Telegram integrates The Open Network (TON) blockchain at a deeper level, enabling the app to offer in-app crypto payments, an NFT marketplace, and more.
Pavel Durov, Founder of Telegram, outlined freedom and privacy as the messenger’s top priorities during a speech at TOKEN2049. The entrepreneur named blockchain technologies as a technical means of realizing these principles. In particular, the platform plans to use The Open Network to provide all internal payments.
Shortly, users of the messenger will get many new opportunities related to Web3 technologies, among which are:
- buying and selling goods and services for crypto;
- trading tokenized assets in the form of NFTs, account addresses, stickers, and emojis;
- supporting content creators with crypto donations.
App developers and merchants can integrate around 40 payment providers like Stripe into their marketplaces.
Thanks to the use of the TON blockchain, the messenger will be able to bypass the restrictions applied by Apple and Google regarding payment processing for in-app purchases.
Plus, it became known that The Open Network will issue Tether stablecoins — dollar-pegged USDT and gold-tied XAUT. According to Tether Transparency, 60 million USDT is already available on the TON network.
TON officials confirmed the partnership with Tether, noting that it’s transforming the global peer-to-peer payments market by eliminating the need for local payment gateways. Telegram users can make transfers within the messenger by simply sending private texts.
Earlier this month, Telegram launched a reward system for content creators, which is also powered by The Open Network blockchain and allows channel owners to receive Toncoin.
