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 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.

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).

Types of NFTs on TON—and where to find them

1. NFT Gifts 🎁

NFT Gifts are Telegram-issued digital presents with real value. You can buy them directly on Telegram or on secondary marketplaces like Getgems, Fragment, or Tonnel.

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.

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.

Source: Telegram

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.

Source: Telegram

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.

Source: Telegram

Buy Gifts with Toncoin (TON) on NFT marketplaces

Secondary marketplaces offer more choice and control when buying NFT Gifts. On platforms like Getgems, Fragment, and Tonnel, 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, letting you earn passive rewards while holding onto your collectibles.

Pavel Durov spent 10,000 TON ($34,500) buying up Telegram NFT Gifts!

He has now got an all gold Digital Flex!

His Social Staking just went up 📈 pic.twitter.com/RoztJdLCO4

— Zenith 🩶 (@ZenithTON) March 17, 2025

2. NFT Stickers 🐥

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, $TON, $NOT, $DOGS, $USDT, or $PX in the Sticker Store 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.

Pudgy is one of the best NFT collections.

Luca Netz, one of the best builders, is the founder of Pudgy Penguins.

Now, he's giving us the next alpha:
Telegram stickers on $TON.
I'd add NFT Gifts there also.

It's much bigger than we imagine.

Study and stay positioned. pic.twitter.com/tA3j4YdJOS

— Gio (@Giooton) March 10, 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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, Tonkeeper, or MyTonWallet, grab some TON, and start exploring GetGems, Fragment, and Tonnel.

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

NFTs on TON have early BAYC Vibes

— EthanDG (@0xEthanDG) March 10, 2025

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.