In a striking move, Telegram has unveiled an exclusivity agreement with The Open Network (TON), tightening their collaboration by requiring any Telegram mini apps that include crypto functionalities—like games and wallet integrations—to use TON. The messaging giant will also extend dedicated perks to projects aligned with the $TON ecosystem.
A Return to TON Roots
Although Telegram originally created the blockchain as the “Telegram Open Network,” it withdrew from the project in 2020 after encountering regulatory pressure. A committed community of developers stepped in, rebranding it as The Open Network and keeping the platform alive. In the past 18 months, Telegram and $TON have gradually reconnected, most visibly through the TON Wallet app and popular tap-to-earn crypto games (e.g., Hamster Kombat and Notcoin) that attracted millions of players.
Exclusive Use of TON
Under the new arrangement, Telegram mini apps and games that currently operate on blockchains such as Sui or Aptos must migrate to TON and adopt the TON Connect protocol to maintain their crypto features. Telegram will prohibit additional non-TON wallet protocols, except when bridging assets from other blockchains.
“To uphold a scalable and secure user experience that fits Telegram’s standards, all mini apps with crypto features must be based exclusively on TON,”
said TON Foundation President Manual Stotz in an interview with Decrypt.
Stotz also noted that Telegram’s exclusive adoption of TON should bolster the network’s standing as a prominent blockchain, especially given the app’s widespread reach with 950 million active users.
Developer Grants and Incentives
To facilitate this transition, the TON Foundation is offering grants of up to $50,000 for projects that migrate within 30 days. Previous grant recipients, however, will not be eligible for further support. The Foundation aims to help developers keep their user bases intact while transitioning smoothly to $TON.
Ongoing Ties and Features
Telegram and $TON’s evolving partnership extends beyond mini apps. The chat platform recently started compensating channel operators with Toncoin (TON) from advertising revenue, and it has also introduced a tokenized in-app currency, Telegram Stars, which users can redeem for Toncoin. Furthermore, Telegram plans to let people mint stickers as tradable NFTs on the $TON blockchain—another sign of deepening cooperation.
Timing and Future Outlook
The announcement coincides with President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, widely viewed as a pro-crypto shift in U.S. politics. While Stotz did not address potential regulatory changes or their influence on the deal, he emphasized that this partnership underscores Telegram’s consistent support for open-source technology and Web3 adoption.
“By choosing TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram mini apps, Telegram can now offer a robust, reliable, and scalable solution for users and developers—one that supports the growth of its global network,”
Stotz concluded.
With this exclusivity in place, Telegram is doubling down on its commitment to $TON, opening the door for innovative crypto features and blockchain experiences on one of the world’s largest messaging platforms.
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