The Open Network Foundation, a non-profit supporting the TON blockchain community, has become the exclusive partner for Telegrams mini-app platform.As an expansion of its partnership with Telegram Messenger, TON will become the exclusive blockchain infrastructure powering Telegrams mini app ecosystem and support Telegrams global user base of over 950 million monthly active users.Since the foundation and Telegram announced their joint initiative in 2023, the TON ecosystem has experienced unprecedented growth and widespread adoption. Since then, TON has worked with Telegrams updates to its mini app platform and the use of Toncoin for pay-ins and payouts. And Telegrams advertising platform played a significant role in the growth of TONs network. The new exclusivity agreement deepens the technological ties between TON and Telegram.Unifying on-chain user experience through TON ConnectCentral to this collaboration is adopting TONs wallet connect protocol, TON Connect, as the exclusive protocol for linking Telegram mini apps to blockchain wallets.This initiative provides a simplified user experience where all Web3 mini apps in Telegram will use TON to connect and authorize blockchain transactions. All mini apps utilizing blockchain in any capacity, including custodial and non-custodial wallets, user authorization, on-chain signatures, and the sending and receiving of blockchain-based assets, must implement TON Connect as their exclusive wallet connect protocol in the next month.TON blockchain and Toncoin become exclusive for TelegramFurthermore, Telegram will continue to accept Toncoin as the only cryptocurrency for non-fiat payments made for the assets and services offered by its platform, including Telegram Stars, Telegram Premium, Telegram Ads, and Telegram Gateway, a platform alternative to traditional SMS verification. Additionally, Toncoin will be the only currency used to pay Telegram Mini App developers and channel owners for their earned Telegram Stars and advertisement revenue.Tokenization of digital assets from Telegram platformTelegram plans to tokenize digital assets exclusively on TON Blockchain within the platform, including emojis and stickers, among other digital assets, while also tokenizing limited edition gifts as NFTs.After laying foundational groundwork over the last years, TON is now ready for explosive growth in 2025. The re-energized, deepened, and exclusive partnership with Telegram is an important step in our roadmap, said Manuel Stotz, president of The Open Network Foundation, in a statement. Telegram is the sixth most downloaded app in the world, a beacon for free speech, and the default messaging platform for the global blockchain community. No other blockchain has a comparable distribution vector. As TON continues its global expansion, we reiterate our ambition to empower over 500 million users before the end of the decade.Developers are encouraged to begin the migration process to ensure a seamless transition and avoid user service interruptions. Those who migrate within Telegrams deadline will receive additional benefits from the TON Foundation, including promotional support. Detailed guidelines and FAQ for developers are available here.TON will drive Telegram mini apps.The Open Network Foundation (TON Foundation) is a non-profit organization supported by community contributors to further TONs objectives. Founded in Switzerland in 2023, TON Foundation brings together a diverse range of expertise to support protocol development, help shape the platform, and facilitate ecosystem growth. While an advocate of TONs mission, the foundation does not exercise any authority over TON. TON operates on open-source software, welcomes input and contributions from all individuals, and remains independent of central control.Asked about gaming, Stotz said in a message to GamesBeat, This agreement is significant for gaming on Telegram as it unifies the user experience by standardizing wallet connections. By utilizingTONConnect, weve eliminated the complexities involved with connecting and integrating multiple wallet solutions for gamers and developers. New crypto gamers benefit from the smoother onboarding process of a single, user-friendly interface. For developers, integration becomes much more manageable as they no longer need to accommodate a wide variety of niche wallets. At the end of the day, we want to make entry easier for gamers, and this agreement does just that.Daily insights on business use cases with VB DailyIf you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI.Read our Privacy PolicyThanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here.An error occured.