- Telegram has launched an in-app browser that supports decentralized websites, known as “TON Sites.”
- The new browser is available on both mobile and desktop platforms.
- Telegram introduced a Mini App Store, enhancing user interaction within the app.
- Users can now send Stars, a new payment unit, to friends within the app.
- The popularity of Telegram’s crypto gaming applications, Hamster Kombat and Catizen, is on the rise.
Telegram, known for its strong privacy features and user-friendly interface, has made a significant advancement in the Web3 world.
On July 31, the popular messaging app announced the launch of a new in-app browser that supports decentralized websites, referred to as “TON Sites.”
This innovation will make Web3 technology easily accessible to Telegram’s approximately 950 million users, enabling them to explore and interact with decentralized websites directly within the app.
The new in-app browser is available on both mobile and desktop platforms, allowing users to switch seamlessly between browsing and messaging.
Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO, stated that this feature effectively “merging communication with news consumption” enabling users to launch their own web servers and host websites on the Open Network (TON).
Expansion with Mini App Store and Stars
In addition to the in-app browser, Telegram also introduced a Mini App Store. This store offers various applications that users can interact with directly within the Telegram app. One of the standout features is the ability to send “Stars,”
Mini App payment units, to friends. Telegram reported that over 500 million users interact with Mini Apps each month, highlighting their significant integration and popularity within the platform.
Users can now gift Stars, which were launched in June, to their contacts. This new functionality directs users to the Mini App Store, where they can explore apps that accept Stars.
These Stars can be used as a payment for exclusive content in channels or to buy digital goods in mini apps, providing a user-friendly payment option within the Telegram ecosystem.
Surge in Popularity of Crypto Gaming Apps
Telegram has seen a remarkable surge in the popularity of its crypto gaming applications.
Many games leveraging The Open Network’s (TON) native cryptocurrency, Toncoin, have become favored among users. Notable mentions include games like Catizen and Hamster Kombat, which have captured substantial user engagement and transaction volumes.
Hamster Kombat, a touch-to-win game, attracted 300 million players in just four months, making it the third fastest app to reach 150 million users. Catizen, a Web3 social entertainment platform, has rapidly gained 26 million users since its launch in March and generated $16 million in in-app purchases.
Impressively, a portion of these earnings was donated to rescue street cats, showing the app’s commitment to social causes.
TON and Its Growing Market Presence
Both Hamster Kombat and Catizen use Toncoin (TON), the main cryptocurrency of The Open Network.
Over the past year, the value of Toncoin has increased by 467%, reaching $6.78. This rise in value reflects the growing acceptance and use of TON within Telegram’s ecosystem.
Toncoin itself has shown impressive performance, currently trading at $6.8. The token has experienced a 2% rise in the past seven days and a huge surge of over 470% in the past year, reflecting its strong position in the market.
TON has a market cap of $17.1 billion, having more than doubled in just five months. The token currently ranks 9th among the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.
Conclusion
Telegram’s foray into Web3 through the integration of TON Sites and the Mini App Store marks a pivotal moment for the platform and its users.
By offering seamless access to decentralized websites and enhancing in-app interactions with features like Stars, Telegram is not only expanding its functionality but also pioneering a more decentralized internet experience for millions.
The surge in popularity of its crypto gaming applications and the impressive performance of Toncoin further underscore the platform’s growing influence in the cryptocurrency space.
As Telegram continues to innovate and integrate Web3 technologies, it sets a precedent for other platforms to follow, paving the way for a more decentralized and user-friendly internet.
