Telegram Mandates TON Connect for Third-Party Crypto Wallets

Social messaging platform Telegram now requires third-party crypto wallets to use TON Connect. This means only the TON blockchain will support crypto services on its platform. According to the announcement , this change is part of Telegram’s partnership with the TON Foundation, which raises concerns about the platform becoming less decentralized and more exclusive.

Telegram to Fully Support TON Connect

Starting February 21, all Mini Apps on Telegram must transition to the TON blockchain. This includes transferring smart contracts, bridging current assets, and using TON Connect only for wallet activities. This change aims to simplify how Telegram connects with crypto services, but it has raised concerns in the cryptocurrency community about its impact on decentralization.

It is worth noting that Telegram’s decision means it will no longer support other blockchain networks. As such, this change affects developers and users who have integrated different blockchain networks into their Telegram Mini Apps. As announced, users must make significant technical changes, such as moving their smart contracts and assets to the TON blockchain. 

While the goal is to improve user experience and crypto service integration, some critics say relying only on TON could go against the decentralized values the wider cryptocurrency community supports.

Furthermore, some people worry that if Telegram limits Mini Apps to one blockchain, it might make its ecosystem too centralized. This could reduce the variety of projects and applications its platform can use. However, Telegram’s focus on TON shows its strong commitment to this blockchain. 

Bitget and Foresight Ventures’ Commitment to TON’s Future

In November 2024, Bitget Wallet and Foresight Ventures introduced a $20 million funding initiative to support the development of Telegram Mini Apps . The fund seeks to catalyze a revival for TON by encouraging new Mini-App projects and providing the infrastructure and resources to developers eager to capitalize on Telegram’s vast user base.

Meanwhile, this funding initiative is part of Bitget and Foresight Ventures’ ongoing commitment to TON. 

Some months prior, the firms announced a $30 million investment in the TON blockchain to increase their involvement in its governance and future direction. According to statements from both companies, this $20 million fund is another step toward making TON an ecosystem with staying power.

Telegram Adopts TON Blockchain For its Marketplace 

The TON blockchain was initially developed by Telegram in 2018 alongside the messaging app but was later abandoned following a lawsuit from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Aside from being the original developers of TON’s programming language, Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app, says the blockchain speed, and usability give it an edge .