-
The evolution of Web3 neobanks is shifting from standalone applications to seamless integration within existing platforms, revolutionizing user engagement in crypto finance.
-
Telegram and The Open Network (TON) exemplify this trend by embedding financial services directly into their ecosystems, leveraging massive user bases to overcome traditional crypto adoption barriers.
-
According to Vlad Kamyshov, CEO of Evaa Protocol, “The race to build the next Web3 neobank may already be over — not because one app won, but because one platform rewrote the rules.”
Discover how Telegram and TON are pioneering embedded Web3 neobanks, transforming crypto finance with intuitive, frictionless user experiences and massive distribution.
Embedded Web3 Neobanks: The New Paradigm in Crypto Finance
The traditional approach to Web3 neobanking, centered on standalone apps, is rapidly becoming obsolete. Instead, the future lies in embedding financial services within platforms users already trust and use daily. Telegram and TON have capitalized on this by integrating crypto banking features directly into their ecosystems, eliminating the need for users to adopt new interfaces or manage multiple wallets. This strategy not only simplifies user experience but also leverages Telegram’s vast audience of over 1 billion users and TON’s 100 million wallets, addressing the critical challenge of distribution that has long hindered crypto adoption.
Seamless User Experience: From Complexity to Intuition
One of the most significant barriers to mainstream crypto adoption has been the complexity of decentralized finance (DeFi) interfaces. TON’s approach, as highlighted by Kamyshov, prioritizes user experience (UX) over technical features like APY optimization. By embedding functionalities such as tap-to-yield within Telegram, users can effortlessly deposit stablecoins like USDe and earn yield without navigating external wallets or complex dashboards. This frictionless experience marks a pivotal shift from technical innovation to behavioral adoption, making crypto finance accessible to a broader audience.
Building the Invisible Financial Infrastructure on TON
Beyond user experience, TON is constructing a comprehensive financial ecosystem that operates invisibly within existing platforms. The integration of Ethena and Tether Gold provides users with onchain access to tokenized assets, including gold stored in Swiss vaults, while tgBTC enables native Bitcoin transactions within Telegram. This infrastructure forms a financial super-app blueprint that dissolves traditional barriers between users and digital assets, fostering seamless interaction without the need for separate applications or wallets.
Interface as the New Battleground for Mainstream Adoption
While many blockchain projects compete on metrics such as throughput and fees, Telegram has secured a critical advantage by owning the interface layer. Through Telegram Mini Apps, bots, and built-in wallets, financial services become an integral part of everyday communication rather than isolated tools requiring separate logins. This integration exemplifies what true mainstream adoption entails: minimal friction, intuitive flows, and finance that feels as natural as messaging. TON’s strategy effectively activates a user base that traditional crypto platforms struggle to reach.
Attention Over APYs: Redefining DeFi Participation
The early DeFi landscape focused heavily on yield maximization and complex strategies, appealing primarily to technically savvy users. However, the next chapter emphasizes user attention and participation within familiar environments. Telegram’s embedded financial services allow users to engage with DeFi effortlessly, without the steep learning curve. This shift challenges projects reliant on standalone apps and heavy UX investments, suggesting that future growth will favor platforms that integrate financial tools directly into users’ habitual digital spaces.
Future Outlook: From Apps to Integrated Financial Access
Looking ahead, TON’s roadmap includes the integration of AI agents to serve as personal financial assistants, simplifying transactions and decision-making. Bitcoin’s role within Telegram is set to expand beyond a store of value to encompass lending, payments, and more, while new DeFi savings products aim to combine blockchain utility with the simplicity expected from modern neobanks. This evolution underscores a fundamental industry shift: success in Web3 finance will come from embedding services within existing platforms rather than competing as standalone entities.
Conclusion
The transformation of Web3 neobanks from isolated apps to embedded financial layers within platforms like Telegram and TON represents a critical evolution in crypto finance. By prioritizing seamless user experience, leveraging massive existing audiences, and building invisible infrastructure, these platforms are setting new standards for mainstream adoption. As Vlad Kamyshov aptly notes, the winners in the Web3 neobank race will be those who embed financial services where users already are, not those who build the best standalone app.
