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Telegram has officially designated The Open Network (TON) as its exclusive blockchain partner, mandating all Mini Apps with crypto functionalities to migrate by February 2025.
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This strategic decision seeks to enhance operational efficiency, mitigate scams, and foster user confidence through TON’s centralized framework.
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According to a source from COINOTAG, developers are facing a tight migration deadline, with the TON Foundation offering grants for compliance, though some stakeholders criticize this move as conflicting with Web3 principles.
Telegram’s partnership with TON sparks debate as it enforces exclusive blockchain use for Mini Apps, aiming to boost security and user experience.
Telegram Establishes TON as Exclusive Blockchain Partner
In a landmark announcement via its platform, Telegram has made TON the sole blockchain infrastructure for its ecosystem, underscoring its deepening partnership with the network originally known as the Telegram Open Network. This shift seeks to deliver a unified and secure user experience to its vast community of over 950 million active users.
“We agreed with TON Foundation to make TON the exclusive blockchain partner of Telegram,” the company confirmed through a public communication.
Furthermore, a statement from the TON Foundation highlighted how this change will provide Telegram users with predictable interactions and enhanced protection against scams. The timeline established mandates that all Mini Apps and games embracing cryptocurrency functionalities must transition to the TON blockchain by February 21, 2025, emphasizing the urgency of compliance.
“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,” the TON Foundation articulated on the social platform X.
In addition, the agreement stipulates that TON Connect will become the definitive wallet integration protocol for all Telegram Mini Apps, save for bridging scenarios, as reiterated by TON Foundation President Manuel Stotz. This consolidation represents a significant pivot back to a previously abandoned collaboration, as the TON project was initially steered by Telegram but faced regulatory hurdles that led to its handover to independent developers in 2020.
Since then, the TON Foundation has made strides in propelling the blockchain forward, reintroducing features like the TON Wallet app and enabling crypto-based games alongside in-app currencies such as Toncoin (TON).
Implications for Developers and User Interaction
While Telegram aims to facilitate tokenization and in-app currencies, developers utilizing other blockchains like Sui (SUI) and Aptos (APT) are being urged to migrate to TON to retain access to Telegram’s crypto functionalities. In response to these migration demands, the TON Foundation has announced grants of up to $50,000 for eligible projects transitioning within a specified timeframe, although past grantees are excluded from future funding opportunities.
Security Concerns Prompt Consolidation Under TON
Telegram’s strategic pivot to streamline its blockchain operations under TON also highlights significant security considerations. Recent revelations from Scam Sniffer have reported an alarming 2,000% increase in crypto phishing attacks on the platform since November 2024, alerting Telegram to the vulnerabilities present within its open structure.
By consolidating crypto activities within a single framework, Telegram anticipates a reduction in these risks, enabling focused vigilance on crypto functionalities across all Mini Apps. This initiative is bolstered by an explicit aim to enhance user protection. As noted in a public statement, this collaboration with TON is anticipated to act as a defense against malicious scams.
“This standardization will be great for Telegram users — giving them a consistent, predictable experience and better protection against scams,” a statement underscored.
However, this move has sparked criticism from certain factions within the development community. Critics argue that the exclusivity clause undermines the very principles of Web3—namely, decentralization and permissionless innovation. The limited transition window raises questions about the degree to which Telegram’s decision aligns with the ethos of an open and interoperable internet.
Graeme Blackwood, UX and creative director at smart wallet provider Argent, articulated concerns: “Nothing says self-sovereign like forcing people to use your system. These are the standards of Web3. I had hoped Telegram was better than this. It wouldn’t be so bad if TON chain was decentralized and scalable,” highlighting an ongoing tension between innovation and user autonomy.
Conclusion
Telegram’s decision to partner exclusively with TON marks a crucial turning point in its blockchain strategy, emphasizing user protection and operational efficacy. As deadlines loom, developers must navigate these changes, balancing compliance with broader Web3 ideals. Telegram’s approach could redefine its crypto landscape, yet it faces the challenge of aligning its commercial strategies with the tenets of decentralization that many in the community hold dear.
