listing on Binance, Bithumb, Revolut, and HashKey, with $16B daily trading volume
- **Interoperability:** Integrated with 17+ chains including Ethereum, Solana, Bitcoin, leveraging protocols like [Axelar](https://blog.ton.org/ton-axelar-integration) and Rhino.fi
- **Community events:** Hosted 182 global offline events with 35K+ participants and 2 hackathons with 8K+ registered developers
- **The Open League:** 8 seasons, 200+ projects, $26M+ distributed

## **TON’s 2024 playbook**

We went all in: scaling, innovating, and onboarding millions, all while redefining what blockchain can achieve. From cutting-edge tools and programs to real-world partnerships and integrations, we blew open the doors for developers and users to thrive.

You saw it. You felt it. Every stat, every milestone, and every event is proof that TON isn’t just a character in the blockchain story—it’s **writing the next chapter.**

## **USDT on TON: crypto in every pocket**

April 2024 saw the [launch of USDT on TON](https://blog.ton.org/usdt-comes-to-ton-embrace-the-true-peer-to-peer-experience), making the world’s largest stablecoin accessible to over **950 million users** on Telegram. Sending and receiving USDT is now as simple, instant, and feeless as sending a text.

With over 1 billion USDt-TON in circulation and [over 120 integrations](https://blog.ton.org/us-dt-on-ton-is-now-available-on-over-100-platforms-worldwide) across centralized exchanges (CEXs), wallets, payment providers, and more, we’re closer than ever to our goal of putting crypto in every pocket.

To celebrate the launch, 11 million Toncoin was up for grabs for early adopters—a fitting reward for the pioneers of a new era in blockchain.

## **DeFi growth**

TON DeFi skyrocketed with an eye-popping **143,947% growth in TVL at its ATH.** Yes, you read that right. We’re not talking incremental progress; we’re talking **liftoff.** By mid-year, TVL hit an ATH of $773 million before cruising steadily between $300 million and $400 million for the rest of the year.

The highlights? A 5x explosion in DeFi projects, scaling from fewer than 10 in January to over 50 by November. From stable swaps to lending protocols, perpetual trading, interoperability solutions, and oracle integrations, TON became the go-to hub for innovation.

In 2025, TON will see [TON Teleport BTC](https://blog.ton.org/unlocking-the-future-of-bitcoin-with-ton-teleport-btc) as a native trustless bridge connecting the TON and BTC ecosystems. TON Teleport's testnet (launched in November) reduces BTC transfer fees by 10x, opening new possibilities for BTC holders.

The DeFi growth didn’t stop there. Collaborations with powerhouses like [Curve Finance](https://blog.ton.org/ton-foundation-and-curve-finance) and [Jupiter Exchange](https://jup.ag/) brought fresh liquidity and backing from top VCs.

## **Tap-to-earn: a new era in gaming**

TON leveled up [gaming](https://blog.ton.org/the-future-of-game-fi-on-ton-playing-games-on-telegram) in 2024, bringing a fresh wave of innovation with tap-to-earn and a mix of casual and midcore hits, **onboarding millions to TON.** The first viral smash? [Notcoin](https://blog.ton.org/virality-masterclass-notcoins-rise-to-4m-players). With 35 million active users (MAU), it sent shockwaves through the space, even landing as one of the top three most-traded cryptocurrencies globally. But that was just the beginning. Hamster Kombat (204 million MAU), Dogs (52 million MAU), and [Catizen](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-catizen-2) (22 million MAU) turned tap-to-earn into a phenomenon, drawing gamers in droves.

Mass adoption met mass generosity, with 50 million users scoring airdrops totaling over $1.5 billion in value. [Mass minting](https://blog.ton.org/history-of-mass-minting-on-ton) tools like Mass Sender and Mintless Jettons made the distribution seamless, turning gamers into crypto holders overnight. Exchanges couldn’t look away, racing to list TON-based gaming tokens.

## **Memecoin szn**

With DOGS reaching 6.3 million holders (ATH) and Notcoin hitting 2.8 million (ATH), TON now boasts the largest memecoins by holder count in Web3. Trading volumes jumped 358% from July to November, while memecoin launches surged 524%, fueled by 8+ active memepads.

At the center of it all was [TON Memelandia](https://blog.ton.org/memelandia-digest-1), driving the narrative with a $5 million grant program, $1.25 million in trading competition rewards, and appearances at key industry events like [TOKEN2049](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQxxO_0_Vt4&list=PLzF1OAbyoK_lhX0DmfSVy7fmiCx52jM7k), [TON Gateway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7zA6K8-oWM&list=PLzF1OAbyoK_nNgvww_S2TRScWmzIIM1WB), and DevCon.

## **The TON and Telegram magic**

When you mix nearly a billion Telegram users with TON Blockchain, magic happens. Whether you’re sending tokens to a friend, gaming, or trading crypto, this duo is proving that **decentralization and usability can actually get along.** No tech-induced headaches, no extra downloads—just pure simplicity, making crypto and decentralized apps (dApps) more accessible than ever.

The secret sauce? [Telegram Mini Apps](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps), lightweight applications that run within Telegram. But that’s not all. Telegram’s ad revenue-sharing program now allows creators to earn 50% of the ad revenue generated from their content. It’s a game-changer that encourages founders, developers, and creators to build more on Telegram and TON—a win-win for everyone.

And let’s not forget [Telegram Stars](https://blog.ton.org/telegram-stars-and-ton-ecosystem), Telegram’s new in-app payment solution. From in-game purchases to services and beyond, it’s designed to lower entry barriers, enabling anyone to dive in—no crypto knowledge required.

## **Real-world use cases, real impact**

It’s not just tech. It’s utility. From payments to ride-hailing, TON is leading the way in proving that **crypto can do more than just sit in a wallet**—it can power real-life solutions for everyday people.

For example, [Tonhub’s Visa debit card](https://x.com/ton_blockchain/status/1854577800407032049). Imagine making payments directly from your TON or USDT balance, whether it’s groceries, coffee, or online shopping. These crypto-powered cards seamlessly integrate with SEPA, SWIFT, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, making crypto spending as easy as swiping or tapping.

## **Ecosystem wins: the backbone of TON**

The numbers speak for themselves—TON has become a magnet for developers, innovators, and builders across Web3.

Both the Open League and Hackers League hackathons crushed expectations. Each season drew over 1,000 applications, with the [Winter edition](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-hackathon-winter-2024-winners) closing out with a $3 million prize pool and the sharpest minds in the space. Not to forget [The Open League](https://blog.ton.org/the-open-league-new-year-season-review), which capped off 2024 with eight epic seasons, over 200 participating projects, and over $26 million in distributed rewards.

Behind the scenes, TON’s infrastructure had a major glow-up. Wallets like [Tonkeeper](https://blog.ton.org/tonkeeper-releases-huge-update),[@wallet](https://t.me/wallet) and TON Space made managing crypto effortless, while [institutional-grade custody solutions](https://blog.ton.org/toncoin-holders-may-now-use-bit-go-web3-s-leading-crypto-custodial-service) ensured Toncoin holders slept easy. On the trading front, TON hit the big leagues with listings on 50+ top exchanges, including Binance, Bithumb, and Hashkey, sending daily trading volumes to $16 billion. Meanwhile, analytics platforms like [Dune](https://blog.ton.org/ton-dune-integration) and [TradingView](https://blog.ton.org/stonfi-dedust-tradingview-integration) handed developers and users the tools they need to track, analyze, and thrive.

## **Community on fire**

In 2024, the TON community brought the heat, turning local events into global sensations. From the HK Web3 Festival in APAC, where TON was the title sponsor, to Korean Blockchain Week, TOKEN2049, and record-breaking participation at the TON Gateway event in MENA, the energy was electric.

Local hubs kept the momentum alive, fostering grassroots innovation and education across the globe. TON Society’s 11 hubs hosted an impressive 182 offline events, engaging over 35,000 participants in meetups, bootcamps, hackathons, and more. Meanwhile, millions are connected on Telegram, solidifying TON’s global presence across 30 regional and international channels.

Want to get involved? [Find your local hub or event here](https://society.ton.org/about).

## **Don’t just take our word for it**

Hear it from the industry’s leaders:

- **Animoca Brands:**
    - [TON Part 1: TON + Telegram = Path To 1 Billion Web3 Users?](https://research.animocabrands.com/post/cm1rn374f1dgn07mfiyrcnf2m)
    - [TON Part 2: A Win-Win Outcome From One Year Of Partnership.](https://research.animocabrands.com/post/cm475at4c2jyp07mfpu6v67il)
- **Pantera Capital:**
    - [TON, Our Largest Investment Ever](https://panteracapital.com/blockchain-letter/ton-our-largest-investment-ever/)
- **GSR Markets:**
    - [The Open Network DeFi Opportunity](https://www.gsr.io/reports/the-open-network-defi-opportunity/)

When the titans of Web3 call TON their next big thing, you know we’re doing something right.

 ![image.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_76d7032681/image_76d7032681.png) 

## **What’s next in 2025?**

2024 set the stage, but 2025? That’s when the real magic begins. TON isn’t just riding the momentum—it’s rewriting the playbook for blockchain adoption. With a laser focus on **decentralization, utility, and mass adoption,** we’re gearing up for an even bigger year.

Here’s what’s coming: increase on-chain user retention, TON Teleport BTC, Society DAO, and initiatives across GameFi, payments, DeFi and memecoins.

2024 proved that TON can deliver. 2025 will show the world just how far we can go. Let’s keep building. 💎

**Don’t miss out on the alpha:**

**TON:** [Website](https://ton.org/) | [Telegram (Announcements)](https://t.me/toncoin) | [Telegram (Chat)](https://t.me/toncoin_chat) | [X](https://x.com/ton_blockchain)

**TON Society:** [Website](https://society.ton.org/activities/active) | [Telegram (Announcements)](https://t.me/tonsociety) | [Telegram (Chat)](https://t.me/tonsociety_chat) | [X](https://twitter.com/ton_society)

2024 wrapped: TON’s year of unstoppable growth

[The Open Network Foundation](https://ton.foundation/), a non-profit organization accelerating the growth of TON Blockchain, is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with [Jupiter](https://jup.ag/), a leading spot and perps decentralized trading platform anchored by the largest active decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) in crypto. Together, the two companies aim to enhance liquidity aggregation on TON with the best implementation of liquidity aggregator on TON Virtual Machine (TVM), and pave the way for cross-chain swap integrations that will shape the future of decentralized finance (DeFi).

The partnership with Jupiter represents TON’s dedication to developing a scalable DeFi ecosystem, utilizing Jupiter’s expertise and network to unlock new interchain trading opportunities. By enabling users to find the best rates and access liquidity across blockchain networks, TON can further empower developers and traders by providing them with the tools needed to thrive in the DeFi space.

To start this new collaboration, TON Foundation and Jupiter are launching a DeFi competition to foster innovation within the TON ecosystem.

## **Driving DeFi excellence through competition**

The competition welcomes both current and in-development aggregation projects on TON to showcase their solutions and compete for significant rewards. The winning projects will receive:

- **Advisory support from Jupiter**: Gain insights and receive go-to-market strategy advice, route optimization, and liquidity management from one of the leaders in DeFi and aggregation.
- **TON Foundation backing**: Leverage resources and funding to accelerate project growth and adoption within the TON ecosystem.

The competition is **now open** and the winners will be announced on **February 15, 2025.** Following submission, participants are required to present their DeFi solutions, showcase features, and engage with the community.

**Teams can submit their applications to participate in the competition [via this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfs7J3LiMyLWMerLJYErW9JQw-CZwHhl3cs8dgASsd54khLWw/viewform?usp=sf_link).**

> “TON is one of the most exciting and untapped blockchains in the space, with immense potential for growth once the ecosystem is unlocked. This is an awesome initiative by TON Foundation to grow the space, and we are delighted to support and get to know the best talent here.”
<br>— Meow, Co-founder, Jupiter

> “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Jupiter as we continue to expand the TON DeFi ecosystem. Our past collaboration with similar partners in this field earlier this year motivated us to pursue a similar partnership with Jupiter. We believe this collaboration will bring immense value to TON and help establish a thriving cross-chain future.”
<br>— Vlad Degen, DeFi Lead, TON Foundation

TON Foundation joins forces with Jupiter to incubate new liquidity aggregator on TVM

The Open League New Year edition has come to a close! We hope this unique season has brought you joy, excitement, and fresh insights. As a token of appreciation for your active participation and stellar performances, New Year gifts await teams and users.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements of Season 7, which unfolded over 20 action-packed days.

## Airdrop campaign results

Over the 20-day campaign, participants could explore 24 DeFi protocols and earn from a $1.5M reward pool. The results are in, and they’re nothing short of impressive:

- **499,000 participation badges minted** (x2 compared to last season!)
- **5,962 wallets qualified for the airdrop** (minimum points required: 45)
- The average airdrop reward: **$251**
- Min reward distributed: **$10**
- **Max reward distributed: $1000**

It’s a true Christmas time - as must be the case, the Open League Santa delivered the Christmas gifts to all eligible wallets yesterday morning. Congratulations to all recipients!

## DeFi League results

The competition in the DeFi League was fierce. Two squads (TVL and Volume) comprised 23 participants competing for a prize pool of $100,000 in marketing credits, audit coverage and airdrop for their users.

Here’s what they achieved: $11.3M in new TVL attracted (163% growth compared to last season!) and $161M in Volume generated (156% growth) in 20 days only.

**Winners of the TVL squad:** [Aqua protocol](https://app.aquaprotocol.xyz/mint), [Delea](https://delea.finance/), [Coffin](https://t.me/MemeCoffin_Bot), [TONCO](https://app.tonco.io/#/pools), [swap.coffee](https://swap.coffee/stake) (token staking).

 ![TVL squad.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/TVL_squad_d527f6331f/TVL_squad_d527f6331f.png) 

**Winners of the Volume squad:** [swap.coffee](https://swap.coffee/stake), [Rainbow.ag](http://rainbow.ag/), [Blum](https://t.me/BlumCryptoBot?startapp), [Moki](https://t.me/MokiSwapBot?startapp=ny), [BigPump by PocketFi.](https://t.me/pocketfi_bot/BigPump?startapp)

 ![Volume squad.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Volume_squad_5f5de81dc2/Volume_squad_5f5de81dc2.png) 

Each squad received Adsgram credits as prizes from the $100K prize pool.

- 1st place: $15K
- 2nd place: $13K
- 3rd place: $10K
- 4th place: $7K
- 5th place: $5K

In addition, we remember that teams that cross a $5M TVL threshold or a $50M volume threshold are eligible for smart contract audit coverage. We thus congratulate [](http://swap.coffee/)swap.coffee on achieving this impressive milestone—$125M in Volume in only 20 days of the competition!

Each [participating team](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects) deserves praise for such great achievements, and the winning projects will hear from The Open League team to arrange the prizes very soon!

We also hope you enjoyed [The Open League Advent Calendar](https://t.me/league/165) we created this season. Each day, we featured amazing teams participating in the fair fights for best performance and prizes.

## The Open League partners

This Season was unforgettable, thanks to our [official partners](https://ton.tg/en/open-league?filterBy=officialPartners) who helped spread the word about the program, attracted new users, provided prizes and incentives, and created quests that kept everyone hooked.

In this New Year Season, 16 partners joined us, including recent additions like TON Space, TON Keeper, Bybit Wallet, DappRadar, and Cryptorank. Notably, Adsgram contributed a $50K credit pool for the winners! Together, these partners generated over 875,000 leads for the airdrop campaign’s page!

A huge thank you to our partners for making this happen.

The Open League New Year Season review

Data enthusiasts, here’s a treat for you: TON is now live on [Dune](https://dune.com/home). The integration offers opportunities in on-chain analytics, allowing developers and blockchain analysts to dig deep into TON’s ecosystem easily.

So, what can you uncover with Dune’s powerful tools?

## Take a deeper dive into TON’s on-chain activity

Dune lets you explore TON through its transaction data. You can monitor wallet activity, track transaction trends, and even analyze cross-chain asset movements.

Data drives decisions. For developers, this means understanding what’s working and what isn’t. Analysts can identify patterns that tell a bigger story about TON’s adoption. For investors, transparency in activity can provide confidence. Whether you're tracking ecosystem growth or spotting cross-chain trends, Dune makes it possible to see the bigger picture.

Users will now access:

- Comprehensive analysis of transaction patterns.
- Detailed insights into wallet activity.
- Metrics on ecosystem growth across decentralized applications, DeFi, and NFTs.
- Monitoring of cross-chain activity and asset movements.

The Dune integration marks a milestone for TON. Access to on-chain analytics empowers TON’s community to understand the ecosystem’s evolution and make data-driven decisions for building and innovating.

Ready to explore? 

Head over to [Dune](https://dune.com/blog/ton-blockchain-is-now-live-on-dune) and start analyzing TON today. Who knows what insights you’ll uncover?

TON Blockchain data now accessible on Dune

[The Open Network Foundation](https://ton.foundation/), a non-profit organization accelerating the growth of the TON blockchain, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with [GMX](https://gmx.io/#/), a leading decentralized perpetual exchange and spot trading platform. This collaboration aims to push the boundaries of decentralized finance (DeFi) by driving innovation in high-frequency trading and transaction fee optimization within the TON ecosystem.

## **Unlocking new trading opportunities on TON**

Through this collaboration, TON Foundation seeks to leverage GMX’s expertise in efficient, low-slippage trading and competitive fee structures to strengthen TON Blockchain’s trading infrastructure. As part of this initiative, TON Foundation and GMX are launching a developer competition, inviting participants to design groundbreaking perpetual decentralized exchanges (DEXs) with two primary goals:

- High-frequency trading that will maximize efficiency and performance
- Optimized trading fees to create a seamless user experience with lower costs

The competition is open to all current and in-development projects within the TON ecosystem. Participants will have the chance to compete for:

- Advisory support from GMX to refine and enhance their projects
- Backing from TON Foundation

Developers, founders, and users can submit their applications [via this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQ7QYTd69WfBW-UcG7mwGNJZt6PABgo26L2CobL4ulKHENWA/viewform?usp=sf_link) within the next two weeks. The competition itself will span two months, providing participants ample time to deliver impactful solutions.

> “GMX is dedicated to creating an accessible, high-performance decentralized finance ecosystem. Today, the GMX DEX is trusted by thousands of traders every day, facilitates billions in weekly trading volume, and serves as a key pillar of the DeFi infrastructure on Arbitrum and Avalanche. We're excited to bring this expertise to TON Blockchain by partnering with TON Foundation to launch this developer competition. And we look forward to the innovative design solutions that the participating builders will create.”
<br>— Jone Zee, Communications Coordinator, GMX

> “We’re thrilled to collaborate with GMX as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in DeFi. This competition is an opportunity for developers to showcase their creativity and technical expertise. Inspired by the success of our earlier collaboration with Curve, we believe this initiative will unlock groundbreaking innovations on TON.”
<br>— Vlad Degen, DeFi Lead, TON Foundation

TON Foundation collaborates with GMX to drive high-performance DeFi

**Winter 2024 may have been chilly, but Hackers League brought the heat.**

Hackers League turned this season’s frost into a blazing cauldron of creativity, innovation, and fierce competition. With incredible participation, jaw-dropping ideas, and a community that refused to sleep until they cracked the code, this hackathon was one for the books.

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the winners of **Hackers League Winter 2024**. Let’s dive in and meet the masterminds who brought their A-game, defied the odds, and left us all speechless.

## **Key highlights**

- 20 real-life bootcamps, 19 cities, 2,900 attendees
- 1,200+ projects, 5,000 hackers
- 3 months of relentless building and judging
- $3 million+ prize pool
- $2 million+ committed capital

## **Hackers League Winter 2024 winners**

Out of 1,200+ projects, [157 made it to the semis](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-semi-finalists-revealed), and only [47 faced the final spotlight](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-hackathon-winter-2024-finalists). Here are the legends who crushed the competition and earned their place in Hackers League Winter 2024 history.

| **Track** | **🥇First** | **🥈Second** | **🥉Third** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DeFi | Orbiton | Beetroot Finance | Juster |
| Social | Olivia Network AI | Referendum | The PHOTON |
| Interoperability | Pluton Finance | ReBank | JAMTON |
| Gaming | BeWhale | Pixiland: Age of Heroes | Anycraft |
| Analytics | t-TON: The Trustworthy and Open Network | TONScore | OnChains AI |

**Additional winners, DeFi track:** TheOpenLayer (4th), TerminalX (5th), DeFi Canvas (6th), PhaseSwap (7th)

## **Special category: title sponsors’ winners**

| **Track** | **🥇First** | **🥈Second** | **🥉Third** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gate Ventures | Televerse | Biosphere3 | Husky AI |
| TON API | tondexer | MemeGuard | FractioNFT |
| DeDust | syde.fi | PhaseSwap | Orbiton |

**Additional winners, TON API track:** DTrade (4th), Shops Builder (5th)

Once again, AEON’s GameOn hackathon winners will be assessed and announced independently during the GameOn hackathon. For the latest updates, follow AEON’s official pages: [Website](https://aeon.xyz/gameon), [X](https://x.com/AEON_Community), [Telegram](https://t.me/GameOn_TON_Hackathon), [DoraHacks](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/game-on-ton-hackathon/buidl).

To learn more about the incredible projects by our winners and finalists, read our [finalists blog here](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-hackathon-winter-2024-finalists).

**Disclaimer:** Please note that the list of title sponsors’ winners was determined independently by the sponsors. The selection criteria for these winners may vary, reflecting the sponsors’ market beliefs, priorities, and goals. Hackers League and TON had no influence over their decisions.

## **Special shoutout to our hubs**

 ![tg_image_964820839.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/tg_image_964820839_815c349940/tg_image_964820839_815c349940.png) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Brilliant minds from all over the world
</div><br>

A special congratulations to our global network of hubs, which not only supported our local communities but also nurtured some of our top winners.

**Winning hubs:**

- **Amsterdam:** DTrade
- **Astana:** Beetroot Finance
- **Bangkok:** JAMTON
- **Belgrade:** The PHOTON
- **Berlin:** syde.fi, PhaseSwap
- **Hong Kong:** Televerse, t-TON: The Trustworthy and Open Network, Biosphere3
- **Ho Chi Minh:** Orbiton, OnChains AI
- **Istanbul:** TheOpenLayer, DeFi Canvas
- **Kyiv:** Referendum, TerminalX
- **London:** Olivia Network AI, Shops Builder
- **Tbilisi:** Juster
- **Warsaw:** ReBank, Husky AI

Interested in connecting with your local community or need support? [Join your hub's Telegram community here.](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/local-hubs-support-and-activities)

## **A winter to remember**

As we reflect on the amazing journey of Hackers League Winter 2024, here’s a glimpse into some unforgettable moments throughout the season.

From Bangalore to Berlin, participants came together, bouncing off ideas and forming new friendships.

 ![Hackers League Bangalore Bootcamp.JPG](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Bangalore_Bootcamp_32eca96977/Hackers_League_Bangalore_Bootcamp_32eca96977.jpg)
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Hackers League Bangalore Bootcamp
</div><br>

 ![Hackers League Belgrade Bootcamp.JPG](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Belgrade_Bootcamp_89b4b88fa6/Hackers_League_Belgrade_Bootcamp_89b4b88fa6.jpg) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Hackers League Belgrade Bootcamp
</div><br>

 ![Hackers League Berlin Bootcamp.JPG](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Berlin_Bootcamp_2ba32bbec1/Hackers_League_Berlin_Bootcamp_2ba32bbec1.jpg) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Hackers League Berlin Bootcamp
</div><br>

But it wasn’t all just code and caffeine—there was plenty of fun mixed in too.

 ![Hackers League Amsterdam Bootcamp.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Amsterdam_Bootcamp_8c3c47f07a/Hackers_League_Amsterdam_Bootcamp_8c3c47f07a.jpg) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Hackers League Amsterdam Bootcamp
</div><br>

 ![Hackers League Gurugram Bootcamp.JPG](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Gurugram_Bootcamp_aefab88e29/Hackers_League_Gurugram_Bootcamp_aefab88e29.jpg) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Hackers League Gurugram Bootcamp: Afterparty
</div><br>

After the bootcamps, it was go-time. Participants jumped into the Hackers League hackathon—days of non-stop coding, intense reviews, and last-minute tweaks—building up to the finalists’ live pitching.

 ![TheOpenLayer in action during the finalists’ live pitching.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/The_Open_Layer_in_action_during_the_finalists_live_pitching_56cb7edc93/The_Open_Layer_in_action_during_the_finalists_live_pitching_56cb7edc93.png) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  TheOpenLayer in action during the finalists’ live pitching
</div><br>

 ![Tonalytics at the finalists’ live pitching, judged by title sponsor TON API.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Tonalytics_at_the_finalists_live_pitching_judged_by_title_sponsor_TON_API_8f4951c114/Tonalytics_at_the_finalists_live_pitching_judged_by_title_sponsor_TON_API_8f4951c114.png) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Tonalytics at the finalists’ live pitching, judged by title sponsor TON API
</div><br>

Finally, it was time to announce the winners—a moment filled with nerves, excitement, and anticipation.

 ![Hackers League Winter 2024 Winners.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Hackers_League_Winter_2024_Winners_d6246c25fc/Hackers_League_Winter_2024_Winners_d6246c25fc.png) 
<div style="text-align: center; color: #666666;">
  Celebrating the Hackers League Winter 2024 winners
</div><br>

Missed the live show? Don’t worry—you can catch all the action in our [YouTube playlist here](https://www.youtube.com/@the_open_network/streams).

## **Hackers League Summer 2025 awaits**

Feeling inspired? Get ready, because Hackers League Summer 2025 is coming. Sharpen your skills, gather your squad, and start brainstorming. The next challenge is around the corner, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll create.

## **The real MVPs**

To every participant, judge, mentor, and sponsor: you made this happen. Hackers League isn’t just about winning—it’s about a community moving tech forward, one line of code at a time.

The ideas and passion you brought to Hackers League Winter 2024 have left a mark on the ecosystem. Keep building, keep innovating, and keep pushing—we see you, and so does the world.

**Now, who’s ready to set the summer on fire?**

Follow us on our official channels for all the latest updates and everything Hackers League:

**TON Society:** [Website](https://society.ton.org/activities/active) | [Telegram (Announcements)](https://t.me/tonsociety) | [Telegram (Chat)](https://t.me/tonsociety_chat) | [X](https://twitter.com/ton_society)

**Hackers League:** [Telegram](https://t.me/hackatonx)

**TON Ecosystem:** [Website](https://eco.ton.org/en)

Hackers League Hackathon, Winter 2024: meet the winners 

Crypto traders, analysts, and enthusiasts—this is your moment. Swap pairs from leading TON decentralized exchanges (DEXs), STON.fi and DeDust, just landed on TradingView. This isn’t just another data feed—it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to tap into the TON ecosystem.

If spotting trends, hunting opportunities, and refining trading strategies are what you’re after, the tools you need are now at your fingertips.

## **Why this matters**

[TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network) is growing, and so are the opportunities.

With the addition of STON.fi and DeDust’s data, **over 90 million traders on TradingView** can now seamlessly explore key data from TON’s [decentralized finance (DeFi)](https://blog.ton.org/scalable-defi-in-ton) ecosystem. Here’s what it means:

- **TON’s DeFi ecosystem goes global.** Traders worldwide can now explore TON’s key DEX markets with ease.
- **Real-time insights, sharper strategies.** Track swap pairs as they move and seize opportunities as they happen.
- **See TON’s growth in action.** Gain clear visibility into liquidity, trends, and market activity.
- **Smarter decisions, better trades.** TON-based assets just became more transparent and accessible for every analyst and trader out there.

## **STON.fi and DeDust: powering TON’s DeFi growth**

### **What is STON.fi?**

STON.fi is a decentralized automated market maker (AMM) built on TON Blockchain. Using liquidity pools and advanced algorithms, it delivers efficient and transparent token trading.

### **What is DeDust?**

[DeDust](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-sponsor-series-dedust), running on its innovative DeDust Protocol 2.0, prioritizes scalability, gas efficiency, and a silky-smooth user experience.

Together, these two DEX powerhouses are driving TON’s DeFi ecosystem to new heights, fueling its rise as one of the most vibrant blockchain networks in the game.

> “This integration reflects TON Foundation’s commitment to empowering users with innovative tools and seamless access to key market data. By bringing STON.fi and DeDust to TradingView, we’re enabling traders to unlock the full potential of the TON ecosystem and make data-driven decisions in decentralized finance.”
<br>— Omur Cataltepe, Global BD Lead, TON Foundation

> “We’re excited about this global cooperation with TON Foundation, which brings STON.fi and DeDust data to TradingView’s 90 million users. The integration provides real-time access to key swap pair data, enabling technical and fundamental analysis for TON-based assets. This marks the start of our collaboration—stay tuned for what’s ahead.”
<br>— [Maksim Shymanovich](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mshymanovich), Senior Manager, TradingView

## **How to access STON.fi and DeDust data on TradingView**

1. Go to [TradingView](https://www.tradingview.com/data-coverage/) and click the **Search** bar.
2. Type **“STONFI:”** or **“DEDUST:”** to view their swap pairs.
3. Hover over your chosen swap pair.
4. Click **Launch chart** to view the trading chart.
5. Click **See overview** for key information and news about the trading pair.

<TradingViewWidget></TradingViewWidget>

---

## **Chart your next move**

Don’t just watch the market. Take control. With over **2 million instruments** from hundreds of data feeds, TradingView remains the go-to platform for everything from global equities to emerging DeFi opportunities—making tracking [Bitcoin prices](https://www.tradingview.com/symbols/BTCUSD/) as easy as analyzing companies' financials.

Now, with TON-based data from STON.fi and DeDust, crypto traders can explore decentralized markets with the same precision and tools used for traditional assets.

This isn’t just another update—it’s part of a bigger, long-term movement on TON. **Are you ready?**

STON.fi and DeDust data now live on TradingView

[TON Foundation](https://www.ton.foundation/) and [EVAA Protocol](https://evaa.finance/) are teaming up to launch an exciting incentive program for decentralized finance (DeFi) users. Combining the strengths of TON Blockchain and EVAA’s lending platform, the program is designed to expand opportunities in DeFi, enhancing user engagement and driving the growth of DeFi on TON.

To kick off the program, **100,000 TON** has been set aside as rewards for users.

> "As the first DeFi protocol on TON, apart from DEXs, to receive these liquidity incentives, we are proud to lead the charge in showcasing how such support can accelerate the adoption of DeFi within the Telegram community.”
<br>— Vlad, CEO of EVAA

**Want to know how to start earning TON rewards? Let’s take a look below.**

## **A two-step incentive program**

The program unfolds in two phases:

1. **Borrow rewards:** Participants can borrow USDT from EVAA’s main pool and earn rewards based on activity levels. EVAA’s latest initiative offers **subsidized USDT loans** against TON, tsTON, and stTON.
2. **Supply rewards:** Once borrowing incentives gain traction, the focus may shift to supply rewards. Users who provide liquidity to EVAA’s pools will receive more rewards for their contributions.

This phased approach ensures a balanced and sustainable structure that benefits all participants while fostering ecosystem growth.

## **What is EVAA Protocol?**

EVAA Protocol is a decentralized lending platform built on TON Blockchain. It offers advanced features like lending and borrowing, leveraged liquidity provision, hedged liquidity provision. These features are supported by locked liquidity across top TON platforms like Tonstakers, Storm Trade, DeDust, StonFi, and Bemo, creating a strong and interconnected ecosystem.

Additionally, EVAA’s achievements include a successful QuantStamp audit, multiple wins in [The Open League](https://ton.org/open-league), and active contributions to developer education through lectures and boot camps. The protocol’s initiatives, such as the TON DeFi Academy, continue to empower the next generation of blockchain enthusiasts and builders.

> “This New Year initiative will pave the way for shaping a comprehensive and impactful 2025 incentive program. Stay tuned!"
<br>— [@Vlad Degen](https://x.com/VladDegen), TON DeFi Lead

## **Why join the incentive program?**

Here are a few reasons why you should get involved:

- A share of 100,000 TON in rewards up for grabs
- Earn rewards while exploring EVAA’s lending and borrowing features
- Experiment with new DeFi strategies with confidence
- Be part of a growing DeFi ecosystem built on transparency and collaboration

## **How to get involved?**

Ready to dive in? Here’s how to start earning rewards:

### **Lending on EVAA**

When you supply tokens to the EVAA Protocol, they enter the EVAA liquidity pool. Interest rates accumulate automatically based on the borrow utilization rate.

1. Connect your crypto wallet to [EVAA Protocol](https://app.evaa.finance/) by clicking **Connect Wallet**.

 ![EVAA Lending_1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Lending_1_6d3c96f04e/EVAA_Lending_1_6d3c96f04e.png) 

2. Click **+**.

 ![EVAA Lending_2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Lending_2_87f114eaac/EVAA_Lending_2_87f114eaac.png) 

3. Choose the asset you wish to supply, such as TON.

 ![EVAA Lending_3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Lending_3_447a32340d/EVAA_Lending_3_447a32340d.png) 

4. Select the amount of TON you want to supply and click **Supply** to confirm the transaction. Your supplied TON will start earning interest based on the Supply APY.

### **Borrowing on EVAA**

Borrowing on EVAA Protocol lets you access liquidity using your supplied collateral. To avoid liquidation, make sure you maintain enough collateral to cover your loans. Interest rates for borrowed tokens are dynamic and based on the utilization rate.

1. Connect your crypto wallet to [EVAA Protocol](https://app.evaa.finance/) by clicking **Connect Wallet**.

 ![EVAA Borrowing_1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Borrowing_1_3257800b84/EVAA_Borrowing_1_3257800b84.png) 

2. Click **Borrow**. For borrowing any amount you need to lend the collateral first. Check the first guide.

 ![EVAA Borrowing_2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Borrowing_2_0fa3ed0f81/EVAA_Borrowing_2_0fa3ed0f81.png) 

3. Choose **USDT** from the list of available assets.

 ![EVAA Borrowing_3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/EVAA_Borrowing_3_a4544586f2/EVAA_Borrowing_3_a4544586f2.png) 

4. Select the amount of USDT you want to borrow and click **Borrow** to confirm the transaction. Your borrowed USDT will be transferred to your wallet.

## **Be part of the DeFi movement on TON**

The collaboration between TON Foundation and EVAA Protocol introduces new possibilities for DeFi on TON. Whether you’re borrowing USDT with subsidised loan initiatives or supplying liquidity to earn interest, this program offers options for users at all levels.

Now’s the time to take the next step in DeFi, experiment, and grow alongside the TON and EVAA communities.

The program launches this week—stay tuned for the official announcement on EVAA Protocol’s official pages:

[Website](https://evaa.finance/) | [X](https://twitter.com/evaaprotocol) | [Telegram](https://t.me/evaaprotocol)

TON Foundation and EVAA Protocol introduce new DeFi incentive program

Hackers League Hackathon, Winter 2024: finalists announced

[Storm Trade](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-storm-trade), a decentralized trading platform built on TON Blockchain, is unveiling a **100,000 TON** incentive program in collaboration with TON Foundation. The program welcomes users of all levels—whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned trader, there are rewards for everyone.

> "Mass adoption of Web3 is not about technology; it’s about user experience. An incentive program should not only help users enter a new environment, but also allow them to experience all its advantages. We ensure that every new step delivers real value, not just one-time rewards. Bonuses don’t replace the product; they enhance it."
<br>— Denis, CEO of Storm Trade

**So, what’s the program all about and how can you start earning rewards? Let’s find out!**

## **Rewards for every trade**

Storm Trade’s incentive program offers rewards for various user activities, ensuring everyone has a chance to participate and benefit. It’s designed to make trading approachable while offering meaningful rewards for active engagement. Here’s how you can earn:

- **First-time traders:** New users who execute their first trade on Storm Trade will receive TON tokens as a reward. Users can earn bonus points by completing tutorials or quizzes, which you can exchange for STORM tokens.
- **Power users:** If you’re a high-volume trader, this one’s for you. Storm Trade provides fee rebates based on trading volume, with more significant rewards for larger trades or long-term positions. Additionally, weekly and monthly leaderboard competitions offer prizes such as tokens or exclusive perks like VIP support.
- **Referral rewards:** Love introducing others to great platforms? Storm Trade’s referral program gives you a percentage of the fees generated by your referees. Hit certain referral milestones and unlock extra rewards like NFTs or boosted referral percentages.

## **What is Storm Trade?**

Storm Trade is a decentralized trading platform built on TON, offering fast transactions and low fees. Its user-focused design ensures that even beginners can easily participate. By leveraging TON Blockchain, Storm Trade provides a seamless connection to a broader ecosystem.

Participating in this program gives you a head start in decentralized trading. Whether you’re exploring the platform for the first time or aiming to make the most of your trading skills, the rewards are tailored to encourage learning and active participation. Plus, with referrals, you can bring others along on your journey and grow together.

> “This New Year initiative will pave the way for shaping a comprehensive and impactful 2025 incentive program. Stay tuned!"
<br>— [@Vlad Degen](https://x.com/VladDegen), TON DeFi Lead

## **How to start trading and earning on Storm Trade?**

You can trade on Storm Trade using two options: directly on Telegram or via the web app. Here’s how:

### **Trading in Telegram**

1. Visit [Storm Trade](https://storm.tg/) and click **Trade in Telegram**.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_1_e4b8306c5e/Storm_Trade_Telegram_1_e4b8306c5e.png) 

2. Click **Start**.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_2_21eb8c55af/Storm_Trade_Telegram_2_21eb8c55af.png) 

3. Choose **Trade**.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_3_5ad24e6d3c/Storm_Trade_Telegram_3_5ad24e6d3c.png) 

4. Select your desired trading asset.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_4.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_4_41785078b3/Storm_Trade_Telegram_4_41785078b3.png) 

5. Connect your wallet.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_5.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_5_c0f961763f/Storm_Trade_Telegram_5_c0f961763f.png) 

6. Start trading on Storm Trade. Adjust your trading parameters, such as leverage and stop loss, to optimize your trading strategy. Take into account the liquidation risks while you trade with leverage.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_6.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_6_f9f16a57e5/Storm_Trade_Telegram_6_f9f16a57e5.png) 

### **Trading on the web app**

1. Visit [Storm Trade](https://storm.tg/) and click **Trade in Web App**.

 ![Storm Trade_Telegram_1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Telegram_1_e4b8306c5e/Storm_Trade_Telegram_1_e4b8306c5e.png) 

2. Click **Connect Wallet** to link your TON wallet

 ![Storm Trade_Web_2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Web_2_c523774ecb/Storm_Trade_Web_2_c523774ecb.png) 

3. Once connected, customize your trading parameters and start trading. Take into account the liquidation risks while you trade with leverage.

 ![Storm Trade_Web_3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Storm_Trade_Web_3_a56c58419e/Storm_Trade_Web_3_a56c58419e.png) 

## **Your next trade starts here**

The Storm Trade and TON Foundation collaboration aims to build a thriving community of traders. This incentive program goes beyond just rewards—it’s about creating value, encouraging participation, and growing the TON ecosystem.

So why wait? Step into the eye of the storm with Storm Trade and start exploring the future of decentralized trading on TON Blockchain.

The program launches next week—stay tuned for the official announcement on Storm Trade’s official pages:

[Website](https://storm.tg/) | [X](https://x.com/storm_trade_ton) | [Telegram](https://t.me/storm_trade_fam)

Introducing Storm Trade’s incentive program with TON Foundation: 100,000 TON rewards available

As the holiday season approaches, TON Memelandia is turning up the heat in the world of memecoins, bringing a sleigh full of excitement and opportunity to the TON and Telegram communities.

Let’s gear up for the final week—the competition’s extension ends on December 15. Where is your favorite TON memecoin ranked on the [leaderboard?](https://ton.org/en/memelandia)

## **Unpacking the latest developments that are adding magic to the memecoin momentum on TON**

**Highlights**:

- Integrations with Dropee, Boinkers, Moki, WONTON, Clayton, and Cosmic Factions make them the initial Knights of Memelandia—who will join them?
- Memecoin Mountain welcomes Dark, TVM, SuperWonton, and Bald to the Minor League, adding a combination of hidden utilities and onboarding tactics. The Major League sees two new memecoins racing and popping their way to the finish line: Lambo and PUMPCORN.

### **Knights of Memelandia: forging the future with memecoins**

Including leveraging Telegram's massive ecosystem, TON Memelandia is creating a playground for memecoins to transform passive trading into an active, engaging experience that connects creators, traders, and communities. The Knights of Memelandia represent the architects of this initiative, designed to unify the creativity of Telegram Mini Apps with the energy and utility of TON Memecoins. Yes, you read correctly—utility.

- With Moki, the swap aggregator for TON, trading memecoins is now easier and often with competitive rates. Moki has implemented tasks with Reward Points for the community on their mini app.
- CosmicFactions aims to empower individuals to become Game Developers by providing no-code tools and support for crafting high-quality 2D, 3D, and VR games.
- Dropee, a Telegram rewards app, connects memecoins with millions of users for increased engagement. From daily challenges to exclusive rewards, Dropee is a highlight for TON memecoins and the Telegram ecosystem.
- Boinkers by ACID Games has proven to be a hit in the Telegram gaming world. With a vibrant community and millions of daily active users, Boinkers brings TON memecoins to life with fun and some moonshot dreams.
- WONTON is introducing a new twist on tap-to-earn with a sustainable on-chain ownership strategy. Complete tasks, play games and refer friends to earn WONTON Skins, each holding real TON value. The mini app allows you to choose your path: sell for instant rewards or hold for future NFT minting events.


## **New Major and Minor League contenders**

### **Dark: the key to kingdoms**

Dark isn't just a memecoin. It's a passport to hidden digital realms. Imagine accessing exclusive Telegram channels with premium content, private expert chats, and closed communities—unlocked by your Dark tokens.

### **SuperWonton: a tale of community and creativity**

Born from a gaming adventure and inspired by animated spirit, SuperWonton (SW) celebrates imagination, community, and magic when creativity meets blockchain.

### **TVM: a torchbearer of innovation**

TVM represents the forward-thinking spirit of our ecosystem—always pushing boundaries and innovating. The concept behind TVM is to onboard newcomers to understand TON's technology and retain them.

### **Lambo: racing up the leaderboard**

The hamster in a whale’s costume is carving its own path. Unveiled through Memelandia’s Cabal Arena results, Lambo has catapulted out of the Arena onto Memecoin Mountain.

This is just the beginning. More exciting meme projects in PUMPCORN, Bald, and YupLand will be listed soon, with many more to follow.

## **Numbers at a glance**

**Major League highlights:**

- **Total market cap**: $537 million+
- **Total volume**: $71.15 million+
- **Participants**: 14 tokens

**Top performers:**

1. **Volume**: REDO ($671,900)
2. **Market cap leader**: Dogs ($362.2 million)
3. **Most buyers**: TryTON (2,720 users, 36% retention)

**Minor League momentum:**

- **Total market cap**: $16.26 million
- **Total volume**: $23.21 million
- **Participants**: 16 tokens

**Breakouts:**

1. **Volume leader**: Dark ($60,970)
2. **Market cap standout**: Utya ($1.80 million)
3. **Social buzz:** Duck (241.67 social score)

**Note:** Please note that these metrics are subject to fluctuations and may vary depending on when they are viewed.

There is a growing vibrancy and potential for memecoins in the TON ecosystem. Teams are not just creating memecoins; there’s a cultural phenomenon unfolding, where creativity, technology, and community are colliding.

As highlighted in [last month’s blog](https://blog.ton.org/memecoin-mountain-just-got-bigger), Memecoin Mountain was set to get bigger, and we now have the numbers to prove it. The previous total market cap of $432.5 million has since surged over $100 million to $537 million, representing a 23% growth. Trading volumes have exploded too, with over $19 million in volume added, increasing from around $60 million to $79.2 million.

Memecoin Mountain’s landscape has also expanded from 12 to 16 tokens in the Minor League and 12 to 14 in the Major League. This signals a growing interest in memecoins on TON.

[Join the momentum today](https://ton.org/en/memelandia).

## **Our commitment to the competition's integrity**

As we approach the December 15 finale, we want to be crystal clear about our winner selection process. The TON Memelandia team will comprehensively review both on-chain and off-chain data. We’re committed to ensuring a fair, transparent competition—rooting out any potential malicious activity and celebrating genuine community achievement. The final winners will be revealed shortly after December 15, following the verification process.

## **Claim LP rewards from locked liquidity**

We also have some additional news to share with the community.

For memecoin projects, locking liquidity is often a key step in building trust within the community. However, this approach has historically come with a tradeoff: it cuts off an important source of income—LP rewards—creating a conflicting motivation for founders. Without access to these rewards, the only way to generate revenue is by selling your own tokens, which increases sell pressure and raises concerns among your supporters.

DeDust, a leading decentralized automated market maker (AMM) on TON has addressed this issue.

With their new locker contract, founders can now claim LP rewards credited to permanently locked LP tokens. Thanks to DeDust’s partners at GasPump, this update is live, and all new tokens successfully deployed on DeDust will include claimable rewards on locked liquidity. This breakthrough offers long-term incentives for memecoin founders, aligning financial rewards with sustainable project growth.

Stay tuned for further updates, including the final TON Memelandia AMA for Season 1. Join the conversation on [Telegram](https://t.me/ton_memelandia).

*DISCLAIMER: Trading memecoins is highly speculative and involves significant risk. The value of memecoins can fluctuate wildly and may be subject to sudden and unpredictable price swings. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please do your own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions.*

New horizons and hidden realms for Memelanders: news from TON Memelandia

Big news for TON: OKX Ventures has committed **$5 million** to [TON Ventures](https://tonventures.io/), our investment arm dedicated to supporting innovative TON projects. This follows OKX’s recent launch of a **$10 million Telegram Growth Hub**, in partnership with [The Open Platform (TOP)](https://top.co/) and Folius Ventures, designed to further accelerate growth within the TON ecosystem.

If you’re a developer looking to build the next big thing in the decentralized space, this is your chance.

## **Why this investment matters**

OKX’s commitment to TON is more than just a financial boost. It’s a vote of confidence in the TON ecosystem and what we’re building. With **950 million active Telegram users**, TON offers developers something no other platform can: the chance to create and scale decentralized applications (dApps) on a platform where the audience is already engaged and curious.

But it’s not just about the massive numbers—it’s the tools that make building here so seamless. [Telegram Mini Apps](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps) strip away the usual barriers to blockchain adoption. No need for extra downloads or convincing users to join your ecosystem. Your dApp is integrated into one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, instantly reaching millions.

With OKX’s support, the TON ecosystem is only going to get bigger, faster, and more connected.

## **Successful Telegram Mini Apps powered by TON**

Don’t just take our word for it. TON is already home to several fantastic projects that have benefited from early-stage support, and with OKX’s backing, even more are set to thrive. Here are a few examples of what’s been achieved so far:

- [**Catizen**](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-catizen-2): One of the most popular play-to-earn games on Telegram, where players manage a virtual cat city.
- [**Gamee**](https://blog.ton.org/future-giants-gamee): A mobile gaming ecosystem on Telegram, with over 100 million registered users.
- **STON.fi:** An automated market maker (AMM) decentralized exchange (DEX) built on TON Blockchain, available on Telegram.

## **Why developers should build on TON?**

Here’s why TON is the place to start building your dApp:

- **Access to a massive audience:** With 950 million active Telegram users, your dApp has the potential to scale immediately.
- **Funding and support:** We’re here to help you get your project off the ground. Beyond funding, we offer a [12-week incubation program](https://tonventures.io/) that gives you hands-on, 1:1 support from our team of experts—from technical assistance to strategic advice.
- **Technical resources:** From [documentation](https://docs.ton.org/) to [APIs and SDKs](https://ton.org/en/dev), we provide you with everything you need to build faster and smarter.
- **Built for decentralization:** TON is built to be decentralized. Whether it’s decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, or social apps, TON Blockchain is scalable and built with the future in mind.

## **How to get started**

Ready to take the next step?

1. **Already have a project?** Submit your project to [TON Ventures](https://tonventures.io/) and get the support you need to scale.
2. **Working on an idea?** Check out [TON Nest](https://blog.ton.org/empowering-builders-with-ton-nest), where early-stage projects get the resources and guidance to take off.
3. **Connect with the community.** Join our [developer Telegram chats](https://t.me/addlist/1r5Vcb8eljk5Yzcy) to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate.
4. **Start building.** Dive into our technical documentation and start bringing your vision to life on TON.

## **Looking ahead: mini apps, major impact**

OKX’s investment signals the growing momentum behind TON and its expanding ecosystem. For developers, this means more resources, support, and opportunities. For users, it’s the promise of a future filled with dApps that are as easy to use as your favorite messaging app.

This is just the beginning—if you’re a developer looking to get in early and make a real impact in the blockchain space, TON is the place to build.

[Submit your project](https://tonventures.io/) to TON Ventures today.

OKX Ventures invests $5m in TON Ventures: powering the next wave of dApp innovation

We’re halfway through the New Year season, and it’s been an exciting ride so far! With 11 days of active campaigning remaining, let’s explore what we’ve accomplished together.

## **Mid-season highlights**

- **328,000 participation badges minted** – Thank you to all our participants for joining the fun!
- **$4.7M in new TVL and $75.9M in Volume generated** since the season started – let’s keep this momentum going!
- **Volume Squad leaders:**
    - [Swap.coffee](https://swap.coffee/dex)
    - [Rainbow.ag](https://t.me/rainbow_swap_bot?startapp=ny)
    - [BigPump by Pocketfi](https://t.me/pocketfi_bot/BigPump)
- **TVL Squad front-runners:**
    - [Aqua](https://app.aquaprotocol.xyz/mint)
    - [JVault](https://jvault.xyz/staking/v2/stake)
    - [TONCO](https://app.tonco.io/#/pools)

See where other projects stand by visiting the [Open League leaderboard](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects).

## **The Open League Advent Calendar**

This week, we introduced the TOL Advent Calendar!

Each day, the calendar showcases participating teams, new opportunities, and advice for boosting your airdrop score. So far, we’ve highlighted numerous creative projects, including:

- [TONCO](https://t.me/tonco_io)[](https://moki.ag/)
- [Moki](https://t.me/MokiSwapBot?startapp=ny)
- [SettleTON](https://t.me/settleton_bot?startapp=ny)
- [Farmix](https://app.farmix.tg/lending)
- [Titan](https://t.me/TitanTradeBot?startapp=ny)
- [Rainbow.ag](https://t.me/rainbow_swap_bot?startapp=ny)
- [Aqua](https://t.me/aquaprotocolxyzchannelen)
- [Crouton](https://t.me/croutonfibot/crouton?startapp=ny)
- [DAOLama](https://app.daolama.co/yield)
- [Delea Finance](https://delea.finance/)
- [Parraton](http://t.me/parraton_bot?startapp=ny)

Stay tuned for even more projects!

### **Important reminders for airdrop participants**

The New Year season wraps up on **December 17**, so don’t miss your chance to participate!

- The **last day to mint participation badges** is **December 12, 11:00 AM UTC.**
- **Mint it now by visiting the [Open League Airdrop page](http://society.ton.org/the-open-league-new-year-airdrop?utm_source=league).**
- **Don’t forget**: to qualify for the airdrop, you’ll need to swap or provide liquidity for a minimum of **$20**. Also, note that swaps in some selected pools require a higher minimum amount. [Find out more in our channel announcement](https://t.me/league/176).

Let’s make the most of these final days and finish strong!

The Open League New Year Edition: mid-season results 🎉

The Hackers League Hackathon has hit a major milestone—our semi-finalists are ready!

Following a tough competition, our brilliant teams have pushed the boundaries of blockchain gaming to earn their spot in this fierce competition. Now, they prepare for the next stage, where their ideas will be brought to life in the live judging rounds.

If you’ve been following the journey, now’s the perfect time to jump in and cheer for your favorites. For newcomers, get ready for a fantastic display of blockchain gaming's talent and innovation.

Let’s take a look at the complete list of semi-finalists and instructions for the upcoming weeks.

## **Meet our Hackathon semi-finalists competing for the $3.5 million prize pool**

Here’s the complete list of teams that have made it to the semi-finals:

<table>
  <tr>
    <td>1DBGYM</td>
    <td>4Arts</td>
    <td>5D BAZAAR</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>5D BRIDGE</td>
    <td>5D STARQ</td>
    <td>Aerena</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Aigram</td>
    <td>AKEDO Games</td>
    <td>Anycraft</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>apiTON</td>
    <td>AppInCoin</td>
    <td>Aurea</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Bastion Battle</td>
    <td>BeWhale</td>
    <td>Beetroot Finance</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Bidask Protocol</td>
    <td>Biosphere3</td>
    <td>BitPlay</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Bitverse Dollar</td>
    <td>BlinkGameAI</td>
    <td>Bored Dragon</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>BOSS GO</td>
    <td>Bridge23</td>
    <td>Catton</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>CenturionFi</td>
    <td>Ceres Finance</td>
    <td>CoinFish</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>CoinIdols</td>
    <td>CyberCharge</td>
    <td>DeepTrace</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>DeFi Canvas</td>
    <td>DePIN Alliance</td>
    <td>DePinSim</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>DeTask</td>
    <td>Doomsday Tyranny (DDT)</td>
    <td>Dungeons of KITSU</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Durovs Protocol</td>
    <td>DustFi</td>
    <td>Dywe</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Embed Wallet</td>
    <td>Enian Combat</td>
    <td>Esprito protocol</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Eventify</td>
    <td>Fair Fight</td>
    <td>FansLover</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Farmix</td>
    <td>FinKeeper</td>
    <td>Fitton</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Flip Out</td>
    <td>Flowly</td>
    <td>FractionFT</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Game Depot</td>
    <td>GLOBULA</td>
    <td>Go-Defeners</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>GoldenBlock</td>
    <td>Governors Game</td>
    <td>HangarX</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Happy Farmer: Crop and Rob</td>
    <td>Happy Farming</td>
    <td>HeyWave</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Husky AI</td>
    <td>Ikigai HyFi</td>
    <td>Impulse Finance</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Infinity Ground</td>
    <td>JAMTON</td>
    <td>Juster</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>KaBoom</td>
    <td>Krypton</td>
    <td>Leap of Legends</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>LIGMAR</td>
    <td>Lucky Gems (tellerx)</td>
    <td>memeguard</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>MemeTv</td>
    <td>MetaStation</td>
    <td>Meworld</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>MiniTon</td>
    <td>Moki</td>
    <td>MOON Giveaways</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Move</td>
    <td>Multiple Network</td>
    <td>NexaBit</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Nifty Nerds Network</td>
    <td>Nomas Wallet</td>
    <td>NotCampus</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Notiad: Notification and Advertising System</td>
    <td>NutritionTime: Crypto-cooking App in Telegram</td>
    <td>Olivia Network AI</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>OnChains AI</td>
    <td>Orbiton</td>
    <td>OURO</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Outmine</td>
    <td>P00LS Games</td>
    <td>Payxn</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>PeckS</td>
    <td>PhaseSwap</td>
    <td>Pina Mafia</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Pina Mania</td>
    <td>Pixiland: Age of Heroes</td>
    <td>PLAYS Hub</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Pluton Finance</td>
    <td>ReBank</td>
    <td>Referendum</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Reign Alter World</td>
    <td>RiverLand</td>
    <td>RPine</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>RuleOS</td>
    <td>Sanctum AI</td>
    <td>Saprolings Telegram Mini App</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>SatoriPlay</td>
    <td>Scalr</td>
    <td>Settlers of Cydonia</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Shops Builder</td>
    <td>Silly Match</td>
    <td>SnakeLite</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Social Clicker</td>
    <td>Socialrise</td>
    <td>Soulkeep Tower Defense</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Spark</td>
    <td>Spectrum S</td>
    <td>Spica</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>StarAI</td>
    <td>SudoCat</td>
    <td>syde.fi</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>t-TON: the Trustworthy and Open Network</td>
    <td>Telegram Mafia</td>
    <td>Televerse</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TerminalX</td>
    <td>TGpoker</td>
    <td>The Path</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>The PHOTON</td>
    <td>Titan</td>
    <td>Token Tails</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TON Chimp</td>
    <td>TON Merch</td>
    <td>TON Score</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>tondexer</td>
    <td>Tonmons</td>
    <td>TonPrison</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TONQuests</td>
    <td>TonStable Finance</td>
    <td>TonTopia</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TownStory Galaxy</td>
    <td>TractionEye</td>
    <td>TTV: TON TokenVigil Analytics</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>TONIFY</td>
    <td>TheOpenLayer</td>
    <td>U2SEC Web3 Guardian</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Unilink</td>
    <td>Uquid</td>
    <td>USDt Gift Shop by Fizen.io</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>UStars 💫</td>
    <td>Valor Quest</td>
    <td>WEATHER INSURANCE</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>WIzzwoods</td>
    <td>Xpinnetwork</td>
    <td>XSTAR Fleet</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>YuliGO</td>
    <td>Zona</td>
  </tr>
</table>


These teams represent a wealth of talent and creativity, promising to deliver projects that redefine gaming.

*The full list of teams that applied can be viewed below:*

[https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024)

 ![1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/1_c5e0726eb3/1_c5e0726eb3.png) 

**GameON Hackathon**

This list also highlights the semi-finalists of the GameON hackathon. TON Society has partnered with AEON to attract more game developers and showcase the potential and power of TON’s ecosystem. The GameON hackathon is a fantastic opportunity for gaming developers to make their mark and garner support from the biggest names in the industry.

### **A big thanks to the sponsors who made it all possible**

Since launching in October 2024, Hackers League has attracted the brightest minds in Web3 gaming. The Hackers League Hackathon would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, who have played a critical role in nurturing innovation and empowering developers to bring their ideas to life.

 ![2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/2_e3d96bfba5/2_e3d96bfba5.png) 

To all our sponsors, thank you. Your contributions directly result in the creativity of these talented teams.

## **Next steps: the live judging sessions begin**

With the semi-finalists announced, here’s what’s next on the road to crowning the Hackers League champion:

### **Live judging sessions (December 16–17)**

Semi-finalists will pitch their projects during live-streamed judging sessions. Teams will present their concepts and demonstrate their working prototypes. Witness the brilliance of these gaming innovators and a glimpse into the future.

### **Closing ceremony (December 20)**

The hackathon culminates in a live-streamed closing ceremony, during which winners will be announced and the top teams will be celebrated.

## **What to look forward to**

As the hackathon progresses, the excitement continues to build. The semi-finalists highlight the incredible talent and creativity within the TON ecosystem, and we can’t wait to see how their projects evolve.

With only a few days remaining, here’s a checklist for you:

- Watch the live judging sessions from **December 16–17**
- Don’t miss the live-streamed closing ceremony on **December 20**

Get ready to celebrate innovation, creativity, and the limitless possibilities of blockchain gaming.

Hackers League semi-finalists revealed: live judging rounds to begin next

Meet Fitton, a fitness-focused decentralized application (dApp) built on TON.

Fitton is carving out its place in Web3 wellness with its [30-Day Fitness Challenge](https://x.com/fitTON_app/status/1861411231191704015), designed to inspire activity and reward consistency. Aimed at beginners and intermediates, the app addresses common fitness hurdles like low motivation and poor technique, which can lead to injuries. The Fitton team leveraged the simplicity of [creating Telegram Mini Apps](https://blog.ton.org/how-to-create-your-telegram-mini-apps) to make a test launch application accessible beyond the blockchain community.

Early user feedback during the test launch period has been pivotal in refining the app. The team scaled its infrastructure to support high activity loads and remains committed to delivering a reliable and engaging experience. Fitton’s rewards, from tokens to exclusive items, aim to inspire long-term commitment to fitness.

For developers building on TON, Fitton is a great example of how blockchain can drive practical, user-focused solutions.

### **What motivated the Fitton team to create the 30-Day Fitness Challenge, and how does it align with promoting active lifestyles?**

The 30-Day Fitness Challenge celebrates Fitton V1 and offers a glimpse into future events. It encourages participants to compete for leaderboard positions, earn rewards, and stay active throughout the month. Fitton focuses on two common challenges fitness beginners and intermediates face: staying motivated and avoiding injuries caused by improper technique. The app aims to address both these issues by offering a supportive, accessible platform.

### **Can you share details about the app's user experience? Were there any challenges in ensuring a bug-free experience during the launch?**

User feedback has been instrumental in refining the app’s user experience. As Fitton nears its full release, addressing user-reported issues has helped ensure smoother operations. To handle high traffic, the team significantly upgraded the infrastructure, focusing on load management and network stability so users can enjoy a reliable experience.

### **Privacy is a growing concern for app users. Are there plans to incorporate features like background and face blurring to enhance user confidence?**

Privacy is important to us. Media files are stored locally and securely on users’ devices, ensuring the app never accesses private recordings. Future updates will include features like an automated blur toggle and background change, offering users even greater peace of mind.

### **What criteria did you use to select the exercises in the challenge, and are there plans to include new workouts in the future?**

We began with well-known exercises in the initial phase to avoid any resistance. In the future, we'll offer users a wider selection of exercises. We also plan to add multipliers to specific exercises to encourage people to push themselves beyond their comfort zones.

### **Can you explain the real-world value behind the rewards, such as the exclusive bracelet? How do they tie into the challenge's goals?**

We designed our rewards system to encourage users to exercise. We're exploring ways to bring on-chain rewards, such as NFTs, to life in a physical form. Despite their recent negative reputation, NFTs are a good way of connecting on-chain and real-world items.

### **What makes the "super-exclusive rewards" special, and how can top performers receive them?**

Only the most dedicated fitness enthusiasts are likely to receive the super-exclusive rewards. Competition is a powerful motivator, and we want to use it to our advantage. You need to commit to regular daily exercise and encourage others to join you to earn exclusive rewards.

### **How has user feedback influenced Fitton's development, and what are the next steps to improve the app based on early insights?**

User feedback has been critical in identifying and fixing bugs, improving AI-powered exercise recognition, and shaping future updates. We’ve also received feedback on what to add and how our AI model performs in recognizing your exercise techniques.

We are open to feedback and value all your suggestions. Join our [Telegram chat](https://t.me/fitton_crew) to share your ideas.

### **What types of rewards can participants look forward to, and how are they designed to motivate consistent engagement?**

Fitton rewards include tokens, NFTs, airdrops, sportswear, and other real-world items. We have plenty more in store, and we think you'll be impressed with what we're working on!

Fitton’s journey demonstrates the potential of combining innovative technology with meaningful real-world applications. TON’s holistic approach to building a thriving community continues with creative dApps such as Fitton.

As the TON ecosystem expands, we’ll continue to provide better building opportunities for developers. These collaborations strengthen the network and provide developers and projects like Fitton with the tools to innovate.

Got an idea you’d like to build? Check out [our latest collaboration with Mantle](https://blog.ton.org/mantle-and-ton-ecosystem-partnership) and see how you can get the resources you need to make it happen.

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of TON Foundation. This is not investment advice.*

Future Giants: Fitton

**TON Memelandia** was conceived as a cultural hub for memecoins and community tokens. It celebrates the fun spirit that drives Web3. Communities compete in [Memecoin Mountain](https://ton.org/en/memelandia) and [Cabal Arena](https://cabal-arena.fun/) for TON's top memecoin title and airdrop rewards.

TON Foundation believes fair launches and dedicated teams are key to building strong meme coin communities. Projects like these often go unnoticed, so we're making Memecoin Mountain more accessible to give them a better chance.

Welcome newcomers! Let’s catch up on the latest.

### **Extension**

First things first, this week's major news was the extension of [Memecoin Mountain](https://ton.org/en/memelandia) and [Cabal Arena](https://cabal-arena.fun/) until **DECEMBER 15th.** This came to fruition as we believe epic stories take time to unfold, and we're giving every memecoin a wider window to climb to the top. It also provides a second opportunity for traders to participate in the competitions and receive a portion of the reward pool of $1,250,000!

*More on the prize composition below.*

### **Eligibility criteria softened**

We’re making it easier for new and promising memecoins to join the fun! The mandatory CoinGecko listing is no longer required, and the Minor League market cap has been reduced to $100,000 (down from $250,000). The rules for fair token distribution, token holder count, and daily trading volume stay the same to keep the competition fair and transparent.

### **Introducing Wildcard!**

Your memecoin can now join the competition **ANY TIME - no application needed!** (Just make sure you meet the eligibility rules)! Wildcard is a way to support memecoin growth and foster open competition for projects and traders to engage in these fair, exciting battles!

### **Prize composition (community airdrop)**

The prize composition has also been restructured to pure community airdrop as the final prize, and continues to be milestone-based, dependent on the total volume generated from trading of all participating memecoins.

**Why**? Because **airdrops = direct rewards for the community!** The perfect synergy with memes. Degen traders and normies can actively trade and promote TON memecoins to receive an airdrop after the season's end - now December 15th!

### **Knights of Memelandia initiative**

At **TON Memelandia**, we're thrilled to announce the launch of the **Knights of Memelandia**, an initiative designed to unify the power of **Telegram Mini-Apps** with the creativity and energy of **TON Memecoins**.

**The mission:**

- 🤝 **Collaborate** with Telegram Mini-Apps to promote memecoins and grow the TON ecosystem.
- 🌍 **Connect** memecoins with the global Telegram family, showing they’re part of one big, innovative community.
- 🚀 **Increase users**: Drive new users to TON memecoins through interactive and engaging UX.
- 📈 **Boost engagement**: Amplify on-chain and off-chain activities for memecoins, creating vibrant communities.
- 👀 **Enhance visibility**: Elevate awareness of Memelandia initiatives like **Meme Mountain** and **Cabal Arena**.
- 📣 **Present Mini-Apps**: Introduce Telegram Mini-Apps to the thriving memecoin audience, opening doors for collaborations and growth.

**Why this matters:**

Telegram Mini-Apps are at the forefront of digital interaction, and memecoins represent the cultural pulse of blockchain. Together, they create a unique synergy that:

- Attracts new users to Telegram and TON ecosystems.
- Encourages deeper community engagement and creative storytelling.
- Showcases the seamless integration of blockchain and social platforms.

Memecoins are driving this crypto trend, and TON ecosystem, with its access to nearly 1 billion Telegram users, has much to offer memecoin creators, traders, and communities. Curious about the data? Let’s take a look:

### **The numbers at a glance**

### **Major league**

- **Participating tokens**: 12
- **Combined market cap**: $425 million
- **Total trading volume**: $51 million

**Top daily trading volumes**

1. **TryTON**: over $470,000
2. **DOGS**: over $373,000
3. **REDO**: over $333,000

**Top communities**

1. **DOGS**
2. **FISH**
3. **POVEL DUREV**

### **Cabal Arena**

Below are the leading teams, tokens, and snipers in the Cabal Arena:

**Best Cabals**

1. the most lazy bobs with sponge
2. Rekt Squad
3. Oxptimus prime

**Best tokens***

1. NIKO
2. LAMBO
3. NEW

**Best snipers**

- Kuryanix
- Nikita Andreevich
- Skvoc
- Wild North

*One of the major metrics worth noting is the diamond hands score, also known as Retention; despite fluctuations, collective retention among top buyers is currently >30%! That's definitely something.

**Minor league overview**

- **Total tokens:** 12
- **Total market Cap:** $7.5M
- **Total volume:** $8.5M

**Top daily volumes:**

1. **DUCK:** >$137K
2. **UTYA:** >$97K
3. **SADMEOW:** >$25K

**Top communities:**

1. **DUCK**
2. **MITTENS**
3. **UTYA**

Memecoin Mountain has a total market cap of **$432.5 million,** up by $27.5 million (a 6.7% increase) since mid-November. In terms of combined volumes, over $19.5 million in trading volume has been added in the same period, a juicy >48%! Want to join the fun?

Whether you're a degen trader, a memecoin creator, or simply curious, Memelandia is your playground. December 15th isn't just an end date—it's the beginning of a new era for TON memecoins.💎

Stay tuned for more updates, including a weekly TON Memelandia AMA!

*Please note that these numbers are subject to significant fluctuations, and the data may differ depending on the reading time.*

Memecoin Mountain just got BIGGER (but easier to climb!) ️

# A developer’s guide to TON APIs and SDKs

TON Blockchain has increasingly become a magnet for blockchain developers globally, offering a welcoming space for Web3 development. To support this growth, we’ve put together a range of tools and libraries to simplify the process of building on TON Blockchain.

Whether you’re looking to write code quickly (`@ton/blueprint`), interact with blockchain systems (`@ton/ton, @ton-community/assets-sdk, @tonconnect/sdk`), or build and test applications (`@ton/core, @ton/crypto, @ton/sandbox)`, we’ve got you covered.

In the coming sections, we'll explain each library and show you how to use them with simple code examples.

## **`@ton/ton`**

[@ton/ton](https://github.com/ton-org/ton#readme) is a popular JavaScript/TypeScript library designed to interact with TON Blockchain. It allows developers to fetch wallet and blockchain data and execute transactions.

Here are a few examples:

**Creating a TON client**

A TON client is an abstraction layer for interacting with the blockchain. You can set the endpoint to either the testnet or mainnet.

- **Testnet:** https://testnet.toncenter.com/api/v2/jsonRPC
- **Mainnet:** https://toncenter.com/api/v2/jsonRPC

`const tonClient = new TonClient({`

`endpoint: 'https://testnet.toncenter.com/api/v2/jsonRPC'`

`});`

---

**Creating a wallet**

`function createWallet() {`

`let wallet = WalletContractV4.create({ publicKey: Buffer.from('[YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY]'), workchain: 0 });`

`return tonClient.open(wallet);`

`}`

---

**Creating a wallet balance**

`const wallet = createWallet();`

`let balance = await wallet.getBalance();`

---

**Sending a transaction**

`const wallet = createWallet();`

`let seqno = await wallet.getSeqno();`

`await wallet.sendTransfer({`

`seqno,`

`secretKey: Buffer.from('[YOUR_SECRET_KEY]'),`

`messages: [internal({`

`value: 100000n,`

`to: '[ADDRESS]'`

`})]`

`});`

---

In addition to standard wallets, the library supports other contracts, including `JettonMaster, JettonWallet, MultisigOrder, MultisigWallet,` and `ElectorContract`. It also includes functions for parsing configs, calculating gas fees, and more.

## `@ton-community/assets-sdk`

The [@ton-community/assets-sdk](https://github.com/ton-community/assets-sdk) is the easiest way to manage assets on TON. It provides a developer-friendly API for interacting with unique assets, including NFTs, SBTs, and Jettons.

The SDK includes pre-built solutions for Jetton and NFT contracts. You can use these as templates or starting points for creating custom wrappers, streamlining development and accelerating integration.

To start using this SDK, you need to set up an instance of `AssetsSDK` in your code. This will involve:

- **Specifying a storage option**: Currently, Pinata and S3 are supported out of the box, but you can implement your own storage solution via the interface.
- **Selecting an API**: Choose between mainnet and testnet.
- **Configuring a wallet**: V4 is supported out of the box.

Here’s a quick example to get you started:

import {`AssetsSDK, PinataStorageParams, createApi, createSender, createWalletV4, importKey`} from `"@ton-community/assets-sdk";`

`// create an instance of the TonClient4`

`const NETWORK = 'testnet';`

`const api = await createApi(NETWORK);`

`// create a sender from the wallet (in this case, Highload Wallet V2)`

`const keyPair = await importKey(process.env.MNEMONIC);`

`const sender = await createSender('highload-v2', keyPair, api);`

`// define the storage parameters (in this case, Pinata)`

`const storage: PinataStorageParams = {`

`pinataApiKey: process.env.PINATA_API_KEY!,`

`pinataSecretKey: process.env.PINATA_SECRET!,`

`}`

`// create the SDK instance`

`const sdk = AssetsSDK.create({`

`api: api,          // required, the TonClient4 instance`

`storage: storage,  // optional, the storage instance (Pinata, S3 or your own)`

`sender: sender,    // optional, the sender instance (WalletV4, TonConnect or your own)`

`});`

---

Here, you’ll need to pass your Pinata keys and the wallet mnemonic (space separated) as environment variables.

**Note:** Don't use the mnemonic in the browser environment. Opt for [TonConnect](https://github.com/ton-connect/sdk) instead.

Once everything is set up, you can:

- To create a Jetton minter or an NFT/SBT collection, use the methods `createJetton` or `createNftCollection/createSbtCollection`.
- Open an existing Jetton minter, Jetton wallet, NFT/SBT collection, or NFT/SBT item to perform actions such as minting, transferring, or burning.

## @ton/blueprint

[@ton/blueprint](https://github.com/ton-org/blueprint) is an environment for developing, testing, and deploying smart contracts. With various commands, it allows developers to build contracts, run scripts, and execute tests.

For example, to build a contract, you can use the following command:

`npx blueprint build <contract>`

---

This command compiles the contract located at `contracts/<contract>.`

To run a script, you need to use the command below:

`npx blueprint run <script>`

---

This command runs the script located at `scripts/<script>.`

Some other commands include:

- **`npx blueprint create:** to create a contract`
- `npx blueprint test: to run tests`

`Here's an example of a deployment script:`

`import { toNano } from '@ton/core';`

`import { Test } from '../wrappers/Test';`

`import { compile, NetworkProvider } from '@ton/blueprint';`

`export async function run(provider: NetworkProvider) {`

`const test = provider.open(`

`Test.createFromConfig(`

`{`

`id: Math.floor(Math.random() * 10000),`

`counter: 0,`

`},`

`await compile('Test')`

`)`

`);`

`await test.sendDeploy(provider.sender(), toNano('0.05'));`

`await provider.waitForDeploy(test.address);`

`}`

---

## @ton/sandbox

[@ton/sandbox](https://github.com/ton-org/sandbox) lets you emulate the blockchain, create smart contracts, send messages, view logs, and use GET methods.

To start emulating, you need to create a blockchain instance.

impo`rt { Blockchain } from "@ton/sandbox";`

`const blockchain = await Blockchain.create()`

---

This sets up a local blockchain environment for testing and development.

Once your blockchain instance is set up, you can use the low-level methods on blockchain, such as `sendMessage`, to emulate any messages you need. However, it’s recommended to write wrappers for your contract using the Contract interface from @ton/core. You can then use `blockchain.openContract` on those contract instances. This wraps them in a Proxy that supplies a `ContractProvider` as the first argument to any method that starts with get or send.

In addition, all send methods will be promisified. This means that they will return the method’s result in the result field, along with the outcomes from the blockchain message queue.

## @ton/core

[@ton/core](https://github.com/ton-org/ton-core) is the main library for developing on TON. It provides essential tools for serializing and deserializing almost everything you’ll encounter on TON Blockchain.

Here’s an example for assembling a message:

`const message = beginCell()`

`.storeUint(0x1, 32)`

`.storeCoins(123321)`

`.storeAddress(Address.parse(‘YOUR_ADDRESS’))`

`.storeMaybeRef(beginCell()`

`.storeBit(1)`

`.endCell()`

`)`

`.storeStringTail('String')`

`.endCell();`

---

Here’s an example of deserializing this message:

`const sc = message.beginParse();`

`const op = sc.loadUint(32);`

`const coins = sc.loadCoins();`

`const addr = sc.loadAddress();`

`const maybeRef = sc.loadMaybeRef();`

`let bit: boolean | null = null;`

`if (maybeRef) {`

`const sc = maybeRef.beginParse();`

`bit = sc.loadBit();`

`}`

`const str = sc.loadStringTail();`

---

In addition to serializing and deserializing structures, messages, and tuples, `@ton/core` includes key features such as Address, Dictionary, and [exotic cells](https://docs.ton.org/develop/data-formats/exotic-cells). It also provides a Sender interface for sending messages and allows for the creation of Merkle proofs.

Overall, `@ton/core` is your go-to tool for developing on TON.

## @ton/crypto

[@ton/crypto](https://github.com/ton-org/ton-crypto) is a cryptographic library essential for secure interactions on TON Blockchain. It supports working with mnemonics and cryptographically secure random numbers.

Here’s how to generate a mnemonic and a pair of private and public keys:

`const mnemonics = await mnemonicNew(24); // Generate new mnemonics`

`const keypair: KeyPair = await mnemonicToPrivateKey(mnemonics);`

---

## @tonconnect/sdk

[@tonconnect/sdk](https://github.com/ton-connect/sdk) is a comprehensive communication protocol for seamlessly integrating TON wallets. It comprises the following set of packages:

[@tonconnect/sdk](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@tonconnect/sdk) allows you to connect your app to TON wallets via the TonConnect protocol. To do this, you’ll need to call `restoreConnection.` The connection will be restored if the user has previously connected their wallet.

`import TonConnect from '@tonconnect/sdk';`

`const connector = new TonConnect({`

`manifestUrl: 'https://myApp.com/assets/tonconnect-manifest.json'`

`});`

`connector.restoreConnection();`

---

[@tonconnect/protocol](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@tonconnect/protocol) includes protocol requests, responses, event models, and encoding and decoding functions.

Here’s how to use protocol models in your app:

`import { AppRequest, RpcMethod, WalletResponse } from '@tonconnect/protocol';`

`function myWalletAppRequestsHandler<T extends RpcMethod>(request: AppRequest<T>): Promise<WalletResponse<T>> {`

`// handle request, ask the user for a confirmation and return WalletResponse`

`}`

---

Here’s how to use protocol cryptography in your app:

import `{ SessionCrypto, WalletMessage, Base64, hexToByteArray }` from `'@tonconnect/protocol';`

`function encodeIncommingHTTPBridgeRequest(encryptedMessage: string, from: string): WalletMessage {`

`const sessionCrypto = new SessionCrypto(yourStoredSessionReypair);`

`const decryptedMessage =`

`sessionCrypto.decrypt(`

`Base64.decode(bridgeIncomingMessage.message).toUint8Array(),`

`hexToByteArray(bridgeIncomingMessage.from)`

`);`

`return  JSON.parse(decryptedMessage);`

`}`

---

[@tonconnect/ui](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@tonconnect/ui) is a UI kit for the `TonConnect` SDK.

Here’s how to create a `TonConnectUI` instance:

import `TonConnectUI` from `'@tonconnect/ui'`

`const tonConnectUI = new TonConnectUI({`

`manifestUrl: 'https://<YOUR_APP_URL>/tonconnect-manifest.json',`

`buttonRootId: '<YOUR_CONNECT_BUTTON_ANCHOR_ID>'`

`});`

---

Calling this method awa`it tonConnectUI.openModal();` will display the modal window and return a promise that resolves after the modal window is opened.

[@tonconnect/ui-react](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@tonconnect/ui-react) is a React UI kit for the TonConnect SDK. Make sure to place all TonConnect UI hooks calls and the `<TonConnectButton` /> component inside `<TonConnectUIProvider>.`

`import { TonConnectUIProvider }` from `'@tonconnect/ui-react';`

`export function App() {`

`return (`

`<TonConnectUIProvider manifestUrl="https://<YOUR_APP_URL>/tonconnect-manifest.json">`

`{ /* Your app */ }`

`</TonConnectUIProvider>`

`);`

`}`

---

Use the `TonConnectModal` hook to access the functions for opening and closing the modal window. The hook returns an object with the current modal state and methods to open and close the modal.

import `{ useTonConnectModal }` from `'@tonconnect/ui-react';`

`export const ModalControl = () => {`

`const { state, open, close } = useTonConnectModal();`

`return (`

`<div>`

`<div>Modal state: {state?.status}</div>`

`<button onClick={open}>Open modal</button>`

`<button onClick={close}>Close modal</button>`

`</div>`

`);`

`};`

---

Use the TonWallet hook to retrieve the currently connected TON wallet. If no wallet is connected, the hook will return null.

import `{ useTonWallet }` from `'@tonconnect/ui-react';`

`export const Wallet = () => {`

`const wallet = useTonWallet();`

`return (`

`wallet && (`

`<div>`

`<span>Connected wallet: {wallet.name}</span>`

`<span>Device: {wallet.device.appName}</span>`

`</div>`

`)`

`);`

`};`

---

## Summing up

Every great technological leap begins with a single line of code and the determination to build something meaningful. The tools and libraries available provide the building blocks to create impactful solutions, from smart contracts to asset management.

The true potential lies in how you, the developer, take these tools and use them to influence the blockchain ecosystem. Your journey evolves with each experiment, every interaction, and all the knowledge you integrate into your projects. Dive deeper, collaborate with the community, and explore the ever-expanding ecosystem of TON.

A developer’s guide to TON APIs and SDKs

What if one simple tool could bring developers, creators, and users closer together while making digital transactions feel effortless? Earlier this year, Telegram launched its new in-app payment solution, turning heads and sparking curiosity. Whether buying digital goods and services or unlocking TON rewards and discounts, Telegram Stars is making it easier than ever for developers to thrive within the TON ecosystem.

Yet, amidst all the buzz, questions linger: How does Telegram Stars fit into the TON narrative? What’s in it for developers? And why should you care if you’re building on TON?

In this article, we’ll explore how Telegram Stars complements Toncoin, dispel misconceptions, and show why both are essential players in the journey toward decentralization.

## What is Telegram Stars?

Telegram Stars leverages TON Blockchain to make digital payments a breeze through in-app purchases. Working seamlessly with [Toncoin](https://blog.ton.org/building-a-web3-ecosystem-in-telegram-with-toncoin), Telegram Stars enhances user engagement, rewards contributions, and facilitates transactions across TON’s ecosystem.

## How Telegram Stars and Toncoin work together

One of the standout features of Telegram Stars is its strong synergy with Toncoin. Telegram Stars and Toncoin work hand-in-hand to make the TON ecosystem better for everyone. While Toncoin is the backbone of TON’s financial operations—supporting smart contracts, staking, and other decentralized services—Telegram Stars adds a whole new layer, focusing on community and engagement. Here’s how:

- **Supporting creators:** With Telegram Stars, you can directly reward creators you love. Whether it’s a developer or content creator, you can send Telegram Stars as a token of appreciation, encouraging them to continue creating great content for the TON community.
- **Discounted services:** For developers and content creators, you can advertise your mini apps and channels on Telegram at discounted rates. This means more exposure at less cost, helping you get your work in front of both Telegram and TON’s communities without breaking the bank.
- **Easy microtransactions:** Telegram Stars makes it easy for you to make small payments without the headache of navigating complex crypto platforms. This simplifies the onboarding process, making it simple for anyone, even newcomers, to take their first step into the TON ecosystem without stress.
- **Seamless asset exchange**: With seamless interoperability, you can swap Telegram Stars for Toncoin or other [TON-based assets](https://blog.ton.org/a-short-introduction-to-tokens-on-the-open-network), ensuring liquidity and flexibility.

Telegram Stars effortlessly connects Telegram’s micro-economy to [TON](https://blog.ton.org/what-is-ton-a-beginners-guide-to-the-open-network) Blockchain, increasing the utility and adoption of Toncoin. Together, Telegram Stars and Toncoin create a streamlined, multi-asset system that unlocks new monetization opportunities and makes life easier for developers and users. This isn’t just a win for Telegram—it’s a big boost for TON’s ecosystem, cementing its role as a key component of Telegram’s blockchain strategy.

## How Telegram Stars is boosting TON’s ecosystem

Telegram Stars encourages users to engage, share, and contribute to the Telegram and TON communities, increasing user participation. On the economic front, Telegram Stars also lowers barriers to entry for blockchain rewards and transactions, enabling a wide range of people to take part in TON's ecosystem. This aligns with TON's border mission of building a dynamic and inclusive digital environment, paving the way for decentralization and mass adoption.

To sum up, Telegram Stars is another bold step by Telegram in its ongoing support of TON and crypto adoption while aligning with iOS and Android guidelines. Since September 2023, Telegram has been on a roll, introducing features like the [TON-based @wallet](https://blog.ton.org/introducing-wallet-pay-revolutionary-technology-for-shopping-with-cryptocurrency), sharing ad revenue with channel owners using Toncoin, and even planning to turn its stickers and emojis into NFTs on TON. These efforts continue to enhance TON’s ecosystem and bring it closer to millions of Telegram users.

## Case study: Telegram, TON, and mini-apps

 ![1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/1_9c261663a8/1_9c261663a8.png) 

TON-based Telegram mini-apps have adopted innovative revenue-sharing mechanisms using Telegram Stars and Toncoin. By using Telegram Stars to onboard users and generating revenue that is shared back through Toncoin and Jettons, they’re turning engagement into real value.

These strategies not only elevate the user experience but also help sustain the long-term value of their tokens, adding another layer of incentive. Mini-apps like Major, PAWS, and Catizen lead the charge, demonstrating how this approach creates a more engaging and rewarding ecosystem.
 ![2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/2_7ae4407700/2_7ae4407700.png) 

 ![3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/3_3330d2f43f/3_3330d2f43f.png) 

> *"TON’s robust technical foundation and thriving developer community are driving our expansion,"* said **Tim Wong, Chairman of the Catizen Foundation**. *“The integration of Telegram Stars with TON’s ecosystem tokens is a remarkable innovation. By leveraging the blockchain's robust infrastructure and the integration of Telegram Stars, Catizen is redefining gaming, rewards, and community engagement within TON’s ecosystem."*
> 

[Catizen](https://blog.ton.org/ton-innovators-catizen-2) is an excellent example of how Telegram Stars and TON Blockchain have come together to create a unique ecosystem that encompasses gaming, rewards, and social engagement.

Telegram Stars makes it easy for Catizen players to top up their game balances, allowing Telegram users to become token holders through on-chain rewards. These users then continue to play new games, such as Bombie, which has already generated over $5 million in revenue.

By using Telegram Stars and CATI tokens as exclusive in-game currencies, the entire experience becomes more immersive. Additionally, initiatives like airdrop passes encourage users to come back for more.

Telegram Stars is the perfect bridge for newcomers stepping into the crypto world. Almost all users who pay with Telegram Stars hold TON, CATI, or USDT-TON, highlighting Telegram Stars’ role in supporting the TON ecosystem.

## How to buy Telegram Stars

Buying Telegram Stars is simple and straightforward, no matter how you prefer to pay.

 ![4.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/4_1ce8d9c49b/4_1ce8d9c49b.png) 

You can buy Telegram Stars directly within the Telegram app using Apple Pay or Google Pay.

1. Open the Telegram app and go to **Settings**.
2. Click **My Stars** to access the Telegram Stars page.
3. Click **Buy More Stars** and choose the number of Stars you’d like to buy.
4. Complete your purchase using your local currency via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

 ![5.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/5_f2c9539752/5_f2c9539752.png) 

If you’re already part of the TON ecosystem, buying Telegram Stars with Toncoin on Fragment is just as easy.

1. Visit the [Fragment Telegram Stars page](https://fragment.com/stars).
2. Click **Connect TON** to log in to your TON wallet.
3. Choose the number of Stars you’d like to buy and click **Buy Telegram Stars**.
4. Complete your payment using Toncoin.

Once the transaction is confirmed, the Telegram Stars will be added to your Telegram account.

For developers and creators, you can also easily withdraw Telegram Stars by converting them into Toncoin via Fragment.

1. Visit the [Fragment Telegram Stars page](https://fragment.com/stars).
2. Click **Connect TON** to log in to your TON wallet.
3. Follow the prompts to complete your withdrawal.

**Note:** You must have a minimum of 1,000 Stars in your account to initiate a withdrawal. Newly earned Stars will only be eligible for withdrawal after a waiting period of 21 days.

## Looking ahead: Telegram Stars as your gateway from Web2 to Web3

Telegram Stars isn’t just another cool feature. It’s your ticket to the Web3 revolution and the best part? You don’t need to know anything about crypto to get started. If you’re already familiar with likes and digital gifts on social media, Telegram Stars will feel right at home. By bridging the gap between the comfort of Web2 and the freedom of Web3, Telegram Stars makes it easy for everyone to take that first step into a decentralized world—one Star at a time.

Telegram Stars: uniting developers, creators, and TON’s ecosystem

With Season 6 of The Open League (TOL 6) having come to a close, it’s time to reflect on all the highlights, milestones, and standout moments that made this season one for the books. With increasing user activity, impressive rewards, and incredible team performance, TOL 6 was the most successful season yet by various key metrics.

Let’s recap TOL season 6, covering everything from the airdrop madness to the rise of top apps, DeFi protocols, and NFT collections.

## **The airdrop season was on fire!**

1.8M Normie and 217.7K Degen badges were minted throughout the campaigns. Of those, 20,094 wallets were eligible for the Normie airdrop (284 wallets excluded due to Sybil activity), and 1947 unique wallets obtained rewards for being active in the Degen campaign! 

For the [Degen airdrop](https://society.ton.org/degen-airdrop), users needed to get a Degen badge and provide at least $200 of liquidity or trade for at least $1000 in the participating DeFi projects.

Average Degen airdrop size: $84.5

Maximum Degen airdrop size: $1,000

To be considered active participants in the [Normie airdrop](https://society.ton.org/normie-airdrop), users needed to get a Normie badge and make a transaction in at least two apps of the App League—176,000 unique wallets managed to achieve this! To qualify for the actual reward, the wallet's Normie score needed to equal or exceed 8 points.

Average Normie airdrop size: $49.7

Maximum Normie airdrop size: $584.6

The community came together in a big way, and the competitive spirit was palpable as wallets vied for the top spots.

## **1. App League: Growth, recognition, and top performers**

83 TON Apps attracted 3.9M unique active wallets - a stunning 390% growth compared to Season 5! Well, no wonder - Blum alone hit 2.5M UAW.

It is also worth mentioning five Apps with the highest average Normie score among their users. [**Squid TG](https://t.me/squidtg_bot), [xRare](https://t.me/xrare), [Fanton](https://t.me/FanTonGameBot), [Gatto](https://t.me/gatto_gamebot), and [Tonalytics](https://t.me/tonalytics_bot)** managed to attract the highest-quality active on-chain users—kudos to the teams; you are on the right track (and it will very much play into your hands in the next season!).

[The selection criteria for mentioning these five apps were that they have at least 1000+ UAW, with at least 30% qualifying as Normies and showing an average Normie score above 42.]

Now, drum-roll! The winners of the App League who showed the highest sums of their users’ Normie scores are:

1. [**Blum**](https://t.me/BlumCryptoBot)
2. [**Catizen**](https://t.me/catizenbot)
3. [**Yescoin**](https://t.me/theYescoin_bot)
4. [**TON Station**](https://t.me/tonstationgames_bot)
5. [**Getgems**](https://t.me/GetgemsNftBot)

They secured $75,000, $50,000, $35,000, $25,000, and $15,000 in extra prizes for their communities, respectively! Their users must be proud and grateful to share this $200,000 additional reward pool. Great job, teams!

 ![Screenshot 1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Screenshot_1_1664d91bbd/Screenshot_1_1664d91bbd.png) 

## **2. DeFi League: Excellent TVL and trading volume performance**

The DeFi League stole the spotlight with impressive numbers, highlighting the growth of the ever-evolving TON DeFi landscape. This season, the league recorded $6.9 million in TVL and a $103 million trading volume. The numbers don’t lie. This growth trajectory shows the increasing trust and interest in TON-based DeFi projects.

Top Performers in TVL:

- [**Hipo**](https://hipo.finance/) led the season, locking in $4.4 million.
- [**Aqua Protocol**](https://aquaprotocol.xyz/) followed with $1.13 million.
- [**JVault**](https://jvault.xyz/) rounded out the top three with $1.12 million.

To amaze you even more, some teams demonstrated unprecedented growth of their TVL since the season started: [**Parraton**](https://t.me/parraton_bot) - 3000%, [**TON Hedge**](https://t.me/ton_hedge_bot/trade) - 672%, and [**SettleTON**](https://t.me/settleton_bot) - 351%!

 ![Screenshot 2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Screenshot_2_5ef77a1149/Screenshot_2_5ef77a1149.png) 

In the Volume Squad, we’d like to highlight the performance of:

▪️ [**Tradoor**](https://t.me/tradoor_io_bot) topped the charts with an impressive $81.4M in generated volume

▪️ [**GasPump**](https://t.me/gasPump_bot) ($14.6M)

▪️ [**Rainbow Swap**](https://t.me/rainbow_swap_bot/app)  ($4.5M)

Each DeFi squad winner will share a $48K Adsgram credits reward pool, with the first place in each Squad getting $10K, followed by the second with $8K, and the third with a $6K reward.

Additionally, teams achieving $5M in TVL or $50M in monthly volume, like Hipo and Tradoor, are eligible for financial support for smart contract audits. They have gained the honorary status of the **DeFi League Graduate** and cannot participate in future seasons of the DeFi League—they are eligible for a separate incentive track instead.

 ![Screenshot 3.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Screenshot_3_0f681ffa07/Screenshot_3_0f681ffa07.png) 

## **3. NFT League: New heroes and creative growth**

The NFT League was a vibrant arena this season, showcasing creativity and community engagement through incredible collections. Three projects rose above the rest, earning rewards and recognition:

1. [**Gatto**](https://getgems.io/collection/EQA2glKDbvezR0KZstAqNmHLEpkOHId1RYAGwza06XLCOLTl) - $6,000 in Telegram ads credits.
2. [**Crypton**](https://getgems.io/collection/EQBdJY4Z6U0qmfN-wBAdVLz87S4iYbLfAmWQo0W5uLBRuwdT) - $5,500 in ads credits.
3. [**Smeshariki**](https://getgems.io/collection/EQDy9MAb0FQN0WpDi8NVio2rEDcK2cSDNDeEJOEW9PIyImL6) - $5,000 in ads credits.

These top collections captured the community’s attention, offering unique digital assets that resonated with collectors and fans. The projects featured in this season set the benchmark for future participants, proving that innovation and engagement are the keys to standing out.

 ![Screenshot 4.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Screenshot_4_1ed7efa32c/Screenshot_4_1ed7efa32c.png) 

## **4. TON Gateway Special Edition prizes for best performers**

[TON Gateway](https://tongateway.org/) is the premier annual event that celebrates the TON Community's achievements and brings its ecosystem together to propel the mission of bringing Web3 to millions of Telegram users. TON Gateway is a central hub for collaboration and innovation supported by TON blockchain.

The top performers of the App and DeFi Leagues - Blum, Catizen, Yescoin, Tradoor, Hipo, GasPump, JVault, Aqua Protocol, and Rainbow Swap - received speaking slots and free tickets for their team or community.

For those who attended the Gateway, did you spot the promo for Gatto, NUTCRACKERS CLUB, and Crypton's stunning NFT collections on the large screen right at the main stage? That was their well-deserved reward for ranking top in the NFT League!

## **What’s cooking for Season 7?**

With Season 6 officially wrapped up, the anticipation for Season 7 is building up. The Open League has proven to be an ever-evolving platform that inspires creativity among participants.

With the holidays approaching, the upcoming season promises a festive flair. Expect fresh challenges, new partners, and opportunities for the community to participate in new ways.

Get ready to polish those badges, strategize your moves, and aim for the top as TOL prepares to kick off another thrilling chapter!

Are you ready for Season 7? Something new is cooking. With a smell of Christmas and New Year!

The Open League Season 6 Recap: A Triumph of Community and Innovation


- 20 days
- $1,500,000 airdrop for users
- DeFi League for projects
- 20+ teams participating

Are you eager to learn more? Let’s go!

## **Foreword**

The Open League's beta season launched in March 2024. The original goals were to strongly boost the core ecosystem projects and their assets and spur the emergence of new applications, DeFi protocols, Games, NFT collections, SocialFi and Utility apps, and more.

**How have TON Apps been doing?**

We’ve seen the number of Apps participating in the App League skyrocket from some 20 teams to 83 projects! Those 83 talented teams attracted almost 4M unique on-chain users in the last season - wow!

**What about DeFi? In brief, it’s growing at an immense pace!** If, in early 2024, we only had several protocols like [DeDust](https://dedust.io/), [Storm Trade](https://storm.tg/), [Evaa](https://evaa.finance/), [STON.fi](http://ston.fi/), [Tonstakers](https://tonstakers.com/), and [bemo](https://bemo.fi/), we can now boast more than 30 mainnet DeFi projects on [Defillama.](https://defillama.com/chain/TON)

Eight (8) teams: STON.fi, DeDust, Evaa, Storm, [Tradoor](https://t.me/tradoor_io_bot), [Hipo](https://hipo.finance/), Tonstakers, and bemo have shown impressive results in The Open League, winning more than $2M in prizes, being honored as DeFi League Graduates, and embarking on a special incentive track. These teams do not compete in the DeFi League anymore.

Since Season 6, the DeFi League has focused on smaller, early-stage teams with high potential. Some of them, like [Parraton](http://t.me/parraton_bot?startapp), [TON Hedge](https://t.me/ton_hedge_bot?startapp), or [SettleTON](https://t.me/settleton_bot?startapp), have already demonstrated 3 - or even 4-digit growth numbers recently - and this is just the beginning. We expect 10+ new protocols to join Season 7 and engage in a fair fight for prizes and users!

**How about TON users?** Users have been extremely engaged throughout the seasons, farming The Open League airdrops and rewards for liquidity providers on DEXs. In Season 6, 2 million airdrop participation badges were minted, showing great interest in ecosystem products.

We saw many new people onboarded into TON DeFi: Roughly 2,000 users received the [Degen airdrop](https://society.ton.org/degen-airdrop), and 20,000 wallets actively participated in DeFi within the [Normie airdrop](https://society.ton.org/normie-airdrop).

But we should aim higher! TON DeFi protocols deserve more attention, more prizes, and more usage!

As 2024 comes to an end, we need to set plans and narratives for the next year. DeFi will be one of them, [as announced at TON Gateway](https://youtu.be/Y7zA6K8-oWM?list=PLzF1OAbyoK_nNgvww_S2TRScWmzIIM1WB&t=17541).

So why don’t we go FULL DeFi in Season 7? A large airdrop for DeFi users and a fierce but healthy and friendly competition for young DeFi projects. We love the App and NFT Leagues, too - but let’s put them on break this time.

New Year’s Eve is a good time to explore new and exciting DeFi protocols and earn decent rewards for real on-chain contributions.

## **The $1,500,000 New Year Airdrop for users**

So, in Season 7, TON users are welcome to fully direct their efforts into providing liquidity and trading in 20+ DeFi projects and farm The Open League New Year airdrop.

To participate in the airdrop, they must obtain their DeFi badge on the TON Society website (just as in Season 6, no changes) and start growing their DeFi Score by interacting with TON DeFi protocols from the catalog.

Every target action in these projects for the indicated minimum amount will add a particular number of points to their Score. These target actions usually include providing liquidity or trading for the indicated minimum amount. Points given for the interaction with each project may differ.

Once the campaign starts, the entire catalog of DeFi protocols, with the number of points assigned for each target interaction with them, will be found on the airdrop page on the TON Society website.

Users can check their DeFi score in the user leaderboard throughout the season. At the end of the season, the minimum eligibility score will be announced, and the reward size for each eligible wallet will appear on the user leaderboard. Based on their final score, wallets that meet the requirements will receive rewards.

## **DeFi League: TVL Squad & Volume Squad for TON DeFi protocols**

From Season to Season, the DeFi League is designed to create a fruitful environment for early-stage TON DeFi protocols that contribute to growing the TVL and Volume on the TON blockchain. For the DeFi League contestants, Season 7 will be somewhat similar to Season 6.

Projects that comply with the eligibility criteria can participate in up to two squads, depending on the core metric of their protocol: **TVL Squad** and **Volume Squad.** Projects of the Squads will be ranked in the leaderboard based on their **contribution to the total TVL/Volume** generated during the season. The exact methodology for tracking the metrics of each protocol can be found [on this GitHub page.](https://github.com/ton-society/the-open-league/tree/main)

Active on-chain users of participating contestants will be eligible for The Open League New Year airdrop, which will help boost TVL and trading volume.

Top-performing teams will share a $100,000 reward pool in [Adsgram](https://adsgram.ai/) credits. Plus, teams that successfully graduate from the DeFi League will receive coverage for their audit costs at the end of the season!

**How to apply?**

Teams that took part in the previous seasons of the DeFi League and that do not have a status of a “DeFi League graduate” (applies to STON.fi, DeDust, Evaa, Storm, Tradoor, Hipo, Tonstakers, bemo - the teams that already won The Open League previously) are whitelisted to join the next season and do not need to re-apply. That said, they need to check the eligibility criteria to stay on the leaderboard.

New teams that have yet to participate in the DeFi League are welcome to join, submitting their application on [TONResearch](https://tonresear.ch/t/about-the-defi-league-category/20071).

✅ Learn more about the eligibility criteria for all participants [here](https://www.notion.so/DeFi-League-New-Year-Edition-S7-Rules-for-Teams-13e5274bd2cf8059961df3d4b9ee2b65?pvs=21).

❓ [🙇🏻‍♂️How to submit your application on TONResearch](https://www.notion.so/How-to-submit-your-application-on-TONResearch-c9827f6f60fc4f64b6e8701a96643044?pvs=21)

## **Ready steady go!**

Essentially, The Open League New Year Season is about users farming the airdrop by exploring and utilising TON DeFi protocols and DeFi protocols, competing for the highest TVL/Volume to win prizes.

If you are ready to take up the challenge, let’s go!

**The DeFi League**

- New teams eager to join - [apply here](https://www.notion.so/How-to-submit-your-application-on-TONResearch-c9827f6f60fc4f64b6e8701a96643044?pvs=21)
- Teams that participated previously - no need to re-apply, but check the eligibility criteria [here](https://www.notion.so/DeFi-League-New-Year-Edition-S7-Rules-for-Teams-13e5274bd2cf8059961df3d4b9ee2b65?pvs=21)

**The New Year Airdrop**

- Get readyyyy to provide liquidity and make volume!

Applications for projects to join the DeFi League are now open and will close on November 22nd.

The Open League New Year Season will kick off on November 27th and last till December 17th.

The Open League New Year Special Edition is Calling!



The Hackers League Sponsor Series celebrates the invaluable contributions of sponsors who help make the Hackathon possible. Their support fuels innovation, strengthens the developer community, and spotlights projects advancing blockchain. These articles dive into what sponsors hope to see from participants, offering insight into what makes a winning project.

Today, we’re featuring **Arkham**, a diamond sponsor and leader in blockchain intelligence dedicated to shining a light on crypto market activity. Supported by renowned founders of Palantir and OpenAI, alongside major trading firms and venture capitalists, Arkham has built an AI-powered platform that unveils the real-world identities behind blockchain transactions. Their mission centers on promoting transparency across the crypto space, making it easier for traders, investors, and researchers to access actionable insights.

Arkham’s sponsorship of the Hackers League marks a significant step in their partnership with TON. With plans to integrate the TON blockchain into their platform, Arkham is excited to empower developers and engage directly with the TON community through this event.

### **Could you introduce your project/entity? What motivated you to sponsor the Hacker?**

Arkham is a blockchain intelligence company backed by the founders of Palantir and OpenAI, trading and market-making firms and some of the world's best venture capitalists. They've built an AI platform to provide information on the real-world entities and individuals behind crypto market activity.

Sponsoring the Hacker League was a no-brainer for Arkham, given our existing partnership with TON and the imminent integration of TON blockchain. The integration will enable far more advanced onchain analysis within the TON ecosystem than was previously possible, directly in line with Arkham’s mission of bringing unparalleled transparency to crypto markets.

The Hacker League is a great introduction for Arkham to the TON community, particularly its builders, investors, and traders. It is also a perfect opportunity for TON users to become familiar with Arkham (and be rewarded for doing so).

### **Are there specific ways you envision your tools/platforms helping developers build solutions on TON?**

Arkham’s platform and API serve many users and use cases. However, they are especially well suited for crypto traders and investors, who can incorporate on-chain analysis into their strategies using Arkham.

Arkham is free and accessible via our [platform](http://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/). Sophisticated market participants can apply for access to the Arkham API at [arkhamintelligence.com/api-platform](http://arkhamintelligence.com/api-platform).

### **In your view, how do hackathons like Hackers League encourage innovation within the TON ecosystem? Which track in the Hacker League do you find most promising, and why?**

Initiatives like the Hackers League provide an excellent platform for dedicated users to collaborate and create impactful projects, bringing together individuals who often work independently. We look forward to the developments from the On-chain Data Analytics track we’re sponsoring.

### **Do you plan to build long-term relationships with innovators and developers after the Hackers League Hackathon? Do you have anything planned for projects that impress your team?**

Absolutely. Arkham is always looking to work with and support users, especially builders, traders, and investors, who share its vision. It has a number of dedicated programs, like [Arkham VIP](https://www.arkhamintelligence.com/affiliates), to reward users for contributing to its community and mission.

### **What to expect moving forward**

Arkham’s involvement in the Hackers League Hackathon highlights its dedication to empowering the next wave of blockchain innovations. By providing tools for deep on-chain data analysis and supporting developers beyond the event, Arkham continues to contribute to a transparent and insightful crypto market.

Stay updated with future interviews in our Sponsor Series to learn more about the companies shaping the Hackathon. The continuous support from these sponsors provides resources to help build a vibrant blockchain future.

Explore more about Arkham by visiting [Arkham Intelligence](http://platform.arkhamintelligence.com/).

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

Hackers League Sponsor Series | Arkham's Mission to Improve Blockchain Transparency

Telegram has grown beyond just a messaging app—it’s now a platform where developers can create and deploy interactive applications directly within the chat interface. One of the most exciting opportunities for developers is the ability to create Mini Apps. These small but powerful web apps run seamlessly within the Telegram ecosystem and offer a broad range of functionality. Thanks to the Mini Apps, users can easily access games, e-commerce, productivity tools and more thereby fostering an exploration of diverse services without obstacles.

In this guide, we’ll walk through Telegram Mini Apps and the importance of having mentors to guide you through their development.

*The clock is ticking! Register now for the Hackers League Hackathon Winter 2024 and secure your spot to learn about Telegram Mini Apps and more!*

<button href="https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps" passutmsource="true">
REGISTER NOW
</button >

## **What is a Telegram Mini App?**

Telegram Mini Apps are lightweight web applications embedded within the Telegram platform. They run inside Telegram’s interface and interact directly with users without requiring them to leave the chat. Developers leverage Telegram Mini Apps to offer engaging experiences, from creating games to providing services or utilities.

Because they don’t require additional downloads and work within the familiar Telegram chat environment, Mini Apps are easy to use and accessible to millions worldwide. The reduced barrier to entry makes these apps popular with developers and users, fueling (without using the term) an innovative community around them.

## **Building Telegram Mini Apps and the importance of mentorship**

Developing a Telegram Mini App presents an exciting opportunity for developers to tap into a massive user base and enhance user engagement. With almost 1 billion users, Telegram offers a platform where Mini Apps can instantly reach a global audience without the need to build a full-scale mobile app.

These apps are embedded directly into chats, allowing users to interact with them in real time without leaving the conversation. The ease of integration and use makes Telegram Mini Apps a powerful tool for expanding reach and delivering seamless experiences.

However, creating something innovative within a short timeframe, such as during hackathons, can be challenging. Having mentors during such periods becomes crucial. Mentors are essential in helping developers refine their ideas and overcome technical hurdles.

Whether ensuring the feasibility of a concept or offering advice on complex technical issues, mentors provide the clarity and confidence needed to build working dApps. They help teams focus on what matters most—building apps that are not only functional but impactful, scalable, and efficient.

## **Why mentorship matters for developers building Telegram Mini Apps**

Building a Telegram Mini App requires technical expertise and a clear understanding of user experience within Telegram’s ecosystem. Mentors can play a pivotal role in helping developers understand the platform's nuances, giving them insights into user behavior and expectations that can elevate the app experience.

Let’s break down the key ways mentorship can enhance your Telegram Mini App development process:

### **1. Refining your idea for the telegram environment**

When developing a Mini App, you need to think about how your app will function within Telegram's interface's specific limitations and possibilities. A mentor with experience building apps for Telegram can help you refine your concept to fit these constraints.

For example, mentors can guide you in simplifying the user flow, ensuring that the app remains intuitive and easy to use within the confines of a chat-based interface. They can also provide feedback on what interactions work best in Telegram, ensuring your app maximizes its potential.

### **2. Improving technical execution**

Mentors are invaluable in guiding developers through the technical complexities of Mini App development. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and save significant time, from setting up APIs to troubleshooting bugs.

For example, integrating payment systems or establishing a secure environment for user data within a Mini App can be intricate tasks. Mentors with experience in these areas can provide invaluable guidance, helping you implement secure and efficient solutions that adhere to best practices.

### **3. Overcoming hackathon time constraints**

Time is of the essence in any hackathon. With limited hours to bring your vision to life, having a mentor to help you prioritize tasks and make decisions is crucial. They can help you focus on what’s most important and steer you away from features or functions that might not add value within the limited timeframe.

Mentors can also assist with code reviews, providing a fresh set of eyes to catch errors or inefficiencies you might miss in the rush to meet deadlines. Their feedback can significantly improve the overall quality of your app, making it more polished and ready for presentation.

### **Developer success stories: Mentorship matters**

Past hackathon projects like Chick Coop, showcased in the [**TON Giant Series**](https://blog.ton.org/ton-giants-chick-coop-1), attribute much of their success to mentorship from the TON community. Mentors provided critical guidance throughout development, helping teams refine their ideas and overcome technical challenges.

As Chick Coop highlights, *"The Summer Hackathon experience provided us with valuable feedback and allowed us to refine our project. It brought us closer to launching the SocialFi Gameverse on the TON Blockchain, with Chick Coop as the starting point. The Hackathon also opened doors for collaborations and networking within the TON community, which has been crucial for our ongoing development.”*

## **Watch our Open League Hackathon workshop on how to create a successful Telegram Mini App**

During our Open League Hackathon, Gleb Voronstov, Telegram Apps Lead, hosted a workshop to provide developers with insights on creating a Telegram Mini App and leveraging its features.

Watch the workshop below to receive plenty of alpha and supercharge your development process:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jM3wGHMI7NM?si=MrBIYFVH0rzLsh7-" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## **Wrapping up**

Building a Telegram Mini App can be a rewarding experience, especially when you have the guidance of a knowledgeable mentor. Mentors help refine your ideas, provide technical expertise, and support you through the inevitable challenges of hackathons. Their feedback can transform a good app into a great one, ensuring your project stands out.

By understanding Telegram’s unique opportunities and using mentorship to guide your development process, you can create a high-functioning Mini App that resonates with users.

*Are you ready to showcase your hacking skills? The Hackers League Hackathon Winter 2024 is here. Limited spots available – don't miss out!*

<button href="https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps" passutmsource="true">
REGISTER NOW
</button >

Mastering Telegram Mini Apps: A Developer’s Guide to Mentorship

The Hackers League Sponsor Series recognizes the essential contributions of sponsors who play a vital role in the Hackathon's success. These sponsors support and guide skilled developers as they compete for substantial prizes, helping to fuel innovation across Web3. Throughout the series, we dive into the sponsors' motivations, goals, and insights into developer projects.

Today’s article highlights *TON Apps*, a Title Sponsor focused on advancing the TON API ecosystem. TON Apps is dedicated to driving the development of innovative utility applications, leveraging the power of TON blockchain. With a mission to onboard and inspire developers, TON Apps leads the *TON Apps Track*, aiming to expand the blockchain’s reach and impact.

### **Could you introduce TON Apps and explain your motivation for sponsoring the TON Hackers League Hackathon?**

TON Apps, a leading innovator on the TON blockchain, aims to build applications that bring utility and engagement to millions of users. This year, as a Title Sponsor of the Hackers League Hackathon, we are excited to support developer onboarding for the TON API. We seek to enhance the visibility of TON's potential in gaming and utility-focused dApps, attracting developers with diverse skills to explore and build in the ecosystem.

Our main objectives include:

- **Onboarding new developers to the TON API** to support innovative projects.
- **Expanding the TON blockchain’s role** in gaming and utility-driven applications.

### **How do these goals align with TON Apps’ broader mission and innovation strategy?**

TON Apps aims to grow the TON developer ecosystem by building a foundation of skilled developers who can effectively use the TON API. By investing in infrastructure development, TON Apps empowers the creation of innovative, high-quality dApps that seamlessly integrate with Tonkeeper. Our approach encourages app ecosystem development, sustainability, innovation, and adoption of TON technology via problem-solving apps.

### **Could you share more about the track you are sponsoring? What innovations or opportunities are you hoping to see?**

We are thrilled to support the *TON Apps Track*, which centers on creative applications of the TON API and other solutions from Tonconsole.com. We hope to see dApps emerge that provide tangible value to Tonkeeper’s 70 million users, creating diverse and practical use cases that demonstrate the blockchain’s potential.

### **What kind of support, such as workshops, will you provide for participants in this track? And what kind of rewards will you offer for winners in this track?**

We will host workshops to guide participants in using the TON API, and provide mentorship throughout the event. The rewards include:

- **1st Place**: $5,000 + $7,000 in TON API credits + 30K Tonkeeper messages + Mentorship
- **2nd Place**: $3,000 + $5,000 in TON API credits + 20K Tonkeeper messages + Mentorship
- **3rd Place**: $2,000 + $3,000 in TON API credits + 10K Tonkeeper messages + Mentorship
- **4th Place**: $1,500 + $2,000 in TON API credits + 5K Tonkeeper messages + Mentorship
- **5th Place**: $1,000 + $1,500 in TON API credits + 3K Tonkeeper messages + Mentorship

Every participant will also receive assistance with TON API onboarding.

### **What factors should startups consider regarding market fit in this track? Why are projects in this track valuable to TON?**

Startups should focus on creating applications with:

- **Usability**: Offering practical solutions for users’ daily tasks.
- **User engagement**: Providing interactive features that enhance user experiences.
- **Intuitive UI**: Ensuring that applications are easy to navigate and visually appealing.
- **Long-term value**: Developing projects that prioritize retention and user loyalty.
- **Profit-sharing mechanisms**: Enabling B2B referral mechanics to drive revenue.

### **Will you further support the winners in your track after the hackathon? Are there any plans you can share at this time?**

Yes, we plan to continue working with top-performing teams by consulting on TON API best practices and product development. Exceptional projects may also receive marketing support and user acquisition assistance, including exposure within the Tonkeeper browser.

Discover Ton Apps and its tightly integrated products in TON ecosystem: [Tonkeeper](https://t.co/XxyCzbVaCg), [Tonviewer](https://tonviewer.com/), [Tonconsole](https://tonconsole.com/), and [TON API](https://tonapi.io/).

Stay tuned for more Sponsor Series articles as we continue highlighting the vision and contributions of TON Hackathon sponsors. Thanks to the generous support and guidance of sponsors like TON Apps, the hackathon is shaping up to be our largest yet.

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

Hackers League Sponsor Series | TON Apps Empowers Developers with TON API Integration

In the ever-evolving blockchain landscape, bridging traditional assets with DeFi ecosystems has become revolutionary, and TON is making bold strides to lead the way. Recently, we introduced TON Teleport BTC, a decentralized bridge allowing for the seamless transfer of BTC with TON’s network. This bridge enables BTC holders to leverage their assets within TON’s DeFi ecosystem, unlocking new possibilities, like yield farming, using Bitcoin as collateral. For BTC enthusiasts, it’s the first step in transforming dormant assets into opportunities for growth.

## **Bridging Bitcoin to TON: A Practical Evolution**

TON has set a clear vision: to connect cryptocurrencies with real-world practicalities. Following the successful integration of native USDt, TON is now expanding its horizon with TON Teleport BTC. This bridge brings Bitcoin, the world’s most famous, well established, and dominant cryptocurrency into TON’s ecosystem, giving BTC holders new opportunities to explore DeFi applications, and participate in yield generation, staking, and more.

## **From Wallets to the World of DeFi**

Traditionally, BTC is locked away in wallets, sitting idle, while holders wait for its value to appreciate. But with TON Teleport BTC, users gain access to a suite of DeFi tools that make Bitcoin an active participant. The BTC transferred into the TON Network transforms into tgBTC, a synthetic Bitcoin equivalent, through a Peg-in process. The tgBTC will maintain a 1:1 backing with BTC, meaning it’s entirely redeemable for Bitcoin wherever the user wants to Peg-out back to the BTC blockchain. This seamless back-and-forth is enabled by trustless, decentralized, and automated smart contracts, eliminating the need for reliance on centralized control.

## **How TON Teleport BTC Works**

TON Teleport BTC is designed to provide a secure, transparent, and decentralized experience:

- **Peg-in process**: BTC holders move their Bitcoin into the TON Network. Where it’s converted to tgBTC, a token that fully represents BTC within the TON ecosystem.
- **Access to DeFi**: Once teleported, tgBTC can be utilized in yield farming, lending, and other DeFi activities. Bringing active utility to otherwise dormant BTC assets.
- **Redeem Anytime**: When users decide to transfer back to Bitcoin, they simply Peg-out, converting their tgBTC back to BTC with ease and confidence.

## **The $10 billion Opportunity**

TON Teleport BTC signals a future where cryptocurrency can be a fully active participant in the financial ecosystem, moving beyond storage to become a versatile asset. As BTC holders join the TON Network, they’re not just gaining access to new tools—they’re joining a movement to make crypto practical, accessible, and integrated into daily life.

With a $10 billion market cap for Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), a substantial 40% of which is actively used in DeFi, BTC’s potential is clearer than ever. TON Teleport BTC allows Bitcoin holders to gain exposure to DeFi without relying on centralized bridges, unlocking more opportunities to HODL, earn, and grow their holdings within a secure and decentralized network.

## **The Future of Decentralized Finance**

TON Teleport BTC advances TON and Bitcoin by enabling secure, trustless cross-chain transactions, verified on the TON Blockchain without third-party involvement. This solution enhances Bitcoin's scalability and interoperability, offering a transparent, reliable framework for cross-chain transactions. By expanding Bitcoin’s liquidity and utility through decentralized systems, TON Teleport BTC marks a breakthrough in cross-chain technology, paving the way for seamless multi-blockchain integration and the future of cryptocurrency.

## **Prepare for a new era of BTC on TON**

TON Teleport BTC marks the beginning of BTC’s journey within the TON ecosystem. It offers BTC holders a decentralized, trustless path to explore TON’s DeFi tools, trading platforms, and yield-generating services.

We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible with TON Teleport BTC. Keep an eye on our updates to see how TON continues to build a bridge between crypto worlds, creating new utility and value for BTC and beyond.

Join this community to learn more: https://t.me/tgbtc_news

*To read an introduction about the TON Teleport BTC, [click here](https://blog.ton.org/introducing-ton-teleport-bringing-bitcoin-to-ton).*

Unlocking BTC’s Potential in TON: Introducing TON Teleport BTC

Welcome to the Hackers League Sponsor Series, where we highlight the visionary backers making the winter hackathon possible!

Each sponsor brings a unique perspective and a commitment to supporting the hackathon's brightest minds. Today, we’re excited to introduce **DeDust**, a Title sponsor helping developers make their mark on the TON ecosystem.

DeDust’s journey began with a pivotal moment — a victory at their first TON hackathon, which propelled them from an ambitious group to one of TON’s most influential DeFi platforms. DeDust has expanded its scope beyond being a DEX and is now a robust DeFi hub that offers developers advanced tools and a thriving platform to unleash their creativity. Through their hackathon sponsorship, DeDust aims to allow aspiring developers to explore their protocol and showcase the possibilities on TON.

### **Could you introduce your project/entity? What motivated you to TITLE sponsor the TON Hackers League Hackathon this year?**

The first TON hackathon we won marked a turning point for DeDust.io. It accelerated our transformation from a "group of enthusiasts" into real builders, eventually evolving into one of the most popular protocols in the TON ecosystem. This sponsorship is our way of giving back, helping independent enthusiasts grow into larger, impactful projects.

### **Please share any specific goals or outcomes you hope to achieve through this hackathon.**

Our primary goal is to introduce more developers to the DeDust protocol. DeDust is not just a DEX — it’s a comprehensive DeFi platform designed for others to build upon. With our upcoming release, we’ll provide developers with unprecedented opportunities, and the hackathon is an excellent way to showcase these new capabilities and engage a broader audience.

### **How do these goals align with your organization’s broader mission and innovation strategy?**

Our mission is to equip the community with reliable, scalable, innovative DeFi tools. While we drive many innovations internally, we empower talented developers to leverage our solutions and build on our platform.

### **What kind of support, such as workshops, will you provide for participants in this track? And what kind of rewards will you offer for winners in this track?**

We’re taking a unique approach by offering a “secret workshop” for participants in our sponsored track. While details are still under wraps, it’s all about delivering in-depth guidance and expert insights tailored to developers.

### **Will you further support the winners in your track after the hackathon? Are there any plans you can share at this time?**

DeDust is committed to supporting the winners well beyond the Hackathon. Winners will gain access to developer chats and a one-on-one mentorship session with a DeDust founder, who will provide personalized guidance as they build their DeFi projects.

Plus, there’s a total of $60,000 in $DUST prizes up for grabs — with top prizes of $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively — giving winners not only a financial boost but also the expertise they need to succeed on the DeDust platform.

Participants can join our dev chats for additional support:

- https://t.me/dedust_dev_chat
- https://t.me/dedust_dev

Hackers League Sponsor Series | DeDust Transforms DeFi Development on TON

The Hackers League Sponsor Series acknowledges our outstanding sponsors, whose considerable support has been crucial in the creation of the Hackathon. We thank all the sponsors who back the talented individuals competing for victory and cash prizes. The series delves into sponsors' expectations for developers and provides tips for successful projects.

Today’s article highlights **AEON**, a Hackers League’s Title Sponsor focused on simplifying Web3 payments. AEON is a next-gen modular payment protocol developing a multi-chain PayFi standard to support various developer monetization strategies. As a key supporter, AEON sponsors the **GameFi & Onboarding** and **Payments** track at the Hacker League.

In addition, TON Society has joined as a partner in the [GameOn TON Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/game-on-ton-hackathon/detail) to bring in outstanding projects and provide support to bolster the event outreach. Hosted by AEON, Oak Grove Venture, Nomad Capital, The Open Network (TON) Foundation, and TOP, this collaboration aims to attract top talent, stimulate innovation, and accelerate the growth of Web3 game development on the TON platform, while also promoting the adoption of AEON’s payment protocol.

AEON seeks innovations in onboarding, payment models like subscriptions, and solutions enhancing financial functionality, including cross-chain liquidity and automated payments. Through the Hackathon, AEON aims to encourage developers to integrate their advanced payment API into projects, enabling broader adoption within the TON ecosystem.

### **Could you share more about the track you are sponsoring? What specific opportunities or innovations are you hoping to see in this track?**

We’re proud to support the GameFi & Onboarding and AEON Payment tracks. Our core drive is AEON’s mission to simplify crypto payments and broaden monetization opportunities for developers on the TON network, ultimately attracting more mass crypto adoption.

In the GameFi track, we’re excited to see innovations in smooth onboarding and monetization models utilizing the AEON API, including in-game purchases like pre-auth transactions and subscriptions. For the AEON payment track, we’re looking forward to new approaches in all verticals (Defi/Infra/SocialFi, etc.) to streamline crypto payments and enhance financial functionalities, such as automated payments, cross-chain liquidity, yield generation, and more.

### **What kind of support, such as workshops, will you provide for participants in this track? And what kind of rewards will you offer for winners in this track?**

We’ll host online AMA and workshops to showcase our product, guide participants through AEON’s features, and address any technical questions developers may have. To provide further support, we’ll establish a GitHub page where developers can post specific questions and receive continuous assistance from our team.

All participants in the gaming track are also invited to join the GameOn TON Hackathon (https://aeon.xyz/gameon) for a chance to win prizes totaling up to 6 million. We’ll offer grants and potential investment opportunities as rewards for winners in this track. We welcome all the gaming enthusiasts to join the hackathon at https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/game-on-ton-hackathon/detail.

For participants in other verticals besides gaming, we’ll provide investment opportunities and industry resources ranging from technical, community, and adoptions to exchange listings.

### **What factors must be addressed for startups working within your sponsored track when considering market fit? Why are the projects selected in this track important for TON?**

We believe payments are central to achieving mass adoption for any technology. Just as Visa facilitates cross-border retail, PayPal drives e-commerce, and Google Pay/Apple Pay fuels mobile app growth, establishing a robust payment model is essential for widespread adoption on TON. Participants in our track should focus on clear monetization strategies and recognize the critical role of payments in building a sustainable and thriving ecosystem.

Startups should prioritize user adoption with revenue potential, emphasizing easy onboarding and a sustainable business model rooted in a seamless payment experience.

We see GameFi as an important driver of TON adoption, as it showcases practical use cases and provides effective monetization strategies for developers. However, other verticals, including SocialFi, e-commerce, and DeFi, are also promising areas within this track. Teams with strong technical skills and a dedicated focus on user experience are best positioned to make a lasting impact on the TON ecosystem.

### **Will you further support the winners in your track after the hackathon? Are there any plans you can share at this time?**

Leveraging our extensive network of VCs, exchanges, and the broader Web3 industry, we will support the project’s growth after the hackathon, providing assistance with investments, exchange partnerships, community building, marketing and PR, technical mentorship, and more.

### **Stay tuned**

Stay tuned for the next article in our series highlighting the Hackathon sponsors. Owing in part to their financial and technical support, this year's Hackathon is the largest ever, featuring a prize pool of over $3 million and IRL bootcamps in 19 cities worldwide, including London, Astana, Warsaw, and more.

Learn more about AEON and follow their development through [X](https://twitter.com/AEON_Community), [Telegram](https://t.me/aeon_xyz), or visiting [AEON](https://aeon.xyz/).

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

Hackers League Sponsor Series | AEON Drives Forward GameFi Onboarding with Payment Solution



Looking to level up your stake in the TON ecosystem? The Open League’s $1.2 million airdrop campaigns offer an exciting opportunity for the TON community to claim rewards for doing what you already love—exploring TON mini apps and NFTs, trading, and experimenting with DeFi. Whether you're a Degen or a fresh-faced normie, this is your chance to dive headfirst into TON, back the hottest projects, and maybe, just maybe, walk away with a stack of TON coins!

The Open League airdrop is a chance to showcase your skills, optimize your liquidity, and engage with protocols shaping the future of decentralized finance.

Ready to get started?

Let's break down how you can maximize your rewards and boost your chances of success.

## **Normie Airdrop: Claim your share of $1,000,000 rewards**

The **Normie Airdrop** is the perfect opportunity for those who want to get started with minimal effort. The Open League Season 6 offers $1,000,000 in airdrops to active participants. Here’s how you can get a slice of that:

### **Step 1: [Request your Normie badge](https://t.me/ton_society_bot/start?startapp=7102703fb3fa02021f31275f671cf59d_af805576fbf1c3aa1891f62619c0fc1d&mode=compact)**

The Normie badge is your golden ticket. Without it, you won’t qualify for the airdrop. Head to the Open League portal and request your badge to join the campaign.

### **Step 2: [Engage with two App League projects](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects)**

After securing your badge, you must interact with at least two projects from the App League. There are multiple options to choose from—games, NFT marketplaces, launchpads—you name it. Simply transact with these projects to begin building your score. Pro tip: holding their tokens or NFTs might give you an extra edge.

 ![App League.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/App_League_c20b2a680f/App_League_c20b2a680f.png) 

### **Step 3: Discover DeFi**

Exploring decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms is essential for those eyeing the big rewards. To accumulate points, focus on trading and providing liquidity in TON protocols.

You can:

- Provide liquidity on [bemo](https://t.me/bemo_finance_bot), [Tonstakers](https://t.me/tonstakers_bot), [STON.fi](http://ston.fi/), [DeDust](https://t.me/dedustBot), and [Storm Trade](https://t.me/StormTradeBot)
- Borrow on [Evaa](https://t.me/EvaaAppBot)
- Trade on [STON.fi](http://ston.fi/), [DeDust](https://t.me/dedustBot), and [Storm Trade](https://t.me/StormTradeBot)

### **Step 4: [Grab some NFTs](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects)**

NFTs from the NFT League are another way to increase your Normie score. Pick up your favorite NFTs and enjoy the benefits they bring.

 ![NFTs.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/NF_Ts_8ba2c641e3/NF_Ts_8ba2c641e3.png) 

### **Step 5: Hold key assets**

Want extra points? Hold **Toncoin**, projects’ jettons and NFTs, **TON DNS**, **Telegram usernames**, or **Anonymous numbers**. Owning these assets will contribute to your final score.

### **Now, major Alpha tips to maximize your Normie score**

- **Tip 1**: Thoroughly performing Step 3 in the instruction above can give you good leverage in the Normie airdrop. DeFi users are always cherished most!
- **Tip 2**: Providing liquidity into the boosted pools on STON.fi/DeDust will earn you Toncoin and Jettons on top of extra points for your Normie score! Ten pools are now boosted with $1.6M+ in Toncoin and project tokens. Explore the pairs with TON and the following tokens: [$NOT](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQCaY8Ifl2S6lRBMBJeY35LIuMXPc8JfItWG4tl7lBGrSoR2),  [$JETTON](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQATnq6W2xv10C19LNlC26xFtTV1fbzMkXmXQCWHqtv6Okf7), [$TONG](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQCHIo1dchiZfonXjtKdzbHTOKZ1MojSxUG00-0EO4bTbYKI), [$WALL](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQAI2oFhkFupg6tHRpKwxbVNQbHwuD7HlSCkHD6vi2V--8_0), [$PUNK](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQARmtrqsIf8-lk9bH8ISV_UCsG8kS3iHzC7bV8ssQAi4pvw), [$REGI](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQD54uVMibZPAdHdoA_vcTDFmFLfEnlJ5SEgu4vDiFpTzdnr), [$HYDRA](https://dedust.io/pools/EQBF-YYoDy6ue0J4K-v5L_HYzwWCLpwXSLsTFmT7hr2uqHf5), [$COFE](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQDsMul-_xm99ien8PGbIg5BDBNhwI_RJAfzx8yxjZDiNgCA), [$DMT](https://dedust.io/pools/EQBTbu-Q5sOShpEXfEUAq9lL378Fog2DdVcem8mebNND_lsf), and [$MY.](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQCg7UmVi2VBa2s44bHsj-E7eOdPPXMolEE_fVl8pklGF6KJ)

The deadline for accumulating your Normie score is **November 6th**. Hurry up and maximize your score before the campaign ends!

## **Degen Airdrop: Compete for $200,000 in rewards**

If you have a higher risk and reward appetite, the **Degen Airdrop** is for you. It offers a $200,000 prize pool across two squads—the **Volume Squad** and the **TVL Team**.

Thanks to eager Degen airdrop hunters, over $6.2 million has already flowed into these protocols and over $90M in trading volume has been generated.

### **1. How to receive a share of the $200k degen airdrop**

[**Get your Degen Badge](https://society.ton.org/degen-airdrop) -** Before joining the action, you’ll need a Degen Badge. It acts as your all-access pass to the Degen Airdrop. Without the badge, you’ll receive no rewards.

[**Provide a minimum of $200 liquidity**](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects)—Next, provide at least $200 liquidity into any TVL Squad protocol. Note that if you withdraw the liquidity before the season ends, it won’t be counted.

 ![TVL Squad.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/TVL_Squad_56bab4b22a/TVL_Squad_56bab4b22a.png) 

**Trade to Reach at Least $1,000 in Volume** - Alongside providing liquidity, trade in the Volume Squad’s projects to achieve a total volume of at least $1,000.

 ![TVL Volume.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/TVL_Volume_c7d44218fe/TVL_Volume_c7d44218fe.png) 

After completing the above steps, wait until the end of the season to receive your rewards.

### **2. Meet the projects of TVL and Volume Squad**

The [TVL Squad](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects#:~:text=prizes%20for%20themselves.-,TVL%20Squad,-%24100%2C000%20prize%20pool) [](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects)and [Volume Squad](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects#:~:text=from%C2%A0Github%20source-,Volume%20Squad,-%24100%2C000%20prize%20pool) offer additional rewards beyond the Degen Airdrop. Here’s a quick look at what they have in store:

**TVL Squad projects:**

- **Hipo**: Stake your TON and earn rewards with their governance token, $HPO.
- **Tonstakers**: Earn up to 450% APR by staking xRocket, Fanton, Jetton, Ton Punks, STON.fi and Pavel Durev’s tokens.
- **DAOLama**: Top 10 liquidity providers get free loan promo codes.
- **TON Hedge**: Participate in options trading and earn boosted rewards.
- **Parraton**: Earn points through referrals and complete quests.
- **SettleTON**: Boost your APY up to 120% with a one-click reinvestment.
- **TonPools**: No-loss staking pool with prize-linked rewards.
- **JVault**: The Staking platform offers exclusive XP points and special SBT rewards.
- **Aqua Protocol: Offers fixed-fee borrowing on TON and mints AquaUSD, a 200% over-collateralized stablecoin backed by LST and LP Andrea.**
- **TonStable***

**Volume Squad projects:**

- **Tradoor**: Trade with leverage and earn $DOOR tokens for your first trades.
- **GasPump**: Incentivizes developers to create new tokens, boosting trading volume.
- **Rainbow Swap**: Aggregates liquidity for better pricing and rewards new users with bonus points.
- **TON Diamonds**: Exchange tokens on this DeFi platform and win a share of $5,000 in GLINT coins.

### **Maximize Your Rewards: Tips and Strategies**

To make the most of both the **Normie** and **Degen** airdrops, consider the following strategies:

1. **Focus on DeFi**
2. **Engage Early**: Don’t wait until the last minute to accumulate points. The earlier you engage with these projects, the more opportunities you have to increase your score.
3. **Diversify**: Spread your trades and liquidity across multiple projects to maximize your chances of earning rewards.
4. **Keep an eye on additional incentives**: Many projects offer bonuses and incentives that can significantly boost your earnings. Be sure to take advantage of these.

With so much at stake, now is the time to jump into the action. The Open League’s Degen airdrop campaign ends on **October 30,** while the Normie campaign is live until **November 6**, so don’t miss out!

Get started by claiming your Normie and Degen badges today!

<button href="https://ton.org/open-league" passutmsource="true">
 CLAIM NOW
</button >


How to Score Big in The Open League’s $1.2M Airdrops: A Guide to Winning

Welcome to the **Hackers League Sponsor Series**.

The Hackers League series acknowledges our incredible sponsors, whose contributions have made the event possible. Owing in part to their financial and technical support, this year's Hackathon is the largest ever, featuring a prize pool of over $3 million and IRL bootcamps in 20 cities worldwide, including London, Astana, Warsaw, Hongkong, Bangkok and more.

We greatly appreciate all the sponsors who support the creative minds competing for victory and financial rewards. The Hackers League Sponsor Series explores what sponsors seek in developers and offers tips for project success.

The first sponsor we'll highlight in our series is **Gate Ventures**, a **Title Sponsor**. Gate Ventures is a proud Gaming and Mini Apps track sponsor that aims to ignite creativity and innovation in Web3 gaming. The venture capital arm of Gates.io is seeking developers who can leverage their support to showcase the significant influence of blockchain technology.

Beyond mini apps, Gates Ventures is also excited about the potential of TON’s gaming ecosystem. TON’s high throughput enables real-time multiplayer games, cross-platform experiences and more complex gaming models, addressing performance limitations in Web3 gaming. Their involvement in the Gaming and Mini Apps track strengthens the hackathon's potential to build on existing Web3 ideas and uncover new ones.

### **Could you introduce your entity? What motivated you to TITLE sponsor the TON Hackers League Hackathon this year?**

[Gate Ventures](https://ventures.gate.io/) is the venture capital arm of  [Gate.io](http://gate.io/), one of the world’s largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, specializing in early-stage investments in blockchain technology and digital assets. Our mission is to drive innovation and foster growth across the global blockchain ecosystem. By collaborating with industry leaders worldwide, we support visionary teams and startups that have the potential to reshape social and financial interactions. As a long-term investor, we are committed to offering comprehensive support to our portfolio companies, from product development and operational scaling to global expansion. Follow Gate Ventures on [X](https://x.com/gate_ventures) for more updates.

Our primary goals for this hackathon are to foster innovation in the gaming and mini-apps space with TON and discover emerging talent. By sponsoring this track, Gate Ventures aims to support the development of cutting-edge projects that have the potential to drive the Web3 ecosystem forward. We’re also looking to build long-term relationships with developers and startups, offering them resources and guidance to bring their ideas to market.

### **Could you share more about the track you are sponsoring? What specific opportunities or innovations are you hoping to see in this track?**

The development of TON Mini Apps can offer users more convenient experiences in areas such as social interactions, payments, entertainment, and various business and personal services. These seamlessly integrated apps not only enhance the usability of decentralized applications but also accelerate the adoption and penetration of Web3 technologies.

Gate Ventures is committed to supporting the development of innovative applications, and we hope to discover promising projects through this hackathon. Ultimately, we aim to make TON Mini Apps an indispensable part of everyday life.

In addition to mini apps, we are also excited about the diverse potential within the TON gaming ecosystem, from simple casual games and strategy-heavy competitive games to immersive virtual worlds. TON’s high throughput makes real-time multiplayer games, cross-platform experiences, and more complex gaming models feasible, overcoming the performance limitations that Web3 games have faced in the past.

### **What kind of support, such as workshops, will you provide for participants in this track? And what kind of rewards will you offer for winners in this track?**

Gate Ventures will provide workshops on the following course content.

1. Gate Ventures & Gate Ecosystem: Driving Innovation and Adoption
2. Gate.io CeFi Mini App, Wallet Mini App introduction
3. As Gate Ventures perspective how to:
    1. Crafting Compelling Business Plans
    2. Business Model
    3. Technology and Innovation
    4. Roadmap
    5. Competitive Analysis
    6. Team Background
    7. Financial Projections
    8. Tokenomics
    9. Call to Action

Gate Ventures will provide a $20,000 grant for the Top 3 projects and set aside $500,000 as soft commitments for funding selected projects in the overall hackathon.

1. $10,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
2. $8,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
3. $2,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits

### **What factors must be addressed for startups working within your sponsored track when considering market fit? Why are the projects selected in this track important for TON?**

Projects should illustrate their potential to transform the gaming industry through innovative blockchain integration, highlighting distinctive features that set them apart from conventional gaming solutions. Additionally, they should incorporate considerations of scalability, robust tokenomics, and long-term user engagement. What will we be looking for: GameFi, Game Studio and Mini apps on TON

**Qualifying requirements:**

**Strategic Alignment:** Projects must align with Gate’s strategic goals, including fostering innovation, enhancing community engagement through Gate’s CEFI and Mini Apps, potential integration with Gate wallet and contributing to the overall growth of the Gate ecosystem. Clear articulation of how the project supports these goals is essential.

**Minimum Viable Product (MVP):** Participants should have developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that effectively showcases their concept. The MVP should be functional and user-friendly, allowing judges to evaluate the project's core features.

**Tokenomics and Blockchain Gaming Value Accrual Mechanism:** Participants should demonstrate a solid understanding of blockchain gaming principles. This includes presenting a comprehensive project plan that outlines the game's mechanics, tokenomics design, reasonable vesting schedules and value accrual flywheel

**Monetization Model:** A clear and viable monetization model should be presented, illustrating how the project will generate revenue while providing value to users. This could involve in-game purchases, subscription models, or unique blockchain-based economic structures.

### **Will you further support the winners in your track after the hackathon? Are there any plans you can share at this time?**

Gate Ventures will not only provide bounty and capital; projects from our Gaming & Mini Apps hackathon track can also leverage Gate’s resources to become official partners in the Tonvibe 2024 Task2Earn campaign. This collaboration will enhance user acquisition and engagement within the Gate ecosystem.

### **Finally, what message would you like to leave with the developers and startups participating in the TON Hackers League Hackathon?**

At Gate Ventures, we believe that innovation happens when visionary teams are empowered to push boundaries. To developers and startups, TON Hackers League hackathon is an opportunity to shape the future of Web3. We encourage you to take risks, collaborate, and create solutions that can transform industries. Gate Ventures is here to support your journey, and we look forward to seeing the incredible ideas you'll bring to life.

You can learn more about Gate Ventures and follow our updates by following us on [X](https://x.com/gate_ventures) or visiting [Gate Ventures](https://www.gate.io/ventures).

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

Hackers League Sponsor Series | Gate Ventures

[TON Memelandia](https://ton.org/en/memelandia) is excited to announce the launch of two memecoin competitions with a total reward pool of **$1,250,000.**

Memecoins are fuelling this crypto cycle, and the TON ecosystem with its access to almost 1 billion Telegram users has much to offer for memecoin producers, traders and communities. Exciting battles on TON Memelandia are a way to support memecoin growth by creating an open competition for memecoin projects and attracting degens and normies to join a fair fight and stay in the ecosystem.

To create a robust and thriving land reigned by memes, TON Memelandia has designed two battles that will **begin in the last week of October and last four weeks.**

In the epic Cabal Arena, Cabals, consisting of traders and memecoin producers, will battle to release influential memecoins on TON pump.fun-style launchpads, launch on DEXs and increase their market cap to hundreds of millions. The top performers have a chance to win a reward pool of $750,000.

On Memecoin Mountain, TON memecoin communities will compete in a fierce fight to reach the peak. The memes with the best trading volume, market cap, diamond hands, holder growth, and community engagement will receive up to $500,000 in community airdrops, liquidity injections, Telegram ads credits and KOL boosts.

 ![Screenshot 2024-10-18 at 09.16.35.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Screenshot_2024_10_18_at_09_16_35_035850fc08/Screenshot_2024_10_18_at_09_16_35_035850fc08.png)
###### *Screenshot was taken from The Open League Token Battle to reflect the leaderboard idea. The actual Memecoin Mountain leaderboard will not be identical.*
Cabal Arena and Memecoin Mountain are expected to help the TON ecosystem boost trading volume and liquidity, accelerate the launch of new successful memecoins and help memecoin communities achieve long-term, sustainable and robust growth.

[Read more about TON Memelandia](https://blog.ton.org/exploring-ton-memelandia).

## **1. Cabal Arena**

### **What is Cabal Arena?**

[Cabal Arena](https://cabal-arena.fun/) is a mysterious battlefield where teams of memecoin producers and traders called Cabals compete for large prizes during the four weeks of active competition. Each Cabal has up to 100 members and a strong leader who deploys up to four memecoins on whitelisted bonding curve launchpads and coordinates their team efforts in trading theirs and other teams’ memecoins.

The Cabal performance is shown on the leaderboard, updated in real-time.

### **Who can participate?**

**Token producers:** Skilled memecoin producers can form and lead teams (Cabals), deploying memecoins for their Cabal to trade and coordinating the actions of team members.

To form a Cabal, the leader must hold at least 42 TON from the application date until the end of the competition.

**Traders:** Active meme token traders are invited to join a team (Cabal) and compete with others for the best score and thus the biggest prize. To become part of a team, the trader can use an invite link, apply for an invite code or submit a request to join the preferred Cabal.

**Community:** Users not taking part in any team are welcome to join the Cabal Arena to search for new memecoins, trade them along with competing teams and ultimately join new meme communities on TON.

### **Rules**

- Each Team (Cabal) consists of up to 100 members (wallet addresses). The Cabal Leader creates a group, registers deploy addresses, fills in ten initial trading addresses (of closest allies) and is given 90 invite codes to distribute across the community. Once all 90 codes are used, the group stops accepting new members.
- The Cabal Leader must create a Telegram chat to coordinate the team's trading activity. Upon joining the Cabal, each team member automatically receives an invite.
- Throughout the battle, each team can launch up to four meme coins on the whitelisted bonding curve launchpads:
    - [GasPump](https://t.me/gasPump_bot)
    - [BigPump by Pocket.fi](https://t.me/pocketfi_bot/bigpump?startapp=terror240_8242)
    - [TONPump by HOT Wallet](https://t.me/herewalletbot/app?startapp=hotpump)
    - [Blum](https://t.me/BlumCryptoBot)
    - [Wagmi](https://t.co/sbwIypO1Wj)
- Only memecoins launched from the Cabal Leader's registered deploy addresses are considered.
- Only memecoins launched by participating teams during the season are taken into account.
- Participants trade both their own and others teams’ memecoins.
- Memecoins launched by Cabals appear in the dashboard only upon reaching a particular volume or after 72 hours since the deployment.
- The battle lasts for four weeks.
- Ten teams will share the final prize pool, distributed between the Cabal Leader (10%) and 10-20 best-performing team members (90%).
- If no team outperforms the market maker, all prizes will be awarded according to the final rankings without doubling. This ensures that all participants will receive rewards based on their performance, regardless of whether they beat the market maker's benchmark.
- Market makers' involvement extends beyond setting benchmarks. Some act as mentors, offering their expertise to assist teams in improving their strategies and potentially beating the benchmark.
- If you're a professional market maker interested in participating as a benchmark setter or a mentor, please reach out to @tonmemelandia2024 on Telegram.

### **How are the results calculated?**

The Scoring System consists of two scores:

1. The **individual score** is determined by considering PnL, trading volumes, and weighted contributions from both their own and other teams' memecoin trades.

 ![image.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_245a3c1742/image_245a3c1742.png)

**2. Cabal Score** is a composite ranking of:

1. Finding the average of the team's (Cabal) top 10 individual scores.
2. The combined trading volumes (in TON) of the team's top three memecoins.
3. The combined market capitalization (in TON) of the team's top three memecoins.

**3. Multipliers and Bonuses**

- **Token multiplier:** Rewards based on the market capitalization of memecoins.
- **Wallet activity multiplier:** Bonus for engaging over 100/500/1000 active* TON wallets (*at least one swap during the last two months).
- **Narrative multiplier:** This is a bonus for creating memecoins with strong narratives (e.g., digital resistance, etc.). A new narrative will be introduced at the beginning of each battle week.

### **How is the reward pool distributed?**

Ten winning teams will share the maximum prize pool of $750,000, which will be distributed between the Cabal Leader (10%) and 10-20 best-performing team members (90%).

The final prize pool is milestone-based and will depend on the total trading volume of all memecoins launched throughout the competition, generated by the participating teams and the community.

- Milestone 1: $150,000,000 - Prize Pool: **$350,000**
- Milestone 2: $250,000,000 - Prize Pool: **$400,000**
- Milestone 3: $400,000,000 - Prize Pool: **$500,000**
- Milestone 4: $500,000,000 - Prize Pool: **$600,000**

| **Team rank** | **Prize Share** | **Prize in USD** | **Leader (10%)** | **Top 5 addresses** | **Next 5 addresses** | **Last 10 addresses** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 25% | $125,000 | $12,500 | $6,750 | $5,625 | $4,500 |
| 2 | 18% | $90,000 | $9,000 | $4,860 | $4,050 | $3,240 |
| 3 | 12% | $60,000 | $6,000 | $3,240 | $2,700 | $2,160 |
| 4 | 9% | $45,000 | $4,500 | $2,430 | $2,025 | $1,620 |
| 5 | 8% | $40,000 | $4,000 | $2,160 | $1,800 | $1,440 |
| 6 | 7% | $35,000 | $3,500 | $1,890 | $1,575 | $1,260 |
| 7 | 6% | $30,000 | $3,000 | $1,620 | $1,350 | $1,080 |
| 8 | 5% | $25,000 | $2,500 | $1,350 | $1,125 | $900 |
| 9 | 5.00% | $25,000 | $2,500 | $1,350 | $1,125 | $900 |
| 10 | 5.00% | $25,000 | $2,500 | $1,350 | $1,125 | $900 |

Additionally, if a team exceeds the performance of a professional market-maker, their prize is doubled, allowing for a maximum prize pool of $750,000.

### **How to apply?**

Sign up for the [Cabal Arena](https://cabal-arena.fun/) and select one of three options: creating a new team, becoming a Cabal Leader, or joining an existing one. In order to register, participants must submit a wallet address for trading purposes.

Applications will close seven days before the battle finale.

### **How to prepare?**

Ahead of the start of the battle, Cabal Leaders are advised to build strong teams by sharing their invite code and exploring the existing trading tooling available in the [Memecoin Armery](https://ton.org/en/memelandia). The community is invited to prepare to explore and exchange new gems on TON.

### **Disclaimer & Support**

Please be aware that the content above is subject to change throughout and after the competition.

If you are having issues registering, please reach out to @tonmemelandia2024 on Telegram.

By participating in the battle in the Cabal Arena, you represent and warrant that you are of legal age to form a binding contract and meet all of the foregoing eligibility requirements. You further represent that you are not a citizen, resident, or member of any jurisdiction or group that is subject to economic sanctions or where your participation would be illegal or otherwise violate any applicable law, and you will complete any applicable KYC requirements as requested. You further represent that your participation will fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations and that you will not conduct, promote, or otherwise facilitate any illegal activity. If you do not meet all of these requirements, your participation will be disqualified. 

## **2. Memecoin Mountain**

### **What is Memecoin Mountain?**

The Battle on Meme Mountain is a four-week competition of TON memecoin communities competing to showcase their best performance for the chance to win big airdrops and other prizes. Performances are monitored on the leaderboard and ranked based on a criteria including trading volume, market cap, diamond hands, holder growth, community engagement. Depending on the market capitalization, tokens will be divided into the Major and Minor Leagues.

### **Who can participate?**

- **Memecoins** willing to join the battle and appear on the leaderboard will need to comply with the following criteria:
     - Market cap > **$100,000**
    - Average Daily Trading Volume > **$5,000** during seven days prior to the application time.
    - Unique Token Holders > **1,000**
    - Have a fair launch

Depending on their Market Cap by the time of applying, applicants will be split into the **Major** (>$1M) and **Minor Leagues** ($100k < x < $1M).

🔥Memecoins that originated from the Cabal Arena battle and meet the entry criteria are invited to join Memecoin Mountain.

- **Traders and whales** can actively trade memecoins to receive an airdrop at the season's end.
- **Key opinion leaders** are welcome to promote the participating memecoins on their social media to earn a higher social score for the upcoming airdrop and trade memes with their community to increase their final reward further.

### **How are the results calculated?**

The rank of each memecoin in the leaderboard depends on a comprehensive set of on and off-chain metrics:

- **Trading volume and market cap:** How much trading activity and recurrent trading activity the memecoins can generate within a season. And how their trading volume compares to the circulating market cap.
- **Holder growth & diamond hands:** Tracking the change in holders over time and the proportion of wallets that hold the token continuously.
- **Community engagement:** Measuring the off-chain community engagement of the memecoin project on Twitter.

More details and formulas can be found here: https://hackmd.io/@barsiketh/meme-mountain

### **How is the reward pool distributed?**

There will be two types of prizes for the winning memecoins: 

- Community airdrops
- Marketing prizes: KOL boost (Major League only) and Telegram Ads credits

The final prize pool for community airdrops and liquidity injections is milestone-based and will depend on the total volume generated from trading of all participating memecoins (e.g. reaching a $200 million total trading volume will unlock $150k in rewards).

The maximum prize pool for this battle’s winners amounts to **$500,000.**

Community airdrops will be given to holders, active traders and memecoin promoters that show high social engagement score.

Additionally, the winners will be eligible for a reward pool of marketing prizes, such as Telegram ads credits and KOL boosts, regardless of their trading volume.

### **Prize pool distribution**
| **Trading Volume Milestone** | **Total airdrop size** | **League** | **1st Place** | **2nd Place** | **3rd Place** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **$200 million** | $150,000 | **Major** | $45,000 | $30,000 | $15,000 |
|  |  | **Minor** | $37,500 | $22,500 | - |
| **$400 million** | $250,000 | **Major** | $75,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
|  |  | **Minor** | $62,500 | $37,500 | - |
| **$600 million** | $400,000 | **Major** | $120,000 | $80,000 | $40,000 |
|  |  | **Minor** | $100,000 | $60,000 | - |
| **$800 million** | $500,000 | **Major** | $150,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 |
|  |  | **Minor** | $125,000 | $75,000 | - |


### **How to get an airdrop?**

The Major League's top 3 memecoin communities and the Minor League's top 2 memecoin communities will be rewarded with airdrops.

To receive an airdrop, community members are encouraged to hold and actively trade participating memecoins and promote them on social media to increase their social engagement scores.

More details can be found here: https://hackmd.io/@barsiketh/meme-mountain

### **How to apply?**

Memecoins communities are welcome to apply on [TONResearch](https://tonresear.ch/t/about-the-memecoin-mountain-category/38395). The TON Memecoin Working Group will process the submissions shortly and announce their decision in the comments. The accepted memecoins will be invited to the TON Memelandia GANG (secret chat of TON memes) and will be added to the leaderboard at the start (or shortly after the start) of the competition.

Applications will close seven days prior to the end of the battle.

### **How to prepare?**

Memecoin communities should gear up and activate their forces. Explore the available tooling in the [Memecoin Armery](https://ton.org/en/memelandia), set up a marketing plan, create educational materials for newcomers and be ready for four weeks of active trading and community engagement!

### **Disclaimer & Support**

Please be aware that any content mentioned above might change before, during or after the competition.

If you are facing issues when registering, please reach out to @tonmemelandia2024 on Telegram.

**Let the memecoin games begin.**

TON Memelandia Launches $1.25M Memecoin Battles

We’re thrilled to announce the Hackers League, a global hackathon designed to showcase the talents of developers, founders and hackers worldwide. It is more than a competition: the Hackers League is an opportunity for the brightest minds in the blockchain space to bring their ideas to life, all while competing for millions in prizes. With a prize pool of $1.4 million and an additional $2.1 million in VC funding up for grabs, the opportunity on offer to participants is the chance to turn a concept into a fully funded startup.

### **An opportunity like no other for blockchain innovators**

The Hackers League provides the perfect platform for developers looking to make a real impact in the world of Web3. Participants will compete across five specialized tracks—including DeFi and GameFI—and will have just eight weeks to turn their initial ideas into fully functioning dApps. It promises to be an intense, fast-paced competition designed to challenge developers to push the limits of what blockchain technology can deliver to improve everyday life.

This hackathon builds on the success of our earlier initiative, the Open League, which took place during the summer and saw 3,000 participants and 1,000 project submissions entered. The Open League demonstrated the massive enthusiasm within the TON ecosystem and the wider blockchain community for creating practical, real-world applications that can help further the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology.

### **Fostering creativity, collaboration and innovation**

At TON, we believe in supporting the development of future blockchain leaders, which is why coding is only one aspect of the Hackers League. Our mission is to encourage creativity, innovation, and collaboration within our community. We are organizing over 20 in-person boot camps in 20 cities globally from September to December, coinciding with the end of the competition. All individuals who enter will have the opportunity to learn directly from TON ecosystem experts, collaborate with fellow developers, and connect with some of the best and brightest founders in the blockchain space. We are pretty confident that the practical experience participants will get from the Hacker League will not only sharpen their skills but also inspire them to explore possibilities for solving real-world problems through blockchain technology.

### **Backed by the biggest names in Web3**

We're proud to have some of the biggest names in the world of web3 backing the Hackers League. Our Title Sponsors include TON Apps, Gate Ventures, AEON, and DeDust. And if that wasn't impressive enough, our Diamond Sponsors include industry leaders such as GSR, ByBIt, Arkham, Adsgram, Curve, and Yescoin. With such powerhouses in support, participants have access to unrivaled expertise and resources. We are also fortunate to have the backing of capital partners like TON Ventures, Gate Ventures, MEXC Ventures, Kenetic Capital, and Foresight Ventures.

To ensure that project submissions are held to the very highest standards, our judging panel will feature experts from TON Foundation, TON Ventures, Pantera Capital, Curve Finance, and Foresight Ventures, among others.

> “The Hackers League is channeling the creation of a consumer app and turning it into a competitive sport”, said Jack Booth, co-founder of TON Society. “The goal of the competition is to guide an entrant from project concept to potential prize-winning and fully-funded Web3 startup in just eight weeks. This is by far our largest event and, as with previous events, plays a big role in uniting our community and bringing people together in person. We have had several developers meet their future co-founders at TON Society events, which is something that makes us very proud.”
> 

So, now that you know everything that you need to know, there’s only one question left: *are you ready to join the Hackers League?*

***For more information about Hackers League, how to participate, and event details, visit the website [here](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024).***

Are You Ready To Hack? Hackers League Offers a $3.5 Million Opportunity for Developers


Welcome to the next installment of the **TON Giants Series**.

What's among the best ways to understand the benefits of participating in the Hackers League Hackathon? Hearing it straight from those who have firsthand experience.

The TON Giants Series showcases exceptional teams from the Summer Hackathon who demonstrated their potential and left a lasting impact. By sharing their bootcamp and hackathon experiences, our TON Giants teams offer valuable insights for developers in the winter Hackathon.

The **next edition** in the TON Giants series highlights **Chick Coop**, the inaugural game in the TON Blockchain farming universe.

Chick Coop is building a unique SocialFi experience on TON blockchain, starting with a simple yet strategic farming game. It’s more than just a game—it’s the beginning of a SocialFi Gameverse. Chick Coop’s vision is to create a fun, easy-to-play game that encourages healthy competition among individuals and teams.

Players can click, hatch, and upgrade their way to victory in Chick Coop. The game is about tending to virtual farms and earning rewards through the **Play to Earn** Airdrop model. Players can receive mini-airdrops throughout their gameplay and enjoy a larger reward at the end of their farming journey.

Here’s what the team had to say about their Open League Summer Hackathon experience.

### **Can you start by introducing your team and sharing how you came together for the Summer Hackathon?**

We are a team with experience in the market dating back to 2017, having witnessed and participated in the DeFi and GameFi booms. We clearly see the current opportunities that TON and Telegram present, particularly in opening the doors of Web3 to 1 billion Telegram users and mobile users worldwide. From the moment we understood the vision behind TON and Telegram's mini-apps, we were fully convinced of their potential and committed ourselves 100% to this vision. That’s why we came together to participate in the Summer Hackathon—driven by our belief in TON's direction and the future it can unlock

Our team consists of experienced professionals across various fields within the blockchain and Game and apps sectors:

- CEO: With seven years of experience in cryptocurrency as both an investor and builder, our CEO previously led a successful AI project and venture in 2022.
- COO: Founded and scaled a mobile game/app studio to 200 employees and five subsidiaries since 2017, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
- CTO & CPO: Each has ten years of mobile gaming, AI, and blockchain expertise.
- CMO: Five years of experience in cryptocurrency, with a strong community-building and marketing background.

### **What initially motivated your team to participate in the TON Summer Hackathon, and what inspired the project that ultimately led to your win?**

Amidst numerous Layer 1 projects with similar money game ideas and fierce competition in a saturated market, TON stands out as a name with a distinct vision that offers real value to the entire Web3 industry. By integrating with Telegram, it opens the doors for all Telegram users and mobile users to seamlessly enter the Web3 space. We were deeply inspired from the moment we first learned about TON and decided to join immediately.

The journey through the Summer Hackathon was full of challenges. Our team faced numerous obstacles, such as having no prior experience building on mini-apps, using TON’s smart contracts, or marketing through Telegram Ads and TON’s ecosystem. However, thanks to the dedicated support from the TON Foundation and its team, we were able to understand the vision and worked tirelessly day and night. With 100% of our effort, we ultimately achieved victory. This was truly a milestone we will never forget in our journey.

### **For those of you who were new to the Summer Hackathon, how did your previous hackathon experiences influence your approach this time around?**

Previous hackathon experiences taught us the importance of clear goal setting, working with smart contracts, gaining a deeper understanding of the Telegram mini-app system, and utilizing the marketing tools available, as well as the support provided by the TON Foundation in building our project. These lessons allowed us to approach the next phase with a well-structured plan, efficiently dividing tasks and ensuring that we leveraged each team member's strengths while making the most of the resources from TON and Telegram. This experience also made us more resilient in overcoming time constraints and technical challenges

### **During the development process, what were some of the key challenges you faced while building on the TON blockchain, and how did you work through them?**

During the process of building on the TON Blockchain, we encountered challenges across multiple areas, including Marketing, Business Development, and Product.

**Marketing**: The user base on TON is completely different from what we had targeted before, so we couldn’t rely on our previous strategies and mindset for user acquisition. Additionally, the marketing tools on TON were still very new, some even just launched, so we had to simultaneously learn how to use these new tools, reach out to new users, and find ways to convert them into loyal users with fresh strategies.

**Business Development**: TON is a completely new space with new partners and projects, which meant we had to establish an entirely different working mechanism from what we were used to.

**Product**: TON and Telegram Mini Apps are new platforms, so our prior experience in building on other platforms wasn’t applicable here. We had to completely re-study the ecosystem in order to launch the best possible product that would resonate with the users on these platforms

### **Were there any particular tools or features on the TON blockchain that proved especially helpful in developing your project? What resources would you recommend future Hackers League entrants make the most of?**

We found that many tools on TON are both interesting and highly useful, but it’s crucial to learn how to use them correctly. Some notable examples include Adsgram, Telegram Ads, and Telegram App Center. All of these tools are definitely worth utilizing

### **Looking back, what was the most rewarding part of the Summer Hackathon for your team, and how do you think this experience has contributed to where your project is now?**

The most rewarding part was seeing our vision come to life and watching players interact with our game just as we had imagined. This truly gave us a strong momentum that continues to drive us forward to this day.

- Total Players now: around **4.5 million users**
- Monthly Active Users (MAU): **more than 1 million**

The community continuously contributes to the project, with thousands of messages each day. Currently, we’ve generated over **$1 million in revenue**, and our project is recognized as one of the most active and well-known on TON. We also benefit from top-tier ambassadors within the ecosystem, collectively reaching over **15 million followers and subscribers**.

The Summer Hackathon experience provided us with valuable feedback and allowed us to refine our project. It brought us closer to launching the SocialFi Gameverse on the TON Blockchain, with Chick Coop as the starting point. The Hackathon also opened doors for collaborations and networking within the TON community, which has been crucial for our ongoing development

### **Finally, what advice would you give to those looking to participate in the upcoming Hackers League Hackathon?**

Our advice is to build on TON with creative solutions. However, it’s also important to stay aligned with TON's vision to ensure a positive synergy between your project and the TON Foundation.

Collaboration is key, so make sure to communicate effectively within your team and with the Ton community.

Lastly, be prepared for challenges but embrace them as learning opportunities—they can push your project to new heights.

Find out more about Chicken Coop on their official pages:

[Website](https://chickcoop.io/) | [Telegram](https://t.me/chickcoop_announcement) | [X](https://x.com/chickcoop_io)

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

##

TON Giants: Chick Coop

There’s something about learning in person that just sticks. When you’re physically present, working on a project with peers, things click faster. In a space with like-minded people, all focusing on the same goal.

Offline bootcamps offer an immersive, hands-on experience. Unlike online learning, where you just watch videos, with in-person interactions, you can experiment and apply your knowledge in real-time, bringing the excitement to the next level.

### **Meeting your mentors**
Developers often find that offline bootcamps are better for improving their skills. The reason? You’re in the same room as your mentors. You receive immediate feedback to understand blockchain concepts better and faster. Got a question? You ask it and receive an answer right away, maybe even a special hint.

Offline hackathons are also essential for expanding TON's ecosystem by bringing together developers from different backgrounds. Skills grow naturally through hands-on collaboration, and teams and friendships often start.

The bootcamps proved their worth during the Summer Hackathon, attracting over **2,000 hackers from 350 projects**, with **15 of our 28 finalists** and winners coming from these workshops. Despite limited preparation time, bootcamp teams formed during the offline workshops delivered incredible results.

[**APPLY NOW**](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024)

## **Offline bootcamps vs Online learning: What works best?**

While both learning methods are valuable, they deliver blockchain and Web3 concepts differently. Let's take a look at Offline bootcamp’s benefits:

### **Building authentic connections**

While online learning offers convenience (you don’t have to move from your desk) it lacks the personal touch offline events bring. In-person bootcamps allow developers to build deeper relationships and gain soft skills for team cooperation, elevating the challenge meaningfully.

Think of it like this: online, your interaction with others is mostly through Slack channels or emails. It’s functional but distant. Offline, you talk face-to-face, share ideas, and learn from each other personally, beyond data.

Networking at offline bootcamps can open doors you didn’t even know existed. You might meet someone who becomes your collaborator, mentor, or business partner. The relationships you build in these settings often last long after the event ends.

### **Tackling problems as they happen: Real-time learning in bootcamps**

Another advantage of offline bootcamps is the immediate problem-solving opportunities they offer. You might post a question in online courses and wait hours or days for a response.

But in an offline setting, mentors are there with you. If you hit a snag, you get help on the spot. You also benefit from group problem-solving, where you and your peers tackle challenges together.

The immediate feedback loop is invaluable, especially for developers working on complex problems. You don’t just get theoretical answers; you receive practical solutions you can apply immediately.

### **Win the Hackathon: Build your dream team at the bootcamp**

Hackathons are one of the best ways to learn by doing, and offline bootcamps can be a great place to form your team before the hackathon starts. When meeting someone in person, you can quickly determine if you have a good working dynamic. You can establish trust, brainstorm ideas, and start working on your project together before the event.

With the Hackers League Hackathon soon starting, you can use our offline bootcamps as a place to form your team and stand a chance to win the $5,000 prize pool for each city. You can also escalate your projects to the main hackathon for a chance at the $2 million prize pool.

## **Hackers League Hackathon: A $3M opportunity for developers and founders**

Hackers League is a global competition designed to unite developers and early-stage founders within the TON ecosystem. The stakes are high with a $2 million prize pool, but so are the opportunities.

What makes Hackers League Hackathon Winter 2024 even more remarkable is the 19 in-person bootcamps in cities worldwide that you can be part of. The in-person bootcamps will take place in:

- European cities, including London, Warsaw, Tbilisi, Moscow, and more
- Astana, Bangalore, Gurugram, Ho Chi Minh, and more in Asia

We plan to create a collaborative learning environment for over 3,500 people in these cities how to build with Web3. These bootcamps will give participants hands-on experience, in-depth learning, and the chance to network with other developers and industry experts.

Here’s what the Hackers League Hackathon promises;

- $3 million prize pool
- $5,000 prize pool at each bootcamp
- Workshops and lectures led by industry experts and TON representatives
- Entertainment activities and wrap-up parties for networking and celebration

For the offline bootcamps, our [*Open League Summer Bootcamps*](https://blog.ton.org/summer-bootcamps-hackers-league-hackathon) recap highlights the concepts you’ll learn, from mastering Telegram Mini apps to best practices for building Web3 games.

## **Join Hackers League 2024 – Secure your spot before it’s gone!**

Don't miss this chance to level up your skills and be part of the TON ecosystem. With limited slots available, now’s the time to secure your spot. Start preparing by reviewing our detailed article: [*Are You Ready for Hackers League 2024? Here's What You Need to Know*](https://blog.ton.org/hackers-league-2024-what-you-need-to-know).

Register today and join the Hackers League before it’s too late—because these spaces won’t last long!

Apply to Hackers League and secure your spot at an upcoming bootcamp in a [city near you](https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps).

[**APPLY NOW**](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024)

Offline Bootcamps: Learning in Person to Fuel Developer Success

It is hard to argue that memecoins have been as essential for crypto as DeFi, Play2Earn, or DePin. In the current market cycle, they have yet again become a major growth driver for many L1 and L2 blockchains.

TON (The Open Network) is undoubtedly no exception: not willing to remain on the sidelines, the TON community has joined forces in an initiative called TON Memelandia.

### **What is TON Memelandia?**

Created by TON Community and supported by TON Foundation and TON Society, TON Memelandia is a decentralized utopia where memecoin communities thrive, compete, and create.

Compared to other ecosystems, TON’s strategic position allows it to onboard Telegram's massive audience into crypto in general and memecoins in particular. Memelandia, therefore, offers a unique space for meme coins to grow, fuelled by the creative energy of degens.

Within this utopian world, key realms like the **Launchpad Lair, Meme Mountain, Cabal Arena, Community Forest, Memecoin Armery, and Lagoon of Digital Resistance** form the core of this whimsical world, building collaboration and competition among memecoin enthusiasts.

### **The Memecoin market: A cultural force**

Memecoins are not just a passing fad; they represent a massive, growing vertical in crypto. Recent examples show that strong communities form around massive memes. Celebrities like DOGS, Moo Deng, Neiro, and MOTHER collectively capture the current zeitgeist at breakneck speed.

As an example of the power of memecoins, in August 2024, TON shattered a blockchain record thanks to $DOGS. Over 17 million users claimed $DOGS tokens, with single-day transactions peaking at 14.4M!

Memecoins have become cultural catalysts in 2024, uniting communities with a shared mission and cult. The total market cap of memecoins is approximately [**$40 billion**](https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories/meme-token) (subject to change as its value is dynamic), illustrating their staying power and potential.

In a [recent panel at **TOKEN2049** in Singapore](https://youtu.be/P4DaD1tQnjQ?si=v3yytFMzU01QPf_9), industry experts like Ansem and Murad emphasized that memecoins are not mere jokes; on the contrary, the most successful ones provide a sense of belonging and even a relatively high degree of safety.

Memecoins challenge traditional finance with their playful yet disruptive narratives. As panelists highlighted, these tokens have shown remarkable resilience through multiple crypto cycles because people believe in them.

Memecoins are having a great time right now! The tab below shows that they're doing much better than other cryptocurrencies. Of the top 300 coins on Coinmarketcap, 40 have done better than Bitcoin, and almost 1/3 are memecoins!


 ![image.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/image_6580450a9f/image_6580450a9f.png) 
[Source](https://x.com/MustStopMurad/status/1839732601759641960)

### How Memelandia will seize the opportunity

TON Memelandia’s strategy is multifaceted, embracing battles with prizes and airdrops, marketing support for memecoins, regular community events, and much more. 

In September 2024, Memelandia sponsored its [first-ever event at Token2049 in Singapore.](https://t.me/ton_memelandia) TON teams such as Blum, DOGS, durev, REDO, FISH, STON.fi, TCAT and Mittens made waves during a panel discussion about TON memes and organized a $5,000 giveaway to the audience. 

1. Soon, Memelandia will kick off its exciting battles for traders and memecoin producers in the Cabal Arena and fair fights of the largest meme communities on the Memecoin Mountain. Prizes to teams and community airdrops in toncoin are coming back! Subscribe to Memelandia’s official channels on  [X](https://x.com/tonmemelandia) and [Telegram](https://t.me/ton_memelandia) to follow the announcements and updates. 
2. Every week, Memelandia will feature the most interesting news of TON memes and host Twitter (X) Spaces with different teams and influencers joining. 
    
    To get your news featured, [apply here.](https://forms.gle/txC8B6rhBvVJuH8Z7) 
    
3. Engaging talks, heated discussions and maybe even some conspiracy🙃 will be happening in the Memelandia GANG secret chat. 
    
    To join this alpha group, [click this link](https://forms.gle/Dcwfdw6XwtZiJQq49)
    
4. Community discussions & feedback sharing is always welcome.
    
    Propose your ideas [on TONResearch](https://tonresear.ch/c/ton-memelandia/85) portal: create topics, comment, share! 
    
5. To increase the visibility of useful tools for memecoin traders and creators (like trading bots, launchpads, and analytics platforms), Memelandia has a dedicated catalogue on its website called [Memecoin Armery.](https://ton.org/en/memelandia) 
    
    Teams that want their product to appear in the Armery are welcome to submit [this form.](https://forms.gle/5yXgYoyho4qpa9Uh6) 
    
6. Apart from incentive programs, marketing support and community engagement, Memelandia will make every effort to help TON memes gain exposure outside of TON through facilitating listings and partnerships. 
    
    In particular, if you submitted a listing request on Coingecko or Coinmarketcap, share your ticket number [here](https://forms.gle/8ptCyRmMYkWuu6i97) to streamline your listing.

### **Introducing the TON Memecoin Working Group Contributors**

Behind Memelandia’s push to revolutionize the memecoin space are key contributors of the TON Memecoin Working Group. This is an association of independent contributors that will develop and execute a strategy for growing the memecoin narrative in the TON ecosystem with the support of TON Foundation and TON Society. 

Among the group's goals are increasing the trading volume of memecoins on TON, growing the number of traders and memecoins launched, supporting the launch of successful cases (with $100M+ MC), and ensuring TON becomes a new meme coin hub. 

To achieve these aims, the Working Group will lead and facilitate marketing and business development efforts, create new analytics and trading tools and design relevant incentive programs. 

While performing their duties, contributors may contact teams and individuals with proposals and initiatives.

Among them are:

- **[Stefan aka AnaTONomantra](https://x.com/GringamorH)**: The big brain, a degen engineer, and a DeFi strategist, Stefan leads the technical initiatives for TON Memelandia and, more specifically, the Cabal Arena.
- **[Jason Langston aka Jax](https://x.com/JaxMemecon)**: Co-founder of MEMECON, full-time degen since 2017. Creative Director, BD & Marketing Manager. Jack of all trades, master of none.
- **[Julien Paredes aka Metafroggy](https://x.com/MetaFroggy):** Co-founder of MEMECON and a Blockchain lover since 2013. With a background in conflict resolution and charity, but also in strategic partnerships and project management, MetaFroggy is committed to making Memelandia an inclusive space for memecoin enthusiasts.

This working group drives the evolution of memecoins in TON, merging community-oriented activation, narrative, culture, and technology to create an unforgettable ecosystem.

Updates and reports will be available on [TONResearch.](https://tonresear.ch/t/ton-memecoin-working-group/38122)

### **The future of memecoins on TON**

Our goal is to become a leading memecoin ecosystem inside Telegram & beyond and quite simply we won’t sleep until we reach that goal!

As Memelandia continues to grow, memecoins will play a pivotal role in transforming digital culture. With the infrastructure and support of TON Foundation and TON Society, memecoins can become a dominant force in decentralized finance.

Join the movement, and explore the limitless potential of memecoins in Memelandia!

***Love & memes***

**Useful links:**

- [TON Memelandia website](https://ton.org/en/memelandia)
- [TON Memelandia X](https://x.com/TONmemelandia)
- [TON Memelandia Telegram Channel](https://t.me/ton_memelandia)

Exploring TON Memelandia: A New World for Memecoins to Reign

The Hackers League 2024 is just around the corner and it's shaping up to be [bigger and better than ever.](https://blog.ton.org/ton-hackers-league-2024) 

With offline bootcamps hosted in 19 cities worldwide, the Hackers League offers a fantastic platform for innovators to collaborate, learn, and compete for the $2,000,000 prize pool.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from what to expect to critical dates and how to make the most of the Hackers League Winter 2024 event.

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## Prepare, compete and conquer at the Hackers League Hackathon
Here are a few reasons why the Hackers League is a must-attend:

* **Prize Pool:** Compete for a share of $2 million in total prizes. The top 3 teams at each bootcamp will share a $5,000 prize pool. And that's just the beginning. The hackathon's five tracks offer a total prize pool of $485,000.
* **Real-World Applications:** Projects built during Hackers' League go beyond theory and focus on real-world applications. It’s an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology on the TON Blockchain.
* **Networking Opportunities:** The bootcamps and hackathon offer a chance to meet influential people in the blockchain and tech world. From fellow developers to mentors, you’ll access experts who can guide your project to success.
* **Learning:** Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, developers will enhance their Web3 skills and knowledge.

## Don’t miss these hackathon milestones
Mark your calendars for these important dates:


| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Hackathon Opening Ceremony | October 5, 2024 |
| Bootcamps (Worldwide) | October 11 - November 17, 2024 |
| Live Finalists Judging | December 16, 2024 |
| Winners Announcement | December 20, 2024 |

These dates are crucial to your hackathon journey, starting with the opening ceremony and culminating in the final live judging session and winner announcements. 

## Your guide to the Hackers League Bootcamps
The Hackers League Bootcamps are three-day events designed to give participants an immersive experience with the TON Blockchain. They feature workshops, lectures, and hands-on mentoring, helping you develop your project alongside industry leaders.

### What to expect at the bootcamps:

* **Day 1:** The first day starts with public talks and lectures to provide technical insight and guidance on building projects on the TON Blockchain.
* **Day 2:** A series of interactive workshops and personal mentoring hours will help you dive deep into your project, refining your ideas and getting one-on-one feedback from experts.
* **Day 3:** Participants pitch their projects to a panel of judges. The best projects will win the bootcamp prize and secure a spot in the Hackers' League Finals.

Beyond the technical experience, bootcamp attendees will enjoy a welcoming environment with food, drinks, merch, and recreational activities to keep the creativity flowing.

Check out the complete list of cities and dates for Hackers' League Bootcamps:

1. **London** - October 10-12, 2024
2. **Astana** - October 11-13, 2024
3. **Bangalore** - October 11-13, 2024
4. **Tbilisi** - October 11-13, 2024
5. **Warsaw** - October 11-13, 2024
6. **Moscow** - October 18-20, 2024
7. **Minsk** - October 18-20, 2024
8. **Amsterdam** - October 18-20, 2024
9. **Paris** - October 18-20, 2024
10. **Saint-Petersburg** - October 25-27, 2024
11. **Gurugram** - October 25-27, 2024
12. **Berlin** - October 25-27, 2024
13. **Kyiv** - November 8-10, 2024
14. **Yerevan** - November 8-10, 2024
15. **Belgrade** - November 8-10, 2024
16. **Ho Chi Minh** - November 8-10, 2024
17. **Manila** - November 15-17, 2024
18. **Hong Kong** - November 15-17, 2024
19. **Istanbul** - November 15-17, 2024

For more detailed information on each bootcamp location and schedule, visit the [TON Society Bootcamp page.](https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps)

## Preparing for the Hackers League: Resources and tips
To make the most out of the Hackers' League experience, you have to prepare beforehand. Here are valuable resources and tips to help you get started:


1. **Read about TON Blockchain:** Start by familiarizing yourself with the TON Blockchain and its unique features. It is the foundation of your project.
   * [TON Developer Documentation](https://docs.ton.org/) is an excellent place to begin, covering everything from basic smart contracts to more advanced features.
   * Explore our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@the_open_network/videos) for visual insights on our blockchain.
   * Access more resources from [The Open League Hackathon](https://dorahacks.io/hackathon/the-open-league-hackathon/)

2. Join a bootcamp: As mentioned earlier, the bootcamps are an excellent way to receive practical knowledge and direct mentorship from blockchain experts. Discover [TON Bootcamps close to your region.](https://blog.ton.org/bigger-and-better-hackers-league-2024-start-your-journey-with-bootcamps-in-19-cities) 

3. Form a team: While you can work solo, joining forces with other developers often leads to more innovative ideas. You can find teammates through TON’s official community channels on [Telegram.](https://t.me/toncoin) 

4. Start early: Don’t wait until the last minute. Begin brainstorming and coding as early as possible to give your project the attention it deserves.

5. Submit on time: Monitor submission deadlines and ensure you submit your project before the final date.


For more resources on how to succeed, head over to the [Hackers' League 2024 blog.](https://blog.ton.org/ton-hackers-league-2024)

## What makes a winning project?
Winning projects often solve a real-world problem using the TON Blockchain. Here are some factors that judges will be looking at:

* **Innovation:** Does your project add to the Web3 experience on TON?
* **Practicality:** What Web3 and real-world use case does your project provide?
* **Functionality:** Does it work as intended, with a smooth user experience?
* **Teamwork:** Strong collaborations often produce the most polished results.

To maximize your project's success, make sure it meets the above criteria. 

## Ready to compete? Here’s how to sign up

Hackers' League 2024 promises a fantastic opportunity for developers to test their skills, create meaningful projects, and network with other blockchain enthusiasts. 

**Don't miss your chance to join the next wave of blockchain industry leaders**. Be part of the in-person experience at one of our offline locations.

Join us in one of 19 cities worldwide and:
* **Level up your skills:** Learn from industry experts and build real-world projects.
* **Network with the best:** Connect with fellow developers, investors, and mentors.
* **Win a share of $2 million:** Compete in The Open League Hackathon and showcase your talent.

**Hurry and sign up today! Spots are filling up fast.**

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Are You Ready for Hackers League 2024? Here's What You Need to Know

As we gear up for the upcoming Hackers League Hackathon, it’s worth reflecting on the Open League Summer Workshops held earlier this year between May and June. 

Through the summer workshops, participants refined their skills, discovered new tools, and established a solid foundation for success in the rapidly evolving Web3 environment, particularly within TON's ecosystem. Thanks to the workshops from top-tier mentors, many future founders explored ways to develop dApps that could thrive in the Telegram ecosystem.

This recap highlights the successes of those workshops and extends an invitation to developers, old and new, to apply for the upcoming Hackers League Hackathon. 

<button href="https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps" passutmsource="true">
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### Top moments from this year’s Open League Summer Bootcamps
The Open League Summer Bootcamps took place across 13 international cities, including Berlin, Kyiv, Prague, Seoul, and Hong Kong.​ Those participating learned directly from TON experts and other key figures in TON’s ecosystem. The workshops equipped developers with both business and technical skills required to build successful Web3 projects.

The workshops covered different aspects of TON developer fundamentals, such as Telegram Mini Apps, Web3 integration, and attracting new users through viral token mining mechanisms. They were vital in helping the participants develop their Web3-building skills. 

Our experts also taught developers how to design mini-apps that could appeal to a mass audience, reflecting our philosophy of combining simplicity and user-friendliness. 

### How TON developer fundamentals power Web3 innovation
The summer bootcamps focused on teaching participants the essentials of building within the TON ecosystem. Workshop topics included:

- [Mastering Telegram Mini App UI](https://www.youtube.com/live/b4qomZ3p6JU) - Developers learned to create user-friendly and accessible interfaces.
- [Cloud Storage in Mini Apps](https://youtube.com/live/biSdojQ5J1g) - Participants explored the potential of leveraging cloud solutions for better data management.
- Smart Contracts in Tact, [Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/live/AJX2Ghk07zk) and [Part 2](https://youtube.com/live/0TfwDGYjCHQ) —The workshops introduced attendees to Tact, TON's imaginative contract language, and taught them how to apply it for seamless project development.
- [Grant Acquisition](https://youtube.com/live/5SbkpuWQMZY) - Developers also received guidance on securing funding through TON's various grant programs.
- [State of GameFi on TON](https://youtube.com/live/Zaot8pGWd4I) - Participants explored the opportunities within GameFi in the TON and Telegram ecosystems. 
- [Best Practices for Games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJmcDpa5j_I&ab_channel=DoraHacks) - Developers received insights on maximizing their gaming dApp metrics. 
- [Create a Successful Telegram Mini App](https://youtube.com/live/jM3wGHMI7NM) - The workshop revealed how developers could leverage best practices to ensure the success of their applications. 
- [How to Secure Grants for Your Project on TON](https://youtube.com/live/5SbkpuWQMZY) - Given the competitive Web3 ecosystem, developers received expert advice during the workshop to help them secure grants. 
- [Enhancing Your Telegram Mini App Experience](https://youtube.com/live/5SbkpuWQMZY) - The workshop explored advanced techniques that help developers improve their Telegram Mini App experience. 
- [Analytics Strategies for Telegram Mini Apps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPEYItvVFf8) - Our experts shared the best analytical strategies to help developers optimize their Telegram Mini App performance.
 
Developers mastered these elements to create robust dApps that utilize TON's blockchain within the Telegram ecosystem, serving over 900 million users.

### Motivations behind participating in the bootcamps: skills, prizes and more

Among the main reasons for participation in the Open League Summer Bootcamps was the opportunity to hone their skills and work on real-world projects that could have a tangible impact.

With mentorship from industry leaders and access to world-class resources, participants saw the workshops as a stepping stone to more significant Web3 opportunities. 

The prospect of substantial rewards also motivated many developers to join. With a total prize fund of $2.28 million, participants knew that their hard work could pay off in more ways than one. 

Additionally, developers were eager to explore the potential of bridging their existing projects from other blockchains into the TON ecosystem, which promises access to a massive and engaged user base through Telegram.

### A spotlight on the best projects from the summer bootcamps

Several standout projects emerged during the summer workshops, showcasing the participants' creativity and skill. Each bootcamp received a $5,000 prize pool. 

Below is a table showing the top project from each city:

| City  | Winner | dApp created |
| -------- | ------- | ------- |
| Prague | SettleTON | Yield optimizer Mini app for auto reinvestment 
| Berlin | FOLK     | A game where players influence collectible rarity through competition
| Belgrade    | TonTeeTon   | Oracle solution for off-chain computations using secure memory enclaves
|  Warsaw   |  Overleap  | Telegram bot for paid messages from non-contacts
|  Kyiv   | Parroton   | Decentralized yield optimization protocol
|  Hong Kong |  Boosteam  | Telegram Mini App to boost channels and hire Premium users
|  Taipei   | BeaverLand   | Lending protocol on TON
|  Gurugram   |  TONlingo  | Telegram Mini App for learning English with crypto rewards
|  Seoul   | CookieLabs   | Gamified launchpad for issuing Jettons
| Tbilisi    |  Polyton  | Jetton launchpad on TON

Explore the winning projects in the detailed [Summer Hackathon recap.](https://tonsociety.substack.com/p/open-league-summer-bootcamps-recap) 

User engagement was further boosted by the development of referral mechanics, which allowed projects to be shared with friends. The workshops produced only a small portion of what developers built. 

We anticipate the number of dApps will be even greater and better in the upcoming winter Hackathon. 

### Looking ahead to the Hackers League Hackathon
As we gear up for The Hackers League Hackathon, excitement is in the air. With a $2 million prize pool and the potential for additional investments of up to $500,000 from TON Ventures, developers have every reason to apply and compete. 

Developers will have eight weeks to onboard, learn, and build their projects, with 19 in-person bootcamps available at strategic locations worldwide. The hackathon offers a fast track into The Open League competition, with a $15 million project prize pool and additional opportunities for grants, liquidity boosts, and exposure on the international stage.

The stakes are high, and the competition will be fierce, but with the skills gained from the Hackers League Bootcamps, participants are well-prepared to rise to the challenge. 

Whether you’re a developer looking to bring a proven dApp into the TON ecosystem or a new team ready to build something from scratch, The Hackers League Hackathon offers the perfect platform to make your mark.

### Time to Build on TON
The Hackers League Hackathon accelerates the path to success for innovative projects that can push the boundaries of Web3 development within the Telegram ecosystem. The summer workshops have laid the groundwork, but the real opportunities lie ahead.

Join us in The Hackers League Hackathon and apply for one of our IRL Hackers League bootcamps, where you can build, innovate, and win alongside other top developers worldwide.

#### Spots are going quickly, so complete your application today!

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Hot Days, Bold Ideas: How Our Open League Summer Bootcamps Inspired The Hackers League Hackathon!

We recently launched the [Hackers League](https://blog.ton.org/ton-hackers-league-2024), a global ecosystem-wide winter competition inviting founders, developers and hackers to showcase their blockchain skills and win from a $2M prize pool.

We’re hosting bootcamps in 19 cities across the globe. By taking part, leverage a fantastic chance to enjoy hands-on learning, networking, and a chance to fast-track your projects into the TON ecosystem.  Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, this is an opportunity to elevate your skills and connect with like-minded builders.

### How the Summer Open League Hackathon set the stage for a bigger experience

From May 24 to June 9 this year, the Summer Open League Hackathon attracted over 2,000 hackers and 350 projects. We arranged 13 offline bootcamps in different locations, providing developers with opportunities to connect, acquire knowledge, and progress together. 

During the bootcamps over 1,000 applications were submitted, at the time The Open League’s biggest hackathon. Participants developed Telegram Mini Apps across four tracks: GameFi, SocialFi, DeFi, and eCommerce.

[Read the full recap](https://tonsociety.substack.com/p/open-league-summer-bootcamps-recap)

### What’s new in the Hackers League 2024 bootcamps?
This season, we’re expanding to 19 cities: 
- Astana
- Moscow
- Saint Petersburg
- Manila
- Kyiv
- London
- Yerevan
- Ho Chi Minh
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- Gurugram
- Bangalore
- Tbilisi
- Istanbul
- Belgrade
- Hong Kong
- Minsk
- Warsaw 
- Berlin

The bootcamps will run during the Hackers League hackathon from October 11 to November 17, 2024. Each event has three days of lectures, public talks, and technical workshops tailored to developers at all skill levels.

Besides learning, each bootcamp will include recreational activities, such as table tennis tournaments, and some cities will host unique sessions like tarot card readings for fun. We aim to create a well-rounded experience that blends work, learning, and socializing.

You can anticipate a dynamic lineup of activities at each bootcamp, including:
- **Lectures and Workshops**: Our expert-led sessions will explore coding, blockchain fundamentals, and product development.
- **Networking Opportunities**: Meet fellow developers, TON experts, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and form teams.
- **Pitch Sessions**: On Day 3, teams will present their projects to a panel of judges, receiving valuable feedback and a chance to move forward in the Hackers League hackathon.
- **Exclusive Perks**: Each participant will receive a welcome pack, exclusive merchandise, a unique Soulbound Token (SBT) and a hackathon-first one-week coworking pass to continue working on their projects after the bootcamp. The bootcamps will feature a prize pool of $85,000, with participants competing for $5,000 on the spot

Beyond the technical skills, you’ll have the chance to create connections with like-minded developers, helping expand TON’s Web3 ecosystem.

<button href="https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps" passutmsource="true">
  Apply now
</button >

### Preparing you for success in the Hackers League Hackathon
Our primary objective is to get as many developers as possible ready to apply for the Hackers League Hackathon. We want to equip you with the skills and knowledge to pitch, build, and scale your projects. Successful pitches at the bootcamps will be fast-tracked into the hackathon, where you’ll work on developing a minimum viable product (MVP).

Once you've made it to the hackathon, the best projects will share a $2 million prize pool, with additional incentives from the TON Builders Growth Program. Winners will also be eligible for grants, acceleration programs, and VC funding.

### Team collaboration and focus areas at the Bootcamps

We’ll split participants into teams, each responsible for creating a project based on the Hackers League tracks: DeFi, Gaming & Onboarding, Social & Utility, or Infra. These tracks represent key growth areas within the TON ecosystem, and each team will focus on building products that leverage the strengths of blockchain technology.

Our experts will guide you through the process, offering feedback and support to help you refine your ideas. By the end of the bootcamp, you’ll have a clear roadmap for developing your MVP and scaling your project within the TON network.

Key dates to remember: 
- **Oct 5, 2024:** Hackathon opening ceremony
- **Oct 11 - Nov 17, 2024:** Bootcamps
- **Dec 16, 2024:** Finalists Judging
- **Dec 20, 2024:** Winners Announcement

### Spots are limited, act quickly to secure your place. 

Now is the time to get involved. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, network with industry leaders, or win a share of $2 million in prizes, the Hackers League Bootcamp is your entry point. Registration is simple: choose your city, sign up, and get ready to build.

Join us in one of the 19 cities and take the first step toward building your future in the TON ecosystem. 

1. Register for the [Bootcamp in your city](https://society.ton.org/activities/open-league)
2. Join your local hub’s social media
3. Submit your idea to [The Open League Hackathon](https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps). 

#### Attendance is free but only after application approval. Don't delay, spots are limited!

<button href="https://society.ton.org/activities/offline-bootcamps" passutmsource="true">
  Apply now
</button >

For updates and more information, [follow us on Telegram](https://t.me/TONSociety). 



BIGGER & BETTER: Hackers League 2024 - Start Your Journey With Bootcamps in 19 Cities

Today, we’re excited to release the next installment in our ‘TON Innovators’ series. This time, the spotlight is on TADA mini, a ride-hailing application that improves how people book rides by offering an intuitive, blockchain-powered experience directly within Telegram.

TADA Mini connects its network of approximately 300,000 drivers to the Telegram platform. Toncoin users can easily book rides through Tonkeeper and receive instant refunds for cancellations or other app-related inconveniences. The service was introduced in Singapore at the beginning of September, perfectly timed to provide convenient transportation for the much-awaited Token 2049 event. TADA organized a referral event to mark the launch, giving away token rewards for users engaging with chatbots, following social media channels, and inviting friends.

TADA Mini offers real-time ride-hailing and mission features, all easily accessible through this link: [https://t.me/TADA_Ride_Bot](https://t.me/TADA_Ride_Bot).

Now, let’s get to the interview. 

*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*

## TON Innovators: TADA Mini

**Welcome to TON Innovators, TADA. You released TADA mini just in time for the Token-2049 event. Was it your plan to launch it during TOKEN2049?**

When TADA first launched in 2018, we used token rewards to attract drivers and build a strong driver community on Telegram. Today, we have established a platform that supports the livelihoods of over 300,000 drivers.

However, on the rider side, it was challenging at the time to educate Web2 riders about blockchain wallets and encourage them to use tokens for rides. As a result, it was difficult to introduce utility for token use during rides.

Therefore, we shifted our focus from educating regular passengers to targeting users already familiar with Web3. We eventually envisioned building a separate Web3 version of TADA's ride-hailing service.

With the introduction of wallet functionality in Telegram in 2024, we realized that a robust infrastructure had been created, allowing many users to easily use tokens. Since many Web3 users use Telegram, we thought we could bring TADA into the TON ecosystem.
As a result, over the past four months, we rapidly developed TADA Mini, targeting Token2049, where many global Web3 users participate.

**TADA is a global ride-hailing platform operating in Southeast Asia. What drove you to launch TADA Mini as a Telegram app, and how did you see the potential of this platform for such a project?**

First of all, by leveraging the Telegram platform, we can connect with its 1 billion user base, which holds potential as a source of trip demand. Geographically, this also aligns well with TADA’s drivers who operate in the SEA region.

From a user experience perspective, it’s incredibly convenient that anyone can simply connect the mini app in the chat window and easily request a vehicle whenever needed. we found this UX structure to be very user-friendly.

Moreover, we believe that TADA Mini aligns with TON Foundation's vision of “putting crypto in every pocket.” As more people start holding crypto in their pocket, we believe more Web3 users will use their tokens via TADA Mini when traveling.

**Tell us more about the team behind TADA Mini. What are their backgrounds and expertise that contribute to the project's success?**

MVL Group, the parent company of TADA, started in 2018 with the vision of revolutionizing the mobility scene with blockchain.

It was initially a small team, but thanks to the growth of TADA and others, it now has about 300 talented people from various fields in 7 countries worldwide. Looking at their background, they are active in mobility services, vehicle manufacturing, energy, and data, and in particular, they all work together with a single mission in blockchain projects.

In the blockchain sector, they have mainly focused on work for driver Web3 onboarding. These include multi-chain wallets and DeFI products for drivers, DePIN data maps that provide better routes through data analysis, and Vehicle RWA, which provides reasonably priced vehicles to drivers.

Although various products have been developed, they were mainly products for the 300,000 TADA drivers active in our ecosystem, not those used by the general public.

However, the newly launched TADA Mini targets all global Web3 users and can provide a new token utility in the real world to all Web3 projects. I think this is a very powerful feature that only TADA, which has a real business, can provide. Therefore, in the future, we plan to be more active in the blockchain scene based on TADA Mini.

**What sets TADA Mini apart from other projects in the TON and Telegram space? What unique features or benefits does it offer to users?**

The current blockchain scene is growing rapidly in areas the public can easily access online, such as games and memes. However, we believe that various services that combine real life and crypto should be launched in the future.

In this regard, TADA Mini differentiates itself from other projects because it can use ride-sharing services in real life. In the future, TADA Mini will provide powerful functions as real-life utility to various Web3 projects and numerous users in the TON ecosystem.

In addition, we are considering a direction to cooperate more closely with trendy features such as games and memes. For example, during the approximately 30 minutes that a passenger sits in a taxi and rides, the idea of ​​users simply accessing a mini-game and receiving game coin rewards or ride discounts can be realized.

If we make these types of ideas more concrete, we can introduce various win-win functions for both the project and the users.

**How have users responded to TADA Mini so far? What are some of the most common feedback or suggestions you've received?**

Many users are enthusiastic about the fact that riding is more accessible than expected on Telegram.

In the case of the pre-ride event for the first 4,000 users, it went viral on the Token2049 site on Tuesday the 17th, and all of them were sold out by the evening of Wednesday the 18th. Considering that an average of 2 to 3 people ride in one vehicle, this TADA mini provided a new experience to about 10,000 people.

This is because the user's first experience is the most important when introducing a product, and unlike existing Ride-Haliing web2 apps, it has the advantage of simplifying cumbersome procedures such as app downloads, card registration, and KYC as much as possible, allowing anyone to try riding very quickly.

However, the development process was tight because it had to be launched during this Token2049 period. Therefore, some of the functional implementations were somewhat insufficient. In particular, we have received feedback that there is room for further improvement in functions, such as moving to a chat room in a mini-app structure and clearly distinguishing between blockchain transaction and boarding waiting times.

**Are there any other community-driven initiatives or events in the pipeline?**

During the event, various missions were carried out for TADA Mini subscribers, which are similar to what other projects in the TON ecosystem are already doing.

In addition, information about the TADA mini ride-sharing event at the TON Foundation and TON Society was also very helpful in attracting users and promoting it, and we focused on distributing various promotional leaflets at the Token2049 site so that they could be used by actual users.

In addition, the unique feature that only we could do was the taxi-related function.

The fun features like banner ads and events before and after trips can attract users from other projects to join TADA mini. Additionally, games while riding can keep users engaged and spread the word about the platform to others, especially at events like Token2049. This can help TADA mini continuously attract new users and grow its community.


**What other strategies are you implementing to encourage wider adoption of TADA Mini and promote its use among the general public?**

Originally, TADA was a popular service with 100,000 daily trips on the Web2 app. However, since these Web2-only apps are services for the general public, most users do not necessarily use cards or cash and do not necessarily purchase crypto to use them.

Therefore, through this event, we minimized exposure to the general public and conducted limited online marketing targeting Web3 users first. This allowed us to obtain various behavioral data, such as whether Web3 users actually use crypto to ride and what barriers exist to further activate this.

Currently, we understand that various exchanges, wallet partners, and other projects are also implementing different strategies for crypto mass adoption. Accordingly, TADA Mini will continue actively collaborating with them based on the experience and data accumulated from this event.

If we can onboard users from other project ecosystems to TADA mini one by one, we believe we will be able to lead the popularization of crypto in the future.

**What future developments and enhancements can users expect from TADA mini?**

TADA Mini is still in its early stages. Within the limited time, we have focused on implementing the actual operation of Crypto Ride-Hailing via Telegram and TON. Therefore, we will also focus on implementing a better user experience and creating a more aesthetically pleasing product in the future. We have also received feedback from major projects within the TON ecosystem, such as Blum, regarding the UX/UI aspect, so we plan to actively utilize their advice.

Accordingly, we will continue to improve features so that more projects' tokens can be used in TADA mini in the long term.

One of our main operations tasks is gradually increasing the driver pool currently connected on TADA mini to several countries worldwide. Currently, this can only be done in Singapore, but within this year, TADA mini will be sequentially opened in four countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, where the actual TADA service is being provided.

In addition, we are continuously considering ways to expand the service to more countries, such as Hong Kong, and quickly gather a global driver pool.

What an excellent session with **James Yang (CIO of MVL/TADA)**

We leave you with this:

TADA mini is transforming ride-hailing with a sleek integration into Telegram. Users can book rides directly through Telegram, skipping extra apps and complex sign-ups. With a network of nearly 300,000 drivers, TADA mini offers real-time communication and quick, reliable rides.

Learn more about TADA mini on the following social platforms.

[Website](https://tada.global/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TADASGP) | [Telegram](https://t.me/TADA_Ride_Bot)  

Downloads

[iOS](https://apps.apple.com/kr/app/tada-ride-hailing/id1412329684) | [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.mvlchain.tada)



TON Innovators: TADA Mini

Our ['New Mission'](https://blog.ton.org/the-new-mission-for-ton-society) statement establishes the guiding principles for our path to becoming a decentralized independent organization. These principles will be instrumental in elevating the TON Ecosystem by pursuing greater community engagement, transparency and democratized access to the TON community. 

Today, we’re excited to unveil the **Hackers League**, which represents a significant stride towards our ultimate objectives. The Hackers League is a global ecosystem-wide winter competition inviting founders, developers and hackers to showcase their blockchain skills and win from a **$2M prize pool.** 

Participants will compete across five tracks, each offering unique challenges and opportunities to win substantial rewards. From DeFi to GameFi, Hackers League provides a platform for developers to demonstrate their expertise and creativity.

Beyond coding, the Hackers League is about building blockchain capacity for the present and the future. To integrate blockchain into daily life, we need blockchain builders to serve the masses with useful everyday dApps. The competition includes 19 in-person bootcamps, offering hands-on experience and networking opportunities in 19 cities globally. Each bootcamp will culminate in a wrap-up party, celebrating the experience. 

The Hackers League will take place from **September 12 to December 20, 2024,** and consists of different stages, such as registration, building, and judging.

We invite you to explore the exciting tracks and discover the incredible opportunities that await.

## What is the Hackers League?
The Hackers League is a competition encouraging individual and team participants to showcase their creativity and technical skills across the TON ecosystem. It is a three-day developer event held in 19 cities worldwide. It’s a chance to learn from industry experts, interact with TON representatives, and engage with TON community members who share a passion for blockchain innovation.

Each offline bootcamp offers a $5,000 prize pool, distributed among the top three teams. With 19 cities hosting these events, the total bootcamp prize pool amounts to $85,000, providing plenty of opportunities for participants to win.

### Key features of the Hackers League:

- **$2M Prize Pool**: The substantial prize pool ensures that top teams receive rewards for their efforts.
- **19 IRL Bootcamps**: These in-person events provide immersive experiences in the TON ecosystem, offering workshops, lectures, and networking opportunities.
- **Partner Tracks**: Collaborate with industry partners and learn from experts to enhance your project.

## Hackathon Schedule
The Hackers League has a carefully planned schedule to ensure participants have enough time to work on their projects, receive feedback and make necessary improvements before the final judging. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates:

- **Registration Begins:** September 12, 2024
- **Hackathon Building Phase:** October 5, 2024 – November 23, 2024
- **Bootcamps:** October 11, 2024 – November 17, 2024
- **Semi-finalists Selection:** November 23, 2024 – December 5, 2024
- **Finalists Selection:** December 5, 2024 – December 15, 2024
- **Live Judging Sessions:** December 16, 2024 – December 17, 2024
- **Winners Announcement:** December 20, 2024


## Hackathon Tracks
The Hackathon offers five main tracks, each with a specific focus area. Participants can choose the challenge that best aligns with their expertise and interests. 

Here’s an overview of the tracks and the corresponding prize pools:

| **Track** | **Total Prize** | **1st Place** | **2nd Place** | **3rd Place**
| :--------: | :-------: | :-------: | :-------: | :-------: |
| **DeFi** | $185,000 | $35,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $25,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
| **SocialFi & Utility** | $75,00 | $35,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $25,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
| **GameFi & Onboarding** | $75,000 | $35,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $25,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
| **On-chain Data Analytics** | $75,000 | $35,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits  $25,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits
| **Interoperability** | $75,000 | $35,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $25,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits | $20,000 + $10,000 TG ads credits


## What exactly can you build?

Each track brings its own set of difficulties and cues to spark your creative energy. Let’s break it down:

In the DeFi track, we’re looking for solutions to problems like Collateralized Debt Positions (CDPs) and synthetic assets. Think about how you can make it easier for people to borrow against their crypto or create new assets. 

Or maybe you want to design a yield farming protocol that’s profitable, safe, and sustainable. And who knows, you could even develop a new way to make algorithmic stablecoins more stable. 

Over in the SocialFi & Utility track, consider using Telegram’s social features to build amazing apps. You can create a platform that helps brands connect with their fans or a tool that makes it easier for people to manage their online communities.

Consider the options in the table below. 

| **Track** | **What to Build** | **Focus Areas** |
| :--------: | :-------: | :-------: |
| **DeFi** | Collateralized Debt Position (CDP) / Synthetic Assets | Secure, decentralized CDP protocols with innovative collateral mechanisms.
| | Yield Farming | Design sustainable, secure yield farming strategies with advanced DeFi mechanisms. |
| | Algorithmic Stablecoins | Create scalable, decentralized algorithmic stablecoins with innovative stabilization mechanisms. |
| | Concentrated Liquidity Market Maker | Build advanced market-making algorithms optimizing liquidity pools within specific price ranges. |
| | New DeFi Primitives on TON | Innovate new financial instruments or decentralized protocols exploiting TON's unique features.
**Interoperability** | Interoperability Solutions |  Develop bridges, cross-chain swaps, and liquidity protocols to connect TON with other networks. |
**Social & Utilities** | Telegram-based Social & Utility Apps | Build B2C/B2B2C dApps leveraging Telegram’s social potential with Web3 elements.
**Gaming & Onboarding** | Telegram-based Gaming & Onboarding apps | Build games with sustainable economies to onboard new users to TON and Telegram

Remember, these are just ideas to get you started. We urge you to be creative and create unique, innovative ideas.

## Requirements and eligibility 
Submitting pre-made code is prohibited. The hackathon requires all apps to be developed from scratch and not started before the first public announcement.

In order to be eligible for the prizes, projects must fulfill the following requirements by the submission deadline (23/11/2024):

- DeFi: launched on mainnet;
- Gaming & Onboarding, Social & Utility: fully launched on TON with on-chain mechanics;
- Infra: full launch.

For projects submitting in the DeFi, Gaming and Onboarding, or Social and Utility tracks, **a working Telegram Mini App is required**.

## TON Ventures Investments and Open League Incentives
In addition to the cash prizes, the top projects can secure investments from TON Ventures, with a potential investment pool of $500,000. [TON Ventures](https://blog.ton.org/introducing-ton-ventures-a-40m-fund-for-early-stage-projects) is a $40M fund is set to fuel the next wave of innovation in the TON ecosystem by supporting early-stage crypto projects. 

The Open League Incentives also offer additional rewards for outstanding projects selected to join the program.
The Hackers League is a gateway to innovation, collaboration, and success in the TON ecosystem. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this creative journey—register now and start building!

## Partner tracks 
Additionally, we will reveal the partner tracks and each of them will have its own nominations and rewards. Follow [TON Society](https://t.me/tonsociety) and [t.me/hackathonx](http://t.me/hackathonx). 

[APPLY NOW](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/hackers-league-winter-2024)

Hackers League 2024: A $2M Hackathon for Early Stage Founders

In the recent article [The New Mission for TON Society](https://blog.ton.org/the-new-mission-for-ton-society), we briefly mentioned our plans and goals for the foreseeable future. Today, we want to introduce you to a program that will play an essential role in this: the **TON Nest Builders Growth Program.**

TON Nest is a program designed to transform how early-stage TON projects grow and succeed. Through the program, we will help innovators and builders take their projects to the next level by providing them with access to unique benefits, such as mentorships, marketing support, and cash rewards that are usually not available at an early stage. Whether you’ve just started building your product or you’re looking for new partnerships, TON Nest has all the tools to make it happen. 

## Benefits of TON Nest
The program is primarily focused on providing three key benefits, but there are also some additional perks that will help you grow and network. The three core benefits of TON Nest are: 

- **Mentorship support** - Our experienced mentors will stand by your side through all of the steps required to make your product succeed. You will get direct access to some of the best Web3 veterans from the TON Ecosystem who have experience building apps, communities, and viable businesses. Our mentors include Vlad Kamyshov from EVAA Protocol, Denis Vasin from Storm Trade, Vadim Sterlin from  Monetization&Ads at Adsgram, TON Syndicate Ambassadors, Peskar, developer at bemo.

- **Marketing support** - Once your product achieves Lvl 3, we will plan AMAs, X Spaces, live streams, and digests featuring your app to help you reach potential audiences and boost your brand awareness. 

- **Cash rewards**- The best projects from the TON Nest program will be eligible for cash rewards for top-performing projects based on the in-program pitch sessions designed to bootstrap your project, whether you want to hire new talent, increase your reach, or develop additional user features. 

Additionally, TON Nest will serve as a sandbox for same-stage projects looking for partnerships and new synergies where they can elevate each other instead of competing. We will pool together like-minded people who are passionate about building and help them build an ecosystem around their product. 

## How to enter TON Nest
To get into the program, you have to make a pitch and capture our attention. If you’re successful, we will invite you to the first chat, where you will claim your SBT and start with the activities. 

**All the hackathon participants can join the TON Nest directly and start growing their project without going through any application process or a pitch.**

TON Nest is designed to be flexible and accessible, so you can start where you feel most comfortable and get support from day one. If you’re not the one to attend hackathons, you can create your project on the [TON Ecosystem site.](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/ton-nest) Your pitch must be strong and directly to the point. First impression matters and you need to present a strong idea. 

In order to be accepted into the program, everyone must pitch at the online or offline events, on [TON Society’s Telegram channel](https://t.me/tonsociety), or directly to our ambassadors and TON Society team members if they come across them.

The process is very straightforward and quick, as we expect you to be effective and fast. 


- **Lvl 1: Ideators**
- At this level, your primary job is to perfect your idea and learn how to perform data-driven user research. You will publish your project and gather the feedback from our team. To pass this stage, you will need a perfect pitch deck. 

- **Lvl 2: Buildors**
- At this stage, you’re officially part of the TON Nest program, and your building journey begins. It will take some time, but we will have a lot of fun, and your team will launch your product. Don’t worry about the how, the go-to-market strategy, and other startup buzzwords. We will go through this together in a series of workshops and lectures. Our mentors will share their experiences, and we will test your marketing ideas and GTM. 
- This is the hardest part of the entire process but also the most enjoyable. 

- To pass this stage you will need a working MVP with a clear solution for a problem and initial traction of 20k-50k monthly active users on your mainnet showing a solid retention rate. 

- **Bonus:** Once you’re live and built the initial momentum, you’ll unlock our marketing package. You’ll receive entry into our alpha gems - an early projects discovery space - newsletter feature, Syndicate event speaking slots, 1-on-1 mentorship calls and a new SBT! 

- **Lvl 3: Scalors**
- Your product is live with the first few thousand active users. Now is the time to scale your business and go Brrrr! Together, we will do a final push to prepare you for grant applications, pitches in front of selected VCs, and the best part, actual revenue generation. 

- To pass this stage, you must have a monetization strategy in place, DeFi mainnet, strong traction, and clear product positioning. 

- **Bonus:** Once you pass this level, we will set up a live demo day to pitch your product to VCs, TON Accelerator, TON Ventures, and TON Foundation vertical leads, including the Ecosystem, GameFi, DeFi, and Infra leads. We will also introduce you to the next steps of your journey. 

Join the TON Nest Builders Growth Program and unlock the potential of your idea. With mentorship, marketing support, and cash rewards, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

[Apply Now](https://eco.ton.org/en/opportunities/ton-nest) 


Empowering Builders for Growth with TON Nest

The parade of exciting DeFi collaborations continues to grow. TON Foundation, the non-profit organization accelerating the growth of The Open Network Blockchain (TON), has teamed up with Curve Finance, a leading DEX, to incubate a TON-based stable swap project. The collaboration will create new opportunities for stablecoin trading on the TON blockchain, opening the doors to a more accessible and efficient trading environment.

## Leveraging Curve’s market-making expertise for seamless trading
The upcoming project will use Curve’s constant-function market maker (CFMM) technology. By integrating this advanced mechanism, we aim to simplify stablecoin swaps, enhance the user experience, and minimize price impact during trades. Curve’s CFMM technology has helped revolutionize decentralized finance (DeFi), and its integration on TON will only amplify the impact of stablecoin trading.

We’ll work together to select an independent development team to build the new project, ensuring transparency and community input throughout the process. Michael Egorov, founder of Curve Finance, will play an advisory role, offering expertise in protocol mechanics and development strategies. 

> “In the four months since USDT’s launch, our community has demonstrated a historic level of demand for the token,” said Vlad Degen (https://x.com/@VladDegen), DeFi Lead from TON Foundation. “You will soon see more stablecoins and assets from other chains, such as BTC, on TON. We need a native CFMM for a comfortable interaction — this is mandatory for our growth! Working with one of the industry’s leading market makers to incubate this new project was a natural choice.”

The selected team will implement Curve Finance’s stable swap formula and receive support to help grow the project. An allocation of the new project’s native tokens will also be airdropped to qualified users, including veCRV holders.

## Meeting surging demand for TON-based stablecoins
With USDT on TON reaching a net circulation of $729.9 million just four months after its launch - the fastest-growing USDT launch ever - it’s clear demand for stablecoins on TON is surging. With more assets being developed on TON daily, the Curve Finance collaboration will meet this growing demand by delivering a better stablecoin trading experience while minimizing price impact, boosting liquidity, and contributing to the continued adoption of TON blockchain. 

With the upcoming TON-based stable swap project, we're enhancing trading conditions and further propelling TON's Web3 ecosystem.
Teams interested in applying to develop the project can apply at the link below: 

https://forms.gle/sdkT4fWLyCpRvQWD8

**Submissions are open one week after the announcement! Until September 24.**

## About Curve Finance
[Curve Finance](https://curve.fi/) is a leading global decentralized exchange (DEX) designed for efficient, fully automated, and low-slippage trading of stablecoins and equal tokens, also having its stablecoin and lending platform. Established in 2020 and presently headquartered in Switzerland, Curve Finance quickly distinguished itself within the DeFi ecosystem by being one of the few platforms to make use of an automated market maker (AMM) algorithm instead of an order book to match liquidity.


TON Foundation Collaborates with Leading DEX Curve Finance to Incubate a TON-Based Stable Swap Project

At TON, our goal is to make Web3 accessible to everyone. That's why the TON (The Open Network) Foundation has partnered with TADA, a leading ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia. Together, we’ve introduced TADA mini, a Telegram-based service that combines ride-hailing with the simplicity of Web3 technology. This partnership brings the real-world utility of digital assets to everyday services, like booking a ride.

## What the partnership means
With TADA Mini, users can hail a ride directly through Telegram without downloading a separate app or going through long sign-up processes. Users can also pay for rides using TON or USDT-TON, putting their digital assets to practical use. This service is ideal for anyone who values convenience and enjoys the benefits of Web3 technology.

To celebrate the TADA partnership, TADA and TON will offer 4,000 free rides during TOKEN2049, a leading crypto event in Singapore. Users who take advantage of TADA Mini during this event will experience a new way to book rides and access exclusive discounts.
TADA’s existing presence in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia makes it an ideal partner for expanding Web3 technology in the region. And with plans to expand into Hong Kong, TADA is on a path to becoming a more influential company in the global ride-hailing market.

The first 4,000 users to hail a ride using the mini app in Singapore during TOKEN2049 will get their ride for free. After the 4,000 free journeys have been claimed, users will receive a 50% discount on their fare for TON Trip via the TADA mini app (terms and conditions apply). 

**To claim your free ride, click this [link.](https://lu.ma/0gkhm9q8)**

Harvey Kim, Head of Korea at TON Foundation stated on the partnership:

> “If we want to accelerate the successful adoption of Web3 solutions, it’s crucial that strong partnerships are forged with exciting Web2 platforms that enable their users to quickly become familiar with the many benefits of Web3. This partnership is a key milestone for us, as we look to continue TON blockchain’s growth across Southeast Asia. I can’t wait to take my first journey next week!”

## A key step for Web3 growth

Partnerships like this will encourage more people to adopt Web3 solutions. By integrating blockchain technology into daily services like ride-hailing, we’re helping users experience the benefits of digital assets without understanding the complexities of Web3.
The partnership with TADA is just the beginning, and we’re excited to bring more practical uses of TON to our global community. Our community can expect more collaborations in the future to expand the Web3 ecosystem. 

## About TADA

TADA, powered by MVL, is a ride-hailing platform serving Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Launched in Singapore in 2018, TADA introduced a zero-commission policy and a token-based incentive system, distinguishing itself with a blockchain-friendly approach that ensures transparent fares and affordable prices for both drivers and riders. TADA is always committed to adopting innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

[Website](https://tada.global/) | [TADA Mini](https://t.me/TADA_Ride_Bot)

TADA and TON Foundation Bring Web3 Ride-Hailing to Telegram

In April 2024, [TON launched native USDt on The Open Network](https://blog.ton.org/usdt-comes-to-ton-embrace-the-true-peer-to-peer-experience). USDt on TON has achieved a circulation of 729.9 million in just five months, making it the fastest growing launch in Tether’s history. This launch represents a significant step towards the mass adoption of Web3 peer-to-peer payments, providing a seamless experience to Telegram’s 950 million users.

Continuing on this initial success, TON is excited to announce the launch of a new 5 million Toncoin DeFi incentive program. This new initiative is part of a larger effort to bolster adoption of USDt-TON and drive deeper liquidity for TON’s DeFi ecosystem. Decentralized exchanges [STON.fi](http://STON.fi) and [DeDust](https://dedust.io/), in addition to liquid staking protocols [Tonstakers](https://tonstakers.com/) and [Bemo](https://bemo.fi/), will lead the way in implementing the new incentive program for the TON community. 

STON.fi and DeDust provide users access to a wide range of token trading pairs as essential bases for liquidity within the TON ecosystem. Tonstakers and Bemo offer innovative liquid staking solutions, enabling users to easily take advantage of advanced DeFi farming strategies.

The incentive program's initial phase will focus on rewarding liquidity providers in TON/USDt, stTON/USDt, and tsTON/USDt pools on STON.fi and DeDust.

 ![1.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/1_4c7f33467c/1_4c7f33467c.png) 

## Guide to farming the DeFi incentive program
The new incentive program helps users earn rewards by providing liquidity within the TON ecosystem. This guide will outline how to maximize these rewards through liquid staking farming strategies.

In case you're unfamiliar with staking, here’s a breakdown of common terms used in DeFi farming strategies:

1. **Liquidity Pools:** A shared pool of tokens anyone can access. When you contribute liquidity to these pools in the form of tokens like TON or USDt-TON, you're helping others trade easily. In return, you receive a small fee each time a trade is made in the pool.

3. **Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSD):** Liquid Staking Derivatives (LSD) refer to a process where users stake their tokens with staking platforms such as TonStakers and Bemo. When users, for example, stake Toncoin, they receive LSD like stTON (Bemo) or tsTON (TonStakers) in return. These derivative tokens represent the staked TON. Holders of stTON or tsTON can use these tokens to farm even more rewards within the TON ecosystem. Learn more about [TON Liquid Staking here.](https://medium.com/@tonstakers/all-you-need-to-know-about-ton-liquid-staking-1636b78d4c04) 

The 5M Toncoin DeFi Incentive Program involves staking Toncoin via [Tonstakers](https://tonstakers.com/) and [Bemo](https://bemo.fi/) and providing these derivatives as liquidity to stTON/USDt and ts/TON/USDt pools on [Dedust](https://dedust.io/pools) and [StonFi](https://ston.fi/). 

In short, by participating in each of these activities—staking your tokens in LSD protocols, and providing LSD as liquidity—you can earn multiple types of rewards during the incentive program.

Let’s now discuss the types of rewards you can earn. 

 ![2.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/2_e93eb1a8ad/2_e93eb1a8ad.png) 


1. **DEX Trading Fees**: Users who add liquidity to pools earn a share of the trading fees.

3. **Staking Rewards:** Users who stake their TON via Tonstakers or Bemo will receive rewards.

5. **Toncoin Incentives**: Additional TON rewards will be provided to users who provide liquidity to stTON/USDt and tsTON/USDt pools with LSD. Rewards will also continue for TON/USDt pool liquidity providers.

In its initial phase, the incentive program will reward liquidity providers in the following liquidity pools on STON.fi and DeDust:

- TON + USDT 
- tsTON + USDT ([STON.fi](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQCdQZq6x_jrm4wAha4KUIVa0rtrz7avo6th9IWrIIa4RPSi) and [DeDust](https://dedust.io/pools/EQBkh7Mc411WTYF0o085MtwJpYpvGhZOMBphhIFzEpzlVODp))
- stTON + USDT ([STON.fi](https://app.ston.fi/pools/EQDF2ZcxaU211RVz3d6VUDMkeUkeCd03bzTc2LlotL5gV02n) and [DeDust](https://dedust.io/pools/EQCm92zFBkLe_qcFDp7WBvI6JFSDsm4WbDPvZ7xNd7nPL_6M))

## Access more trading pairs and liquidity pools with TON's USDt integration
With the participation of major DeFi protocols, this new incentive program will strengthen liquidity in the TON ecosystem. This program will bring several benefits to the TON Ecosystem and its users, including:

- Increased liquidity for USDt that strengthens the TON ecosystem and its constituent DeFi protocols.

- Additional arbitrage opportunities on-chain

- Growth of Average APR and Volume on-chain

- Increased chain security by staking for validators

In addition to trading opportunities, TON users will also reap the benefits of USDt's wider adoption and integration within the ecosystem.

Strengthening USDt on TON means users have a reliable and deeply liquid stablecoin to utilize across various TON DeFi protocols. Beyond ecosystem benefits, the more than [1M USDt-TON holders](https://t.me/toncoin/1515) will benefit, as USDt-TON continues to represent stable value and ease of transfer.

## Expanding incentives for the TON DeFi Ecosystem
Following the 5M Toncoin incentive program, TON Foundation may launch additional incentive programs for lending, perpetual DEXs, and other DeFi protocols to expand yield farming strategies available on TON.

This program underscores TON’s dedication to ecosystem growth. These token incentives will benefit existing users and attract new ones, leading to the continued exceptional growth of the TON ecosystem.



TON Foundation Launches New 5 Million Toncoin DeFi Incentive Program

We recently informed you about the formation of a new $40M TON Ventures fund focused on early-stage projects, and we're bringing another news related to this initiative. Today, TON Accelerator announced the launch of [TON:Acc](https://www.tonacc.org/), a new incubation program for promising start-ups building on The Open Network.

Since January 2024, TON's TVL has grown from $13.5M to $566.21M (as of August 16). The number of users and daily active TON addresses surpassed Ethereum, and with access to Telegram's 950M monthly active users, developers reaped the benefits of building on TON. TON: Acc aims to empower entrepreneurs to integrate their projects into TON's growing ecosystem as seamlessly as possible.

In [TON: Acc](https://www.tonacc.org/programs)'s inaugural cohort, TON Ventures will select five projects to receive an investment of up to $2.5 million to accelerate their growth. In the next three months, these projects will receive the support, funds, and expertise required to grow their businesses from ideas to working products.

> **Sophia Rusconi, Head of TON Accelerator, said,** "TON Blockchain's growth so far this year has only shown a tiny percentage of Telegram's potential as a distribution channel. Projects building on TON have an audience of 950 million ready and waiting to engage with their product. TON:Acc will help projects find a clear route to market, providing them with the funding, expertise, and support they need to become the next billion-dollar project on TON."

To support the program, TON Ventures also plans to launch TON: Acc Portal, a new ecosystem incubation platform. This portal will offer various features designed to provide early-stage projects with better access to support and reach while also giving investors a valuable channel to discover promising early-stage projects. 

Projects can apply for verification, granting them access to acceleration programs, mentorship opportunities, and TON Venture's partners' network. Through all of this, TON Ventures aims to arm the projects with the essential knowledge, resources, and opportunities to help start-ups take their next steps.

> "The tap-to-earn craze has opened many people's eyes to the powerful combination of TON and the Telegram Mini Apps platform. We are deeply convinced that this is simply the first phase of the TON ecosystem's growth, and we are incredibly excited to shepherd the next evolution of TON-based mini-apps that will bring real-world utility into Telegram's Web3 ecosystem," **said Ian W, Managing Partner of TON Ventures**.

Applications for the TON: Acc Incubation Program are now open.
**[Click to apply!](https://forms.gle/UimnmR9JUwg6jtL37)**

Stay in touch with TON Ventures and follow them on [Twitter](https://x.com/accelerator_ton) and [Telegram](https://t.me/accelerator_ton). 

TON Accelerator Launches $2.5 Million TON: Acc Incubator and TON: Acc Portal

This season, we’re drastically revamping the meaning of The Open League. In the past, we called it a competition, but we concluded this is incorrect as we’re all on the same mission: growing the TON ecosystem to reach 500 million active wallets and $1 billion in Total Value Locked (TVL).

**And we’re excited to announce The Open League season 6 will begin next week, September 12.**

Since TOL's inception, many projects on The Open Network have grown bigger, stronger, and more prominent. With new projects popping up regularly, TOL serves as a platform to offer new TON teams the spotlight they deserve. The goal is not to compete but to lift each other. 
Founders want loyal communities, and direct rewards play a role in that. Rewards attract users, showcase the product's value, and transform users into supporters and advocates.

Let’s see the changes coming into play in the upcoming season of The Open League. 

### **For Users**
TOL invites users to explore the fascinating TON Ecosystem, individual dApps, protocols, and Telegram Mini Apps. For your participation in The Open League and support of the projects building within the TON Ecosystem, we’ll reward you with airdrops to recognize your contributions and support your activity. 
- **Normie Airdrop:** This will take users on an exciting journey across projects participating in the App League, core DeFi protocols, and the vibrant NFT scene in the TON ecosystem.
- **Degen Airdrop:** Targeted at users with a higher risk profile, the Degen airdrop will guide them through the protocols participating in the DeFi League, including vaults, derivatives, bonding curve launchpads, and more.

To participate, you must mint your Normie and/or Degen SBT badge on the TON Society website. After minting, TOL will monitor your on-chain activity and consider it for airdrop distribution. And yes, you can participate in both airdrops simultaneously—there are no limits.

At the end of the season, you can check your Normie and Degen scores, and eligible participants will receive rewards. To boost your scores, users should complete target actions listed on the Airdrop page on the TON Society website. And don't forget to watch out for hints and additional instructions on TON's official social media channels.

### **For Projects**
Applications for TOL Season 6 are now open! Teams are welcome to apply to join the App League, DeFi League, and NFT League. Projects that participated in previous seasons don't need to re-apply but should check the eligibility criteria on TONResearch to ensure they can continue.

In Season 6, all App League participants will receive an airdrop for their eligible users as the primary reward. The top three performing teams will also earn an additional airdrop because their communities deserve recognition for being the most active.

**In the DeFi League**, we have the TVL Squad and the Volume Squad. Projects in the DeFi League will secure an airdrop for their protocol users. The best performers on the leaderboards will also have their audit costs covered. If your project has a Total TVL of less than $5 million or a Monthly Volume under $50 million, we're waiting for you.

**For the NFT League**, the top three collections on the leaderboard will share a prize pool of credits for Telegram ads and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) campaigns by the end of the season.

**SPECIAL!**
The best performers in each League will also be eligible for *Gateway Special edition benefits -* speaking slots, booths, promotion and free tickets - how cool is that!

**For more details and the exact rules of TOL Season 6, [visit our public Notion](https://ton-org.notion.site/The-Leagues-S6-2edaf02d110341b48c275ca2a46eef34?pvs=4).**

To learn more details on the airdrops and projects Leagues, see[ the updated rules](https://ton.org/open-league?filterBy=forProjects).
## **Season 5 Success Sets the Stage for Season 6**
Season 5 of The Open League saw remarkable achievements and milestones.
- The season saw a 48% increase in active on-chain users, jumping from 743,706 to 993,876.
- The total TON TVL with LP Boosts rose by $750k, maintaining an average APR of 50%.
- The season also introduced 700k daily active wallets and recorded an impressive $130M in daily volumes on DEXs.

Moreover, over 2 million new active wallets were created during this season. As we look forward to Season 6, these successes set a strong foundation for future growth and innovation in the TON ecosystem. The upcoming season promises even more exciting developments and opportunities for participants.

The Open League is more than just a competition—it's a thriving ecosystem where projects grow together. 

**Get ready for Season 6 by [submitting your application today](https://www.notion.so/ton-org/How-to-submit-your-application-on-TONResearch-c9827f6f60fc4f64b6e8701a96643044).**


Open League Season 6 Is Bringing Airdrops and New Changes

Another day, another TON Innovators interview introducing you to the best of the best from within the TON Ecosystem. Under the spotlight today is **[Fanton Fantasy](https://fan-ton.com/)**, a Telegram game that redefines the fantasy league experience by merging the competitiveness of traditional fantasy football with blockchain and Telegram.

Fanton offers a unique experience in which you compete in fantasy football tournaments against the rest of the world, vying for the top spot and attractive rewards. The game operates through Telegram in a seamless and accessible user interface, where you draft your teams, compete in various tournaments, and earn points based on your squad's real-world performance. 

Fanton is capturing the masses, and its success is underscored by being [recognized as the Top Product of the Week by Product Hunt](https://fan-ton.com/producthunt/). Fanton is a leader in the fantasy sports industry, and its exciting roadmap includes expansion into other sports, enhanced features, and customizable tournaments. 

Now, let’s get to the interview. 


*This interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement, approval, or recommendation of the project. The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TON Foundation. This is not an investment advice.*



---

## TON Innovators: Fanton
**Welcome to TON Innovators, Fanton. Your team can be considered one of the OGs of the TON and TG ecosystem, so tell us where it all started.**

Hello, community. This is Fanton CEO, Eldar! The Fanton journey began while I was working for one of the largest loyalty programs in Eastern Europe. I envisioned creating Fanton there. At the time, I was in charge of gamification. We made games with the bonuses of this loyalty system. One of my ideas was a fantasy football game, but bureaucratic red tape stalled its development.

After learning about the TON ecosystem from my friend, who launched one of the most successful NFT collections on TON at the time, which sold for $2 million, I thought fantasy sports and the NFT could coexist harmoniously. By then, it was only possible to create mini-ups inside Telegram. 

I shared my idea with Vadim Sterlin, a friend and university classmate. We realized that a similar game already existed. However, we believed we could create a superior gaming experience for Telegram and TON users. 

We discussed this concept for several months, but fear held us back. After Vadim’s Vipassana retreat, we gained the courage to proceed. We invited our former Kaspersky Lab colleague, Aleksey, to join the project. Together, we started creating the Fanton project. We’re thrilled with the results. 

**Your team is one of the very few that is doxxed and does not hide behind pseudonyms. Can you introduce us to the core people driving Fanton?**

We revealed our faces from the start to show our seriousness and commitment. By opening our faces, we made it clear that this project means a lot to us, and we are ready to put our reputation on the line and do our best to make everything work out for us. We are still doing it. 

From the beginning, we attended the AMA sessions with open faces and communicated openly with our audience. In Web3, this transparency is crucial. Projects featuring visible founders inspire trust as teams and individuals risk their reputations.

To believe in investing your time or money, of course, something may not work out, the business may work without it, and the percentage of companies that grow to self-sufficiency is growing. The percentage is tiny, but these are the things that, in my opinion, allow the project to be more open with its audience and more honest. 

- Our team is led by myself, Eldar Khayretdinov as CEO

- Vadim Sterlin - COO and co-founder

- Aleksey Frolagin - CTO

We started this project from the ground up. Sergey Lyadov, our head of community, and Igor Bael, our commercial director, joined us later. While we could list many team members, each is essential to our success. I decided to name just the top-level directorial positions.

And, of course, our community, which helps us with advice, ideas, and so much more. A vibrant, engaging community is vital in any Web3 project. As they say in football, the 12th player is the fan. And here, our 12th player is our community.

**Let’s assume I’m new to the concept of fantasy football. How do I begin with Fanton? Do I need to do my research first, or can I jump straight into it?** 

If we talk about the fantasy football genre, you must love and like football to play and have fun. Everything is simple.
•	You select five players for free and see what results you get.
•	Analyze your results to understand the scoring system, what actions earn points, and how fantasy football works.
•	After the first tournament, you can try several more free tournaments. And even though you can earn tickets to paid tournaments, these require better skills.

If you’re already a fantasy football fan, you’ll find it easy to immerse yourself in our game. We've worked hard to simplify onboarding into Fanton tournaments for everyone, and it's clear that our efforts are paying off. 

We hope we’ll make the simplest fantasy football in history due to Telegram’s simplicity and convenience, as well as the fact that we make our fantasy convenient, understandable, and beautiful for most users. At least, we hope that this is the case, and indeed, we find confirmation of this among our audience, most of whom learned about the fantasy football genre only thanks to our project and became active fans of fantasy football.

**What makes Fanton Fantasy different from traditional fantasy football platforms?**

1.	First, user-friendliness and integration inside Telegram make it possible to attract native users. Users don’t need to download the application or log in to the website. 

2.	Secondly, a simple Fantasy Football format; you only need to choose five players, and your team is ready. We also allow anyone from anywhere in the world to register for membership. 

3.	Lastly, users can pay in TON or Telegram stars, which is quite simple and native to any player who is not even familiar with crypto. It's easy enough to understand, register, and figure out how a game of this genre works.

**Let’s discuss the NFT aspect of the game. Do I need to own Fanton NFTs to play the game, or do they provide players with some edge in tournaments?** 

NFT cards were crucial catalysts for our project, providing the initial funding to develop the game. Initially, we launched a collection of football players, and after that, we developed a product that you can play using these NFT cards. Each NFT card belongs to one of three categories: 


- **Legendary** - of which there is only one for each football player

- **Epic** - of which there are only three

- **Rare** - there will be only 12 for each player

Each NFT rarity has its coefficient: Legendary—х2, Epic—x1,75, and Rare—x1,5. 

To facilitate participation, we offer both NFT tournaments and Common tournaments. While NFT tournaments require participants to own an NFT card, Common tournaments allow players to choose any player for different positions, regardless of NFT ownership. The model makes the game accessible to more people.

Currently, NFT tournaments and NFT cards appeal to collectors and gamers. These digital assets can also be investments, offering potential returns through gameplay.

**Fanton offers a variety of leagues, teams, and nationalities from which to pick the players. Do you plan to expand the list? Are there any new leagues players can look forward to?** 

We currently have eight leagues in the game, including the top European leagues (England, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the Russian, Brazilian, and the MLS championships. We plan to increase the number of leagues, and this season, we aim to add leagues such as the Saudi Arabian league (Rest of the World), possibly the Turkish league, and others. 

Our team is currently discussing these additions, keeping in mind the needs of our customers. We want to ensure that the engaging tournaments complement our leagues. These new leagues must be appealing and in demand to attract interest. Given the growing number of Chinese users on Telegram, we are also considering adding the Chinese League. Further tournaments are still under discussion. I believe we will expand the number of leagues.

**What drove you to launch Fanton as a Telegram game?**

Over two years ago, Telegram introduced the ability to create mini-apps. Inspired by this, our friend launched an NFT collection on TON called Animal Red List, which earned $2 million. This success made us realize that fantasy football was a perfect fit for NFTs and that we could create a fantasy football game within Telegram. 

Since TON and Telegram complement each other so well, we saw an opportunity to simplify this process and make it intuitive for Web2 users. Web3, in this context, becomes a product designed for Web2 users, utilizing familiar Web2 mechanics.

The cost of attracting users appeared to be much lower than on traditional websites, where users need to register. With Telegram, users can log in using their Telegram ID without additional registration. There's no need to download a separate mobile app, either—if you have Telegram, you simply click 'start,' and the game begins.

Recognizing the potential of creating a game within Telegram in the fantasy football genre, we moved forward with our idea, and it has successfully found its audience. Moreover, Telegram allows users to manage channels, facilitate interactive chats, and share various updates. These advantages benefit those who love our game and want to receive news promptly.

Through Telegram channels, we can publish news for fans of our game, facilitate user chats, and directly communicate with them. We can also conduct video AMA sessions where we appear on camera, answer questions, address user concerns, and maintain an open dialogue. Having the game itself integrated into Telegram is incredibly convenient. Recognizing the potential, we decided to launch our game on Telegram.

**How does Fanton’s use of blockchain affect the fantasy sports experience?**

Blockchain technology allows us to attract many users worldwide to our game, as anyone with a crypto wallet can participate in our paid tournaments. Additionally, we offer free games where users can join, get onboarded, and explore Web3 through engaging mechanics tailored for football fans, particularly in the fantasy sports genre. Launching our project as a Web3 initiative allows us to attract investments, grow our project, and build a strong community by introducing our token.

For those who have been with us from the start and believe in our project, our token offers the chance to earn through in-game mechanics and by being early supporters. After launching our token, players can earn it through various game mechanics and airdrops, allowing them to profit from their early involvement in the project. This approach has helped us attract and retain an audience from the very beginning, as users are engaged not only with the game itself but also with the potential to earn from their loyalty and early participation in the project.

**What is the $FTON token? On which launchpads will the IDO take place?**

We are gearing up for the launch of $FTON, the utility token for the Fanton game. $FTON will be one of the first major tokens on TON with in-game utility. This week, we announced significant investments from top investors, including Animoca Brands, Delphi Digital, Kenetic Capital, and Hashkey. 

We also want to highlight the support we've received from the Notcoin and Tonstarter acceleration program—it's been an invaluable experience, and we’re grateful for their assistance. Additionally, we have powerful launchpads lined up for the upcoming IDO, including Magic Square, Eesee, and another exciting one. We’re optimistic about a bullish listing season this fall!

**What upcoming features and expansions can players look forward to in Fanton?**

We are actively integrating the $FTON token into our game mechanics. After $FTON's launch, we plan to gradually switch from TON to $FTON as the token users will use to take part in our paid tournaments and buy NFT cards within our product. We will also allow $FTON holders to stake the token and earn a percentage through staking.

Additionally, we are adapting the NFT tournament system, which will be introduced in the coming months, making the gameplay even more engaging. As described in our channels, the NFT tournament will also introduce a new Seasonal tournament format, which was well-received during Euro 2024 when we first tested it.

Our upcoming updates will introduce new tournament formats, including Single Match tournaments. In this format, players have the freedom to choose five players from any position. The new format will increase the variety of choices and allow for more creative team compositions, enhancing competition among players.

We’ll introduce a 'Cap' system in our tournaments, starting with the NFT tournaments. A cap sets a maximum limit on the number of points users can use to build their teams. It ensures players choose the top-rated, well-known players, and mix in lesser-known players, making squad selection more creative and strategic.

We’re also considering launching a web version of our game, targeting the European audience. Since football is popular in Europe, and many people already enjoy fantasy football, this is a natural expansion. Although the current Telegram audience in Europe is limited, creating a web version will help us reach new users who can easily transition to Telegram, where they can enjoy a more convenient and enjoyable gaming experience. Lastly, we're negotiating with well-known football players, clubs, and major sponsors to enrich our platform.









TON Innovators: Fanton

We are at a tipping point. Governments, corporations, and political correctness are tightening their grip on our most fundamental human rights: freedom of speech and digital privacy. Our lives—our memories, our messages, our data—are all online, vulnerable to surveillance and censorship. The threat is real, and it’s growing every day.

Pavel Durov’s arrest in France reignited the fire of #DigitalResistance. Durov has stood as a symbol of the guardian of people’s privacy for years. Today, it’s our turn to carry the torch.

## **Free speech is under attack globally**
In recent weeks, free speech has come under attack. Elon Musk was threatened by an EU politician for hosting a live interview with a presidential candidate, citing concerns it would interfere with the US election. In the UK, the government reacted to riots surrounding immigration by threatening and even jailing citizens for their online posts. A clip of a vice presidential candidate surfaced, shockingly declaring that “Free speech is not guaranteed.”

These events are not isolated—they are part of a broader, coordinated effort to silence free speech and freedom of expression. Just today, Mark Zuckerberg admitted to censoring across Meta platforms at the behest of the US Government. Now, with Pavel Durov detained, reportedly under the pretense of lack of moderation, the situation has reached a critical point. Even the CEO of Rumble, a platform dedicated to free expression, reportedly faced threats from governments, forcing him to flee Europe for his safety.

This is more than just a series of incidents. This is an assault on the fundamental rights that uphold our societies. We must act now.

### **The Birth of Resistance Dog**
In 2018, the government tried to censor Telegram, a messaging app that became a bastion of privacy and free speech. They demanded encryption keys, wanting to spy on millions of users. Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, refused to comply. The government responded by blocking over 18 million IP addresses, causing chaos across the internet. But Durov didn’t back down. Instead, he launched the #DigitalResistance—a global movement to fight censorship and defend digital privacy.

 ![protest.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/protest_e05863b756/protest_e05863b756.png) 
<small>[(Source Pavel Durov, 2018)](https://t.me/durov/80)</small>

The symbol of this movement is the dog in the hood: the Resistance Dog. In 2011, Pavel Durov was ordered to eradicate the posts of liberal thinkers and dissidents. In response, Pavel posted a picture of his dog, refusing to silence anyone on his platform. Since then, this dog has become the mascot of free speech. It has become an emblem of hope, incredible strength, and courage.

 ![resistance dog.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/resistance_dog_acc9f01b8e/resistance_dog_acc9f01b8e.jpg) 
<small> Left: (Source: [Twitpic.com](http://twitpic.com/7q9vtx)); Right: (Source: [VK](https://vk.com/durov?z=photo1_456306143%2Fphotos1)/[Pavel Durov](https://vk.com/durov)) </small>

### **Resistance in Action**
The government attack on Telegram wasn’t just an assault on an app—it was an assault on freedom. But the people fought back. Durov called for a peaceful protest, urging the supporters of free internet to fly paper planes from their windows. This simple act of defiance caught fire. The planes became another symbol of resistance, a reminder that the people would not be silenced.

 ![Untitled design(9).png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/Untitled_design_9_dfa2ac3024/Untitled_design_9_dfa2ac3024.png) 


The movement spread. On April 30, 2018, thousands of advocates took to the streets, standing up for their right to communicate freely. The Resistance Dog was everywhere. Despite continued efforts to block Telegram, the community found ways to keep the app alive, and the government’s two-year ban crumbled, proving that the people's will could not be broken.

### **The Urgent Call to Action**
Fast-forward to August 24, 2024. Pavel Durov is detained in France under mysterious circumstances. Outrage erupts across the globe. The Telegram and TON communities rally behind him, changing their profile pictures to the Resistance Dog and flooding social media with the hashtag #FreeDurov, forcing the response of French President Emmanuel Macron himself.

 ![dogs.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ton-strapi/dogs_98f1702f24/dogs_98f1702f24.jpg) 

This symbolic change goes deeper than solidarity. Memes are powerful representations of culture, a shortcut to an emotional feeling. TON Community and Toncoin’s culture, seen through Resistance Dog as the #DigitalResistance sends a powerful message: we stand united in protecting fundamental rights—**the right to privacy and the freedom to speak our minds.**

This gesture is not just about showing support—it’s an act of resistance. It’s a declaration that the values of the #DigitalResistance are non-negotiable, and we will not compromise.

This is more than just a battle for one man’s freedom. It’s a battle for our future. Freedom of speech and the right to privacy are not negotiable—they are the foundation of society. If we allow anyone to strip these rights away, we risk losing everything.

> “First they came for Tiktok, and I did not speak out—
>     Because I was not twelve years old. Then they came for Telegram, and I did not speak out—
>      Because I was using some other app or sth idk. Then they came for literally every other platform for dissent, and I did not speak out—
>      because bro how tf could i that's the entire point wake up wake up wa—” 
> **[Edward Snowden on X, 25/08/2024](https://x.com/Snowden/status/1827702193572446348)**

## **Join the #DigitalResistance**
The time to act is now. We must rise up, not just for Durov, but for ourselves, our children, and the future of society. The #DigitalResistance is not a movement of the past—it’s alive, and it needs you.

- **Activate the Resistance Pack:** Show your support with #FreeDurov.
- **Spread the word:** Share this message, use the hashtag, and update your avatar to the Resistance Dog.
- **Have your voice heard!** Today, we will issue our Open Letter to French Authorities, gathering signatures from everyone who believes in free speech and privacy. This fight is far from over. Be ready; we are building a movement that will not stop.

**Stay vigilant. Stay strong. Resist. #FREEDUROV** 💎✊







Join the #DigitalResistance and Fight for Your Freedoms!

Following the [successful integration of USDt on TON to over 60 platforms in July](https://blog.ton.org/us-dt-on-ton-is-expanding-horizons-with-over-60-new-integrations), we’re once again making waves with an additional 29 integrations that now support the biggest stablecoin in the world. Together with a recently published list of [key infrastructure providers that simplify the integration of USDt on TON](https://blog.ton.org/simplifying-integration-of-usdt-on-ton-key-infrastructure-providers), we’re now at well over 100 total partners, our initial goal set up in June this year. TON Society’s commitment to making USDt on TON the most accessible stablecoin in the world is now closer than ever before.

The 29 new integrations span across centralized exchanges, DeFi, onramps, wallets, and more. The added collaborations bring an even wider range of options for users to trade, transfer, and use USDt within the TON Ecosystem. 


**Exchanges**
- Binance Turkey
- BingX
- Bitget
- Bitmart
- Bybit Turkey
- CoinEx
- Coins.ph
- Coinstore
- LetsExchange
- Tokocrypto
- WhiteBit

**Onramps (Buy & Sell)**
- ChangeHero
- Cryptomus
- Kotani Pay
- Onmeta
- Simplex

**Wallets**
- OKX Wallet
- TokenPocket
- Trust Wallet
- f(x)Wallet

**Other**
- BitStore - Payments
- Citypay  - Payments
- Cobo - Custodian
- Coinsbee - Giftcards
- Dfns - Infrastructure
- Prime Vault - Custodian
- Sul Payments - Payments
- WhitePay - Payments

We want to thank all our partners for their support and interest in working with TON and becoming a part of this amazing ecosystem. With over 100 partners, we achieved a great milestone, but this is not the end, but rather just the beginning. 

### **How To Get Involved**
Your participation and feedback are essential as we continue to roll out these integrations. Want to join us on our journey? Stay informed, get involved, and spread the word.
Follow us on [Telegram](https://t.me/ton_society_bot) and [X](https://x.com/ton_society) to keep up with our integration roadmap updates. 

Be the first to learn about new partnerships and their benefits for you. Explore how you may use USDt on TON with our partners and demonstrate the strength of the TON Ecosystem for yourself. Your experience will help shape the future of Web3. We’re putting crypto in every pocket, so don’t keep it to yourself! Share the experience with your friends because the more people who know about the benefits of USDt on TON, the stronger our community will become.


USDt on TON Is Now Available on Over 100 Platforms Worldwide

TON Society is beginning a new journey by becoming an independent organization. This strategic shift will elevate community engagement, enhance transparency, and democratize access to the operations and assets of TON community. 

As an independent entity, TON Society will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the TON Ecosystem by focusing on three core goals:
1. Creating TON activists
2. Expanding awareness of TON ecosystem
3. Democratizing community assets

## **Making Progress**
Over the past year, TON Society starting as a grassroots community program, has grown into real movement. Making giant leaps toward achieving our first two goals—empowering individuals and increasing the ecosystem's visibility. Through successful initiatives, including the Open League Hackathon, Local Hubs, Onchain Badges (SBTs), and the Ambassador Program, we have collectively proven that our community is not just active but capable of remarkable collective action. This is a testament to your dedication and the strength of the TON Community.

#### **The Ambassador Program - TON Syndicate**
The Ambassador Program opened the doors to the most active community members to become official TON Ambassadors and launch their own local initiatives with the support of TON Society. 
- Over 100 ambassadors with 4 of them progressing to roles at TON Society
- We hosted over 50 global events and roughly 40 TON Breakfasts, totalling more than 5,000 attendees
- Our ambassadors hosted 2 bootcamps in Tbilisi, Georgia and Minsk, Belarus with both events being the best in terms of participating projects.

#### **The Open League Hackathon - Hackers League**
The biggest TON hackathon to date was a golden opportunity for emerging projects to receive major rewards and connect with millions of Telegram users. 
- We hosted 13 bootcamps in with 1,970 attendees
- Over 1,000 projects applied and 3,664 hackers participated in the hackathon
- In total, we awarded $590,000 in TON rewards and $240,000 in Telegram Ads credits. 
- The judges selected 28 winning teams, 14 of which came through the TON Society Bootcamps



#### **TON Society - Local Hubs, Fun Events and Onchain Reputation**
The Society took on an unprecedented growth over the past few months, capturing the attention of over 9M users and expanding to a total of 9 local hubs. In addition, TS launched a new platform designed to engage and encourage the TON Community. 
- Launched TON Society platform that rewards active members with on-chain badges, Soul Bound Tokens (SBTs for short) that cannot be transferred and stay in your wallet as a permanent badge of honor.
- The total number of active members of TS grew by 700% and Activist members increased by 17,000%.
- TS platform issued and distributed over 600,000 SBTs to more than 500,000 unique wallets.

Simultaneously, TON Community and TON Society channels have seen skyrocketing growth, attracting individuals from highly diverse and multicultural backgrounds around the globe. The TON Community represents the inclusivity and reach of the TON Ecosystem. Our diversity is our strength, and it serves as a powerful testament to the worldwide appeal and impact of The Open Network. As we move forward, TON Society will continue to build on this foundation, ensuring that our community remains vibrant, engaged, and empowered to shape the future of TON.

## **How do you properly represent a diverse community?**
While TON community has achieved so much in  such a short period, this brings up a logical question: how do we accurately represent a community as diverse as ours? 

With individuals from all around the world with various perspectives and ideals, achieving a consensus seems impossible. It’s difficult enough to find consensus among a team of ten individuals, let alone a community that will eventually grow to hundreds of millions of people.

Simply, you can’t. Our conclusion is you don’t try to force consensus. Instead, you find a way to identify the majority opinion within the community and empower it to represent TON Ecosystem. Let the community decide the direction of The Open Network. 
To give the community a seat at the table, we must ensure that their voices are heard—not just symbolically, but in a way that influences the direction of TON. While many decentralized communities claim to do exactly that, they more often than not fall short in organizing these voices or achieving a community-wide consensus. 

For these reasons, TON Society is going independent, with a clear focus: the further decentralization of TON. As an independent group of TON contributors, we can serve as the storyteller of the TON Community. TON Society will not represent a single entity or a board of directors. Our objective is to create structures and processes that enable and encourage community consensus, ensuring that you, our community, set the direction of TON. We can all look forward to this future with confidence and optimism. 

## **The Plan.**
To realize our goals, we put together a comprehensive plan that builds on our past successes and introduces new initiatives to bootstrap TON community to new heights. This plan revolves around three key pillars: creating TON activists, raising awareness of TON ecosystem, and decentralizing TON’s community assets.

### **Goal 1: Creating TON Activists.**
At the heart of TON Society's mission is our belief that activists drive a strong and active community. A Web3 community without active contributors risks stagnation, taking from the community more than it gives back. On the other hand, a community rich with activists will sustain itself and thrive, contributing more than it takes. We focus on transforming passive members into active contributors—TON Activists who are engaged, motivated, and ready to drive TON Community forward.

**Key Initiatives:** 
- **TS onchain badges (SBTs):** This platform will recognize and reward community members for participating in TON Ecosystem through onchain badges that nurture a culture of achievement.
- **TS Hackers League with boot camps and hackathons:** These events will create a hands-on environment for developers and builders to collaborate and build within TON ecosystem. Together, we will turn ideas into projects with real impact.  
- **TON Ecosystem Portal:** As a TON Activist, this will be your home, a hub where you can find resources and tools to help you support the ecosystem. 
- **TON Nest:** This dedicated space for builders and developers will help you network and collaborate with other participants in the Builders Community and drive innovation.
- **Syndicate Ambassadors Program:** The Ambassador Program will focus on community activists who represent TON in their regions, spread awareness, educate others, and build local TON Society communities and hubs.
- **User onboarding programs:** Through these programs, we want to introduce new users to the TON Ecosystem and arm them with the knowledge and tools required to become active participants.

### **Goal 2: Raising TON Ecosystem Awareness.**
All of the above is for nothing if no one knows about TON. Building awareness of TON Ecosystem is the key to its growth. TON Society will begin to operate all official TON Community channels, creating consistent, high-quality communication across the board. As an ecosystem journalist, TON Society will gather and publish the community’s best stories, helping them reach a global audience and inspiring more people to join the movement.

**Key initiatives:**
- **Content production & publishing:** TON Society will create and distribute impactful content that promotes TON Community’s innovations and stories.
- **TON events:** We will organize and promote major events like The Gateway that draw attention to TON Ecosystem and highlight its achievements and potential.
- **TON public relations:** Our PR team will build and maintain strong relationships with the media to achieve global coverage of TON developments and community.
- **TON Voices:** We will amplify the voices of community members by giving them a platform to share their experiences and ideas with a broader audience.
- **Creators program:** This program will support content creators within TON Ecosystem and incentivize them to create impactful content.
- **Advertising:** We will run advertising campaigns to onboard new audiences, primarily through the Telegram Ads platform.
- **TON merch store:** The new TON merch store will create and sell TON merchandise so everyone can show their support for the TON Community.

### **Goal 3: Democratizing TON’s Community Assets.**
A democratized ecosystem can only be built by deeply engaged individuals with a strong sense of agency. TON Society is committed to developing transparent processes that allow the community’s opinions to be heard, organized, and acted upon. By creating structures that promote consensus and collective action, we can ensure that the TON Community’s assets are managed to reflect the true will of its members.

**Key initiatives:**
- **Monthly community reporting & quarterly community town halls:** TON Society will produce regular updates and host town halls to ensure transparency and allow the community to stay informed, share their feedback, and participate in decision-making.
- **Onchain reputation protocol:** We will establish a protocol that tracks and verifies the contributions and reputation of community members, setting positive examples incentivizing participation and leadership.
- **Onchain debate & governance platform:** To decentralize governance, we will launch a platform that allows community members to debate and come to a consensus onchain, thereby influencing decision-making.

These are just the main initiatives we’re working on, and we will make changes and improvements as we move forward. Through these initiatives, we’re committed to empowering the TON Community and giving it a voice.

## **Finding consensus in opinions.**
We will soon reveal more details about the process and the upcoming governance platform. This platform is designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in any decentralized community: finding a true consensus of opinion onchain.

Our focus is to find and organize community consensus in a way that is transparent, equitable, and representative of the majority. We will introduce a method for community members to earn and build their reputation onchain. This reputation will not only serve as a badge of trust and engagement but will also play a role in the weighting of opinions during debates and decision-making. 

You will accumulate a reputation as you contribute to the community through participation in debates, development efforts, attending events, completing quests, participating in partner campaigns, or other forms of engagement. As you spend more time and contribute to the ecosystem, your reputation will grow, and you'll earn recognition as a respected member of the community. This recognition serves as a 'badge of honor,' and with it, your influence and voice will become more powerful over time. 

## **Independence is just the beginning.**
TON Society’s move toward independence is the beginning of the evolution of TON Ecosystem. TON Society is co-founded and led by Jack Booth and Ekin Tuna experienced and proven ex-directors of TON Foundation, who are now shifting their focus to decentralization as a key objective while staying true to putting crypto in every pocket. 

**TON Society is committed to:**
- **Creating Activists:** We will engage the community through onchain achievements and reputation-building. By publishing our plans, reporting on progress publicly, and actively inviting community input, we aim to build a network of contributors deeply engaged in TON’s success.
- **Raising Ecosystem Awareness**: Acting as the ecosystem's storyteller, TON Society will boost the community's most important voices and projects. Through our media channels across Telegram, X, YouTube, and the web, we will spotlight the stories that matter the most and help them reach a global audience.
- **Democratizing TON:** We aim to develop an onchain reputation, rewarding activity with influence. With influence, comes the responsibility to shape the direction of TON. Beyond just decentralization in theory, it’s about giving the community the power to shape the future of TON and allowing your voice to be heard. 

The vision for TON is ambitious, and there will be challenges, but with TON Community leading the charge, we’re confident we'll achieve our goals by 2028. 

Together, we will put crypto in every pocket by building a global Web3 ecosystem within Telegram and empowering over 500 million users to truly own their digital assets. Achieving this goal will require a highly active community that acts in symbiosis, with a real stake and ownership in TON’s future.

TON Society is proud to participate in this journey, and we invite you to get involved. Build your onchain reputation and shape the future of TON. There’s much more to come, and we’re just getting started.

