The research in this article is based on in-depth analysis by Animoca Brands Research, and all data, statistics and insights are taken from its report "TON Part 1: TON + Telegram = The Road to 1 Billion Web3 Users? 》 and “TON Part 2: Win-win results after one year of cooperation”. For more detailed analysis and raw data, please see the full report from Animoca Brands Research.
TON and Telegram’s collaboration: a key driver of Web3 adoption
It’s now easier than ever to send digital tokens to friends, play blockchain games, and own digital collectibles. All this is thanks to TON’s deep integration with Telegram. As a communication platform with more than 950 million users worldwide, Telegram has built-in Web3 functions, allowing blockchain technology to be seamlessly integrated into daily life and eliminating the technical barriers to traditional cryptocurrency applications.
TON was originally developed by Telegram and later evolved into a decentralized, community-driven blockchain network. Today, Telegram is once again working with TON as a major driving force for the popularization of Web3. The two parties have collaborated to launch a number of key products, such as TON Space (a built-in non-custodial wallet), Telegram Mini Apps (apps that can run within Telegram), and Telegram Stars (a built-in payment solution).
Through these innovations, Telegram is making blockchain technology easily accessible to millions of users, while TON provides a stable infrastructure to support the development of Mini Apps and promote the growth of Web3 users.
The Three-Step Formula for Web3 Democracy
TON and Telegram have set an ambitious goal: to import 30% of Telegram’s users (about 300 million people) to the TON blockchain by 2028. The most effective way to get millions of users to accept cryptocurrency is to take the following three-step strategy:
- Gamified experience: Attract users to blockchain through easy-to-play click-to-earn games.
- Tokenization: Using airdrops to turn gamers into cryptocurrency holders.
- Continuous participation: Allow users to further participate in the blockchain economy through DeFi applications.
This model first entertains users and then gradually educates them. Through games like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and Catizen, Telegram users are being transformed into Web3 users.
Notcoin: How social gaming drives blockchain adoption
The combination of blockchain and social games has created a phenomenal product like Notcoin. Notcoin was launched in early 2024 and attracted 35 million users within weeks with its simple “click to earn” mechanism. More importantly, the game converted these players into blockchain users through token airdrops, causing the number of TON wallets to double to 8.5 million in just one month.
Notcoin’s success comes from its low-threshold design - no technical background is required, and no knowledge of cryptocurrency is required. Users can participate by simply clicking on the screen and receive token rewards of actual value.
Hamster Kombat and Catizen: How entertainment can boost blockchain adoption
If Notcoin laid the foundation for the integration of games and blockchain, then Hamster Kombat and Catizen further deepened this trend.
- Hamster Kombat has attracted 300 million users on Telegram, promoting the popularity of the TON blockchain through in-game rewards.
- Catizen has further verified the market potential of blockchain games with 39 million users.
These games use TON’s infrastructure to distribute rewards, converting a large number of traditional gamers into cryptocurrency users.
How airdrops turn gamers into crypto holders
Once users are immersed in the game, the next step is to allow them to actually own cryptocurrency assets. TON uses an airdrop mechanism to convert in-game points into tokens with market value, allowing players to seamlessly enter the Web3 environment.
Telegram’s built-in TON Space wallet exceeded 100 million registrations in November 2024, showing that this integration strategy is effectively guiding users into the DeFi world.
Telegram Mini Apps: Expanding the application scenarios of Web3
Imagine booking a taxi, playing games, and even trading digital assets within Telegram without having to download additional apps. This is exactly the convenience brought by Telegram Mini Apps.
These Telegram-based applications enable TON to seamlessly integrate Web3 elements into a user-familiar environment, further lowering the threshold for using blockchain technology. As of July 2024, more than 500 million users use Telegram Mini Apps every month, showing its huge market potential.
TON’s DeFi layout: How to retain cryptocurrency users
Once users enter the world of cryptocurrency, how do you keep them engaged? TON provides continuous value through DeFi products, including lending, staking, and trading services, allowing users to transform from passive participants to active ecosystem builders.
As of October 2024, the total locked value (TVL) of the TON ecosystem reached US$726 million, reflecting users’ high recognition of TON DeFi products.
The cooperation between TON and Telegram is promising in the future
This collaboration not only increases the popularity of blockchain, but also creates real financial value for Telegram. Telegram expects revenue to exceed $1 billion in 2024, driven by mini apps, wallets, and digital collectibles.
TON has further consolidated its leadership as a Layer 1 blockchain and continues to attract developers and investors.
TON and Telegram are realizing the long-cherished vision of the blockchain industry - making decentralized technology easy to use and naturally integrated into life.
This is not just about cryptocurrency, but about providing digital tools that provide greater convenience and autonomy to users around the world. Whether you are a gamer, developer, or general user, the integration of TON and Telegram makes Web3 more intuitive and attractive.
This is just the beginning, and with continued innovation and user growth, TON and Telegram are jointly shaping the future of blockchain technology.
Read more:
About LayerPixel - Our Vision & Mission：About LayerPixel - Our Vision & Mission
Exploring the entrance to Ton Chain: Understanding cryptocurrency wallets in one article: Exploring the entrance to Ton Chain: Understanding cryptocurrency wallets in one article
A Letter to Telegram Mini Games Developers | LayerPixel’s Collaboration with Bot Gameyard：https://medium.com/@LayerPixel_io/a-letter-to-telegram-mini-games-developers-layerpixel-collaboration-with-bot-gameyard-5624f02393b2
Join PixelDAO Telegram to discuss Ton ecosystem projects!
About LayerPixel：
LayerPixel is an all-in-one DeFi protocol designed specifically for the TON blockchain and seamlessly integrated with Telegram Mini Apps. Leveraging a modular architecture, LayerPixel overcomes the asynchronous limitations of TON while harnessing its sharding benefits.
At the core of the LayerPixel ecosystem are several innovative components:
- PixelWallet - An SMC wallet with Account Abstraction (AA) features, enabling users to interact with dApps and the LayerPixel ecosystem with ease.
- PixelSwap - The first modular DEX on TON, supporting advanced trading models like weighted pools and LBP.
- Pixacle - A decentralized oracle solution delivering fast and accurate price data to dApps and smart contracts.
LayerPixel’s future plans include becoming a cross-chain solution to power DeFi experiences across all Telegram Mini Apps. By providing an all-in-one platform, LayerPixel aims to make blockchain-powered finance accessible to everyone within the TON ecosystem.
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