Blockchain? Inside Telegram? You Bet! How TON Is Making Crypto Feel Like a Chill Chat

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Once folks realize what’s already buzzing inside Telegram, everything’s up for grabs, says Martin Masser, Head of Growth at the TON Foundation – because nothing screams “future” like sending crypto while binge-watching cat memes. 🐱💸

The Open Network (TON) has morphed from what looked like a mad scientist’s pet project into a full-blown ecosystem nestled right within Telegram’s digital bosom. With wallets that approximately hold your life savings, payments faster than a gossip at a tea party, and tiny apps that are basically the Swiss Army knives of the internet, TON is partying like it just discovered a new universe.

At the heart of this digital carnival is Masser, who explains how TON’s leveraging Telegram’s worldwide “everyone’s on it” attitude to drag in the next wave of crypto enthusiasts – or at least the ones who are already glued to the app. “Whenever I do talks,” he says, “I ask who’s on Telegram, and every single hand (except those holding coffee in the waiting room) shoots up.” Yeah, it’s THAT big.

His logic? “Telegram is the logical blockchain partner. TON’s sharding and scalability? Built for people who prefer emojis over long introductions. You use Telegram? Perfect. TON’s integrated everywhere, like that persistent weird smell in grandma’s house.”

What’s missing? Awareness – kind of like knowing you have a secret stash of chocolate but forgetting where you hid it. Once users stumble upon what’s already there, they’re flabbergasted at what they can do without leaving the app – payments, NFTs, casual blockchain gaming, and mini apps that make sitcoms look slow.

In this chat, Masser spills the beans about TON’s advantages, developer playgrounds, and wacky projects like the Sera Space Program – just your typical community-driven space mission accessible through Telegram, no big deal. 🚀

  • TON’s embedded in Telegram: Basically, it’s grown from a blockchain idea into a full ecosystem with wallets, payments, mini-apps, and even blockchain-powered games – all inside your favorite chat app.
  • What about the users? With Telegram’s colossal global audience, onboarding is easier than convincing your grandma to use a smartphone. Send USDT, jump into mini-games, all without the heavy lifting.
  • Developers & Creators: They can craft NFT experiences, community economies, and even the Sera Space Program, which is a space race for the digital age-minus the NASA budget.

Crypto.news: So, from your point of view, how does being linked to Telegram give TON a leg up in the crypto jungle?

Martin Masser: I ask people at talks, “Who’s on Telegram?” and every hand (and probably a few feet) go up. It’s like asking, “Who owns a smartphone?” – the answer is basically everyone. That’s what makes it so powerful – the user base is massive, lively, and uses it daily, like it’s their second brain.

Most people have Telegram in their top three apps, right next to, well, everything else they can’t live without. I’ve asked journalists, “Check your phones,” and it’s always Chrome, Telegram, and…something. So, it follows that a blockchain built for Telegram is a no-brainer, or at least a no-hard-brainer.

But here’s the thing: not enough people know they’re already inside the ecosystem! Once they do, they’re amazed by the mini universe hiding in the chat window. Payments? NFTs? Gaming? All just a few taps away, as casual as sending a meme.

Crypto.news: Any mini-apps you recommend for those curious souls?

Masser: Ah, the tricky part – I have to be careful not to sound like a shill in a discount store. But yes, gaming is booming. Goat Gaming, Dropy, TON Battlegrounds – think of them as your casual, no-download, no-fuss arcade. Just open, play, and go about your day.

And sports fans aren’t left out – Sixers Cricket is shaping up nicely. Imagine merging social media with blockchain, so you can jump into mini-games, NFT collectibles, and perhaps even trading cricket stickers – all in the time it takes to swat a fly.

The real revolution? It’s the frictionless play. No wallet setups, no sign-in hoops, just connect your TON wallet and start. Like magic, but with fewer rabbits.

This seamlessness makes blockchain feel less ‘difficult’ and more ‘I’ve been doing this for ages,’ bringing cash, collectibles, and perks into the same chat window. Our job? Make sure more people see what’s already possible, preferably before they forget how to use a receiving hand.

Crypto.news: And the Web3 angle? Why bother putting games on TON instead of Facebook’s endless scroll?

Masser: Originally, people thought “Every move on-chain,” but it’s like trying to put every step of a dance on YouTube. Not necessary. Instead, think utility – Own an NFT? Use it for a bonus. Play with digital collectibles that actually mean something, like special stickers or skins. That’s where real fun happens.

Take Score Suite, for example – they’re about to do a big sports sticker sale. Fans will buy digital stickers of their heroes, use them in games, and build communities around them. It’s more than just owning; it’s about engaging deeply, like a virtual fan club with bonuses.

Beyond gaming? Sending crypto instantly in chat is the real game-changer. No middlemen, no fees, just type, “@push 1 USDT,” and Bob’s your uncle – or whoever you’re sending to.

In short, it’s about frictionless, real-world crypto – from splitting a pizza bill in Croatia to tipping your favorite influencer in London, all inside a chat. Who knew sending money could be this casual?

Crypto.news: So, a wallet is just a tap away?

Masser: Exactly. Fund your Telegram wallet once, and it’s like setting a toaster – a simple step that unlocks a universe. Send or receive USDT, NFTs, even stake tokens with a tap. Once people see how easy it is, they’ll start dreaming about yield farming and staking memes.

Crypto.news: Developers, what’s the biggest perk of building on TON?

Masser: Connection. Everything happens where the users are – Telegram. Developers don’t need a new universe; they just need to build inside the universe they already inhabit. Instant reach, viral potential, and word-of-mouth growth. Drop a mini app in a group, and boom – hundreds of users in seconds. The catch? Documentation is improving, and awareness still has some fog – but that’s changing fast.

When I ask “Who’s used a mini app?” usually it’s a handful. But mention “Hamster Kombat” and suddenly most raise their hands, as if they’ve been secretly playing all along without realizing it. That’s awareness in action.

More builders = more ecosystem. Think Notcoin – once it took off, others followed, and the whole thing snowballed. Like digital dominoes, but with more excitement.

Crypto.news: Is Telegram turning into a ‘super app’ that’s so full it’s almost overwhelming? How’s the ecosystem handling that?

Masser: I can’t speak for Telegram’s plans, but I know they’re swift. They spot what’s happening and cycle out updates faster than you can say “app overload.” They’re aware, agile, and always tweaking. We’re just spectators enjoying the show.

Crypto.news: Anything you’re particularly excited about right now?

Masser: Definitely Telegram Gifts. Marketplaces like TON Market pop up where people buy, sell, and rent digital goodies – think of it as eBay, but with more emojis. Little digital treasures that fuel communities, inspire developers, and sometimes make a profit (luckily, not just from pizza). 🌟

It’s early iPhone days. Big innovations will come when folks realize, “Hey, I can do this!” Today, it’s already happening – collectibles, creator monetization, community economies – all inside Telegram, powered by TON. The same way Uber came out of drop-in ideas, this ecosystem will keep growing faster than a meme goes viral.

And on the creator front? They can now monetize like never before. Receive tips, sell exclusive content, or run NFT-gated chats. No giant platform needed – just a few taps, a good idea, and maybe some stickers.

Stickers are a shining example. Some are off-chain, but Telegram’s official stickers are minted on-chain with royalties baked in. Every trade benefits the creator, making sure their art stays alive and pays the bills – unlike that random doodle on a napkin.

In short, with stickers, gifts, NFTs, and baked-in royalties, Telegram becomes a digital economy – accessible, fun, and surprisingly practical. All powered by TON, and seemingly by magic, too. ✨

Crypto.news: Any last words? A final space mission plug perhaps?

Masser: Absolutely! Check out the Sera Space Program – it’s our shot at making the universe a little smaller. Six seats on Blue Origin, with five reserved for folks from countries that usually get overlooked – Nigeria, Brazil, India, you name it. 🚀

The big idea? People vote via Telegram, and those votes decide experiments conducted in space. Think of it as the “people’s space program,” where your neighbor from Zambezi can send a flag and a smile into orbit. It’s democracy, but with zero gravity. 🌎➡️🌌

Huge communities rally around candidates, rally support, and vote as a team. Imagine Dinamo Zagreb fans sending their hero to space, waving Croatian flags at a thousand kilometers above Earth. That’s the kind of borderless, participatory magic that TON and Telegram love to throw into the pot.

It’s not just a stunt; it’s real infrastructure for global collaboration – blockchain as the backbone, not just a buzzword, but a bridge for everyone to reach beyond the sky. 🌟🚀

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2025-11-14 23:49