How TON and Telegram Are Bringing Web3 to the Masses: A Seamless Path to Blockchain Adoption

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Telegram—one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms with over 950 million users—has partnered with the TON blockchain to simplify the world of crypto. This integration has introduced a range of innovative features, such as digital token transfers, blockchain-based games, and collectibles, all within the familiar Telegram interface. The result? A frictionless experience that eliminates the need for multiple apps or technical know-how.

This article is part of our Probably Something series. After diving into TON’s mass minting history, we now explore how the partnership between TON and Telegram is making Web3 more accessible to millions.

The Birth of a Strategic Partnership

To understand this collaboration, it’s important to go back to the roots of TON. Originally developed by Telegram, TON has since evolved into a decentralized, community-driven blockchain. Fast forward to today, Telegram is once again teaming up with TON to position the blockchain as the gateway for bringing Web3 to the mainstream.

Together, they’ve launched several initiatives, including:

• TON Space: A built-in, non-custodial wallet.
• Telegram Mini Apps: Applications that run directly within the Telegram platform.
• Telegram Stars: An in-app payment solution.

These initiatives help make blockchain technology accessible to millions by integrating features such as wallet functionality, token transfers, and in-chat services—all within Telegram itself. Meanwhile, TON’s robust infrastructure supports the creation of Telegram Mini Apps, encouraging further user engagement with Web3 services.

A Bold Vision: 30% Adoption by 2028

With the goal of onboarding 30% of Telegram’s user base to the TON blockchain by 2028, Telegram and TON are following a three-step approach to turn casual users into active Web3 participants:

• 1. Gamify the Experience: Introduce users to blockchain through fun, tap-to-earn games.

• 2. Tokenize the Transition: Convert casual gamers into crypto users through token airdrops.

• 3. Engage with DeFi: Keep users invested by offering decentralized finance (DeFi) opportunities.

This strategy cleverly focuses on entertainment first, with education following after. Games like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and Catizen are being used as tools to introduce Telegram users to Web3, combining simple gameplay with token rewards to drive adoption.

Notcoin: A Viral Gateway to Blockchain

When casual gaming meets token rewards, the result is a powerful adoption tool. Notcoin, launched in early 2024, quickly became a viral hit, attracting 35 million users within weeks. The game’s simple concept—tap-to-earn—was easy to grasp, and the added incentive of token rewards helped onboard millions of users into the TON ecosystem.

Notcoin’s success story didn’t stop there. By offering token airdrops to its players, it doubled the number of active TON wallets to 8.5 million within just one month. It demonstrated how making crypto accessible and rewarding could turn curious players into active blockchain users.

Hamster Kombat and Catizen: Scaling the Fun Factor

Hamster Kombat and Catizen built on the success of Notcoin by offering more immersive experiences. These games saw massive user adoption, with Hamster Kombat attracting 300 million users and Catizen drawing 39 million players. Both games leveraged TON’s infrastructure to distribute rewards, making them a powerful vehicle for converting casual players into crypto adopters.

By October 2024, TON’s active wallets had surged to 34 million, thanks to these games. Transactions within the network reached 220 million per month, marking a 30x increase from the previous year. The success of these games highlights how integrating fun, rewards, and education can fuel blockchain adoption.

Airdrops: Bridging Web2 and Web3

Once users were hooked on gaming, it was time to introduce them to the broader world of cryptocurrency. That’s where airdrops came in. By converting in-game points into real tokens with market value, TON made the transition to crypto seamless. This process helped bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3, encouraging users to explore decentralized wallets and transactions.

TON Space, Telegram’s non-custodial wallet, played a critical role in this phase. By November 2024, TON Space had surpassed 100 million registrations, representing a major milestone in the onboarding process for DeFi applications and crypto assets.

Telegram Mini Apps: A Gateway to Web3

One of the most exciting features of the TON-Telegram integration is the launch of Telegram Mini Apps. These apps, which operate within the Telegram platform, allow users to interact with Web3 services without ever leaving the app. From gaming to digital asset trading, Mini Apps offer users an easy way to engage with blockchain applications without the need for additional downloads or complex wallet setups.

By July 2024, over 500 million users were engaging with Telegram Mini Apps monthly, demonstrating their immense popularity and their ability to introduce a wide audience to blockchain services.

DeFi: Keeping Users Engaged

Once users enter the crypto ecosystem, keeping them engaged is the next challenge. TON has tackled this with a variety of DeFi applications, including lending, staking, and trading services. These tools not only provide real value to users but also keep them invested in the TON ecosystem, contributing to its total value locked (TVL), which reached $726 million by October 2024.

To further boost user engagement, TON introduced The Open League, an incentive program that rewards high-performing projects. By shifting from grants to user-driven rewards, TON incentivized sustained activity across its decentralized apps (dApps), creating a vibrant and engaged community.

Why This Collaboration Matters

The partnership between TON and Telegram is not just about making crypto easier—it’s about reshaping the future of Web3. By integrating blockchain features into a platform that already boasts nearly a billion users, Telegram is making Web3 more approachable and less intimidating. TON, with its scalable infrastructure, proves that blockchain can be ready for mainstream adoption.

This collaboration is also a financial success. Telegram’s projected 2024 revenue of over $1 billion is driven in part by initiatives like Mini Apps, wallets, and collectible sales, all powered by TON. Meanwhile, TON’s ecosystem continues to grow, positioning it as a leader among Layer 1 blockchains.

What’s in It for You?

For developers, this is an opportunity to build projects within the rapidly growing TON ecosystem. With Telegram’s massive user base and TON’s robust infrastructure, you have access to a ready-made audience for your Web3 applications, whether they’re games, NFTs, or payment systems.

For users, the benefits are equally exciting. With TON and Telegram, Web3 is more accessible than ever. You don’t need to download a new app or wrestle with complicated wallet setups. The integration of TON into Telegram means you can explore blockchain technology in a way that feels natural and easy to use.

The Road Ahead

TON and Telegram are doing what many in the blockchain space have struggled to achieve—bringing decentralization and user-friendliness together in a way that feels seamless. This isn’t just about crypto—it’s about empowering users with the tools they need to take control of their digital lives.

And this is only the beginning. With ambitious goals and proven success, TON and Telegram are paving the way for the next generation of digital interactions. So the next time you play a game or share a meme on Telegram, know that you’re part of a movement that’s shaping the future of blockchain.