"Telegram Prohibits Development of Cryptocurrency Apps Exclusively on TON Networks"
## Telegram's TON Blockchain Partnership: A Game-Changer for Web3 Applications
Telegram has announced a significant partnership with TON Foundation, marking a shift in the company's approach to blockchain technology for its Mini App ecosystem. As of early 2025, Telegram will no longer support any blockchains except TON, requiring developers to adapt their Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) apps to TON if they wish to operate within Telegram [1].
This decision has sparked a flurry of activity, with many developers migrating their decentralised applications (dApps) onto TON. The move has been met with mixed reactions, as some applaud the potential for enhanced security and scalability, while others express concerns about centralisation, given Telegram's commitment to decentralisation [1].
### Developer Response and Network Growth
On-chain metrics indicate a significant surge in developer activity on TON. Smart contract deployments increased 140% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025, reflecting strong and growing participation by developers [2]. The TON blockchain now supports stablecoins, NFTs, and Mini Apps directly within Telegram chats, with flagship products like Wallet in Telegram gaining traction, particularly in Russia and Asia, and plans to expand to the US and Europe [1].
### Corporate Structure and Investment
TOP (The Open Platform), the startup focused on building Web3 applications on TON, recently raised $28.5 million in Series A funding at a $1 billion valuation, affirming strong investor confidence in Telegram’s blockchain strategy [1].
### Implications of the Telegram–TON Agreement
#### Mainstream Adoption Potential
With Telegram’s over one billion users, the exclusive integration of TON for Web3 apps could rapidly expand blockchain adoption to mainstream audiences, especially as more dApps, wallets, and financial services are natively embedded within the messaging app [1].
#### Developer Ecosystem Centralisation
While TON’s technical merits are recognised, the platform’s exclusive status raises questions about the future of decentralisation in Telegram’s ecosystem. Developers who wish to reach Telegram’s user base have no choice but to build on TON, which could centralise innovation around a single blockchain controlled by a small group of stakeholders [1].
#### Interoperability Challenges
The move away from supporting multiple blockchains, especially Ethereum, means developers face migration costs and technical hurdles to port EVM-based dApps to TON. Projects like Tac are emerging to facilitate this transition, but they operate independently of TON and Telegram [1].
#### Market Dynamics for TON Coin
Toncoin (TON) has seen robust technical and on-chain activity, with prices stabilising around $2.70–$2.85 in mid-2025. Analysts suggest that successful integration within Telegram could drive further price appreciation, though conservative long-term models remain cautious, citing competition and macro trends as key variables [2].
#### Regulatory and Competitive Landscape
Telegram’s previous regulatory clashes—including the SEC settlement and return of over $1.2 billion to investors—have not deterred ongoing development on TON. The company and its partners appear committed to building within existing frameworks, leveraging Telegram’s global reach to sidestep region-specific crypto challenges [2].
### Summary Table: Key Developments and Implications
| Development | Implication | |------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | TON is Telegram’s only supported chain | Forces developers to adopt TON, potentially accelerating its ecosystem | | Smart contract deployments up 140% YoY | Strong developer interest, signaling growth and potential for innovation | | Wallet in Telegram expands globally | Could onboard millions to crypto, boosting TON adoption | | Mixed community reaction | Raises concerns about centralization vs. benefits of a unified platform | | Toncoin price stabilized, growth possible| Integration success may drive value, but forecasts remain mixed | | EVM dApp migration challenges | Developers face costs, but third-party solutions (e.g., Tac) are emerging | | Telegram Stars Not Excluded from Cross-Chain Compatibility: If other blockchain wallet protocols offer cross-chain compatibility, they would not be disallowed. | | Telegram Stars Not Involved in Partnership Aims: The partnership aiming to provide a scalable and secure user experience does not include Telegram Stars. | | Major Update for Mini-Apps: In November 2024, Telegram released a significant update for mini-apps. |
### Conclusion
Telegram’s partnership with TON Foundation marks a decisive shift toward building a vertically integrated Web3 ecosystem within its messaging platform. While this promises to bring blockchain applications to a vast new audience and has already spurred significant developer activity, it also introduces centralisation risks and technical challenges for dApp creators accustomed to Ethereum and other chains. The long-term success—both in terms of adoption and token value—will depend on how well Telegram balances openness, security, and scalability as it scales its crypto-native features globally.
Building on the Web3 applications ecosystem, Telegram developers are swiftly migrating their decentralized applications (dApps) to the TON blockchain following Telegram's exclusive partnership with TON Foundation. This shift showcases the extensive role that technology, in this case, the TON blockchain, plays in driving the evolution of Telegram's services.
As a result of Telegram's commitment to the TON blockchain, some developers are emphasizing the need for solutions that facilitate the transition from Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) apps to TON, addressing the interoperability challenges caused by this move. This emphasis on technology further underscores its significance in shaping the future of Telegram's Web3 applications.
