By
Chimamanda U. Martha
April 25th, 2024
The TON Blockchain’s March milestone of over 1 million MAUs and anticipation for the April Notcoin launch signify its growing influence catalysing speculations about the future integration between TON Blockchain and Telegram.
The Open Network (TON) Blockchain is set to enter April after recording unprecedented user engagement of over 1 million Monthly Active Users (MAUs) in March. This milestone, alongside 30 million new users awaiting the April launch of Notcoin (learn more about the coin in this guide), suggests growing influence and adoption within the TON Blockchain community.
Meanwhile, Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has been announced as a speaker at this year’s Token2049 Dubai event. His attendance has sparked speculation surrounding the future integration between TON Blockchain and Telegram.
If that wasn't enough… 🥁@Durov, CEO and Founder of @Telegram is presenting…. at a crypto event?? Token 2049 in Dubai.
I wonder what he has in store for us??
Guess in the comments!https://t.co/FYgcEDrfGD
— Jack Booth (@jbfxdotme) March 29, 2024
Foundations and Integrations
The origins of the TON Blockchain and Telegram are closely intertwined, adapting through regulatory hurdles and strategic pivots stemming from 2017 – when the previously dubbed Telegram Open Network (TON) Blockchain was announced by Telegram founders Pavel and Nikolai Durov.
Though this Initial Coin Offering (ICO) successfully raised roughly $1.7 billion, by 2019 the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) halted the TON Blockchain’s launch due to an alleged unregistered sale of securities. In 2020, following regulatory pressures and legal disputes, Telegram discontinued involvement with TON while Pavel Durov announced the entire shutdown of the project.
However, after 2020, the community and independent developers continued development of TON Blockchain without Telegram involvement. In spite of the divide between creator and creation, Telegram continued to integrate blockchain elements such as crypto payment features and wallet/exchange integration via bots.
Durov’s vision for the original TON project and his stance on user privacy can be summarized by his 2018 quote:
“Privacy is not for sale, and human rights should not be compromised out of fear or greed.”
With Durov’s attendance at Token2049 in Dubai now announced, observers anticipate fresh insights into his plans for the future synergy of digital communication and blockchain technology.
Telegram's next step is to build a set of decentralized tools, including non-custodial wallets and decentralized exchanges for millions of people to securely trade and store cryptocurrencies. This way we can fix the wrongs caused by the current excessive centralization.
— Pavel Durov (@durov) November 30, 2022
Convenience and Challenges of Integration
A future where TON Blockchain integrates with Telegram would present a number of benefits that could alter how users interact with cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (Dapps). Transactions carried out directly on the platform would streamline user payments, enabling more efficient and direct financial processes that bypass traditional bank bottlenecks.
Additionally, the inclusion of crypto wallets and/or Dapps on the platform would grant users a direct link to the TON Blockchain ecosystem, encouraging blockchain adoption and utilization. However, non-technical users can face steep learning curves when approaching blockchain technology for the first time, hindering adoption long-term without proper educational guidance.
Besides general learning curves, the technical practicability of incorporating TON’s blockchain potential into Telegram would require complex engineering. As such, robust development would be essential for incorporation of DApp integration, wallet functionality, and smooth transactional processes.
Evidence of DApp integration on Telegram can already be seen through the platform’s mini decentralized Apps, referred to as Mini Apps. On March 29, Justin Hyun, the director of investments at TON Foundation informed Cointelegraph that these Mini Apps could function as a “Trojan horse” for blockchain adoption.
Catalyst for Growth and Blockchain Adoption
Telegram’s vision of privacy and security, alongside the significant user base on the platform, make for favorable terrain when considering the impact of TON Blockchain integration. The merger would serve as a substantial catalyst for fostering blockchain growth and adoption, since Telegram is already used by companies and individuals alike for communication.
Now, with regulatory acceptance of a Bitcoin ETF, the innovative potential for a Telegram-TON Blockchain integration has a chance at overcoming regulatory obstructions.
Although the discussion of TON-Telegram integration is grounded in historical evidence and future speculation, it is important to clarify that such developments are speculative in nature. The potential perks and hurdles outlined above comment only on the broader conversation of possibility, rather than concrete plans between the two entities.