- Telegram has partnered exclusively with TON, making it the sole blockchain infrastructure for all crypto-related Mini Apps on the platform by February 2025.
- This move aims to enhance user protection against increasing crypto scams, centralizing Telegram’s crypto services under the more secure TON blockchain.
Telegram has announced a major shift in its blockchain strategy, making TON (Telegram Open Network) its exclusive blockchain partner. The decision, revealed in a statement on the platform, marks a deeper collaboration with the TON Foundation and is aimed at providing a more consistent and secure experience for Telegram users.
As previously highlighted in a CNF update, Telegram’s TON Blockchain is preparing for a U.S. breakthrough under a pro-crypto presidency. Further, as shared in a recent tweet by the official TON X account, it was revealed that Telegram and $TON are going exclusive!.
Telegram and $TON are going exclusive!
All mini-apps on Telegram will now exclusively use TON as their blockchain infrastructure. All mini-apps that do not currently use TON should migrate by February 21, 2025. So let’s get on with it!
Also, TON Connect becomes the… pic.twitter.com/QcGN6ALmb7
— TON
(@ton_blockchain) January 21, 2025
It was also mentioned that all mini-apps on Telegram will now exclusively use TON as their blockchain infrastructure. Any mini-apps that do not currently use TON must migrate by February 21, 2025.
The move means that all Mini Apps and games on Telegram with cryptocurrency functionalities must now use the TON blockchain. Developers relying on other blockchains, such as Sui and Aptos, will need to migrate to TON by February 21, 2025, or lose access to Telegram’s crypto features.
This exclusivity is seen as a way to improve user safety, particularly in light of a sharp rise in crypto scams on the platform. Recent data from Scam Sniffer reported a 2,000% increase in phishing attacks on Telegram since November 2024.
By consolidating crypto operations within TON, Telegram aims to enforce stricter security measures, reducing vulnerabilities and offering better protection for users.
Alongside the migration, Telegram will also make TON Connect the sole wallet integration for all Mini Apps, except in bridging cases. The Telegram-TON partnership, revived after Telegram’s regulatory troubles with the TON project in 2020, has led to the introduction of features like the TON Wallet and crypto-based games. Telegram plans to expand these offerings with new projects, including using TON for tradable NFTs.
Security Concerns and User Protection
While the initiative is positioned as a step forward for user experience and security, it has sparked criticism, especially from developers. Critics argue that the move undermines the decentralization ideals of Web3, forcing developers into a closed ecosystem.
To support the transition, the TON Foundation is offering grants of up to $50,000 to projects that move within a 30-day window. However, projects that previously received grants from TON are excluded from this support.
As of now, TON is priced at $5.13, showing a decrease of 2.24% in the past 24 hours and 7.49% over the past week. See TON price chart below.
