Telegram, the popular messaging app, has unveiled two major updates. On July 31, it launched an in-app browser capable of accessing TON Sites, a platform for decentralized websites on the Open Network blockchain. This follows the earlier July announcement of a mini app store by CEO Pavel Durov. These features are now available to Telegram’s user base of approximately 950 million.
TON Sites, introduced in 2023, allows users to create blockchain-based websites, previously accessible only through TON Proxies. The new browser integration simplifies Telegram users’ access to these decentralized sites.
Telegram Launches Web3 Browser and Mini App Store
Telegram has introduced two significant features: a Web3-capable in-app browser and a mini app store.
The new browser, announced on July 31, supports TON Sites – a platform for decentralized websites on the Open Network blockchain. CEO Pavel Durov stated on August 1 that the browser offers “all the features” of traditional browsers and allows seamless switching between web browsing and messaging. He emphasized that this development “opens the world of blockchain-based web to almost a billion users.”
Concurrently, Telegram has launched its mini app store, accessible via the app’s search section. This feature consolidates access for the 500 million users who regularly interact with mini-apps. The store provides a centralized location for all available mini-apps within the Telegram ecosystem.
These updates are now available to Telegram’s user base of approximately 950 million, marking a significant step in the platform’s expansion into Web3 and app integration.
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Telegram has expanded its mini app ecosystem with new payment features and successful applications. The platform’s in-app currency, “Stars,” introduced on June 7, can now be sent between users. These tokens facilitate payments within mini apps and can be exchanged for Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of the TON network.
The mini app platform has seen significant success, with games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat attracting millions of players worldwide. Notably, Hamster Kombat has become one of the fastest-growing Web3 applications, surpassing 300 million users since its March 2024 launch. The game is now preparing for what it claims will be the “largest airdrop in the history of crypto” for its HMSTR token on the TON network.
Another successful mini app, Catizen, launched alongside Hamster Kombat in March, has gained over 500,000 paying users. This success has led to investment in its publisher, Pluto Studio, from Hong Kong-based crypto venture firm HashKey Capital.
These developments highlight the growing popularity and economic potential of Telegram’s mini app ecosystem within the broader cryptocurrency and Web3 landscape.
Raksha, a seasoned journalist, specializes in crafting insightful narratives on blockchain and AI developments. With a keen eye for innovation, she distills complex topics into accessible stories, providing readers with a clear understanding of the dynamic intersection between these transformative technologies.
