Introduction
In mid-September, the TON Foundation announced a formal partnership with Telegram, one of the top three crypto-friendly social media platforms. This collaboration aims to integrate and promote the TON network ecosystem to Telegram’s 800 million active users, with a goal of converting 30% (240 million users) into active TON network participants by 2028. Originally developed by Telegram in 2018, TON faced legal challenges and investor withdrawals, leading to its handover to community developers in 2020. Recent years saw intermittent ties between TON and Telegram, but this official partnership solidifies their synergy, reconnecting users, developers, and communities.
The rapid rise of Telegram Bots this year highlights the potential of combining social media with decentralized finance (DeFi). Deep integration with Telegram positions TON as a formidable competitor. While the TON ecosystem is still nascent, projects leveraging this integration stand out. Below, we explore such initiatives.
Key Ecosystem Projects
Wallets
Wallet in Telegram
TON’s official wallet, seamlessly integrated into Telegram post-announcement, appears under "Wallet" in Telegram’s settings. Features include:
- TON Space: Self-custody solution with email/Telegram account recovery.
- Wallet Bot & TON Connect: Streamlined access and interoperability.
- Fiat Onboarding: Supports TON, USDT, and BTC purchases via bank cards and P2P trading.
Native DEXs (Integrated with Wallet in Telegram)
| DEX | Highlights | TVL | 24h Volume |
|--------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------|
| DeDust | SDK & Protocol 2.0 (cross-chain support) | $294K | $13.5K |
| OPTUS | TON-funded; plans for gasless trading | — | — |
| Megaton | Certik-audited; governance token (MEGA) | $4.97M | $2.9K |
Perpetual Contracts
Storm Trade
- Testnet Phase: Virtual AMM model with 30,000 STORM rewards pool (3% of total supply).
- Metrics: $350B+ testnet volume; Telegram integration planned.
Lending
EvAA Protocol
- Telegram Integration: Borrow/lend via
@EvaaAppBot. - Supported Assets: TON, jUSDT, jUSDC ($2.4K deposits).
Liquid Staking
Hipo
- Testnet: Offers hTON tokens; 6.25% fee on validator rewards.
- Rewards: 55 NFTs distributed to testers.
NFT Marketplaces
| Platform | Focus | Top NFT (Floor Price) |
|-------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
| Getgems | General trading | Telegram Usernames (6 TON) |
| TON Diamonds | Art auctions | Official NFT (34.5 TON) |
| Fragment | Telegram usernames/numbers| — |
Gaming
Cards Ahoy!
- Fast-Paced Card Game: 60-second matches; 1.17M pre-registrations.
- TON Integration: Game Console NFTs for future rewards.
Fanton: Fantasy Football
- Free2Play: Earn TON/NFTs via tournaments; FNTF token planned.
Launchpad
Tonstarter
- Telegram Integration: Fundraising, airdrops, and tasks within chats.
- Notable Launches: Fanton, TON Diamonds, Storm Trade.
FAQ
Q1: How does TON benefit from Telegram’s user base?
A1: Direct access to 800M+ active users accelerates adoption, especially for integrated apps like Wallet and DeFi tools.
Q2: What makes TON’s DeFi unique?
A2: Native Telegram integration reduces friction—users can trade, stake, or borrow without leaving the app.
Q3: Are TON NFTs gaining traction?
A3: Yes, platforms like Fragment and Getgems see high volumes, driven by Telegram username trading.