On January 21, Telegram and TON Foundation announced an exclusive agreement requiring all built-in Web3 apps to use only the The Open Network (TON) blockchain. The information comes via Decrypt.

Key Details

Exclusive Agreement: Under the partnership, new embedded Web3 services and wallet protocols on Telegram must exclusively operate on TON.
Rationale: The goal is to maintain a “scalable and secure user experience.”
Ban on Other Networks: Existing wallet protocols for other blockchains will be disallowed unless they offer cross-chain compatibility.
TON Emphasis: TON Foundation President Manuel Stotz said the partnership strengthens TON’s position “as one of the world’s leading blockchains.”

Grants for Migrating Projects

Projects migrating to TON within 30 days can receive grants up to $50,000, depending on their audience size. Previous recipients of TON Foundation funding do not qualify for these bonuses.

Context

June 2024: Telegram introduced Telegram Stars, an internal token for paying digital service fees within its ecosystem.
November 2024: The messenger released a major update for mini-apps.
Global Ambitions: Earlier, TON developers revealed plans to expand in the U.S.