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 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, 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, 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 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.

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:

• TON Dev Chat (EN)
• TON Dev Chat (РУ)
• TON Dev Chat (中文)