Open Network

AppWizard
April 24, 2025
The TON Foundation will announce Maximilian Crown as its new CEO on Thursday. This appointment aims to stabilize Telegram, which has a user base of one billion, following the arrest of its founder Pavel Durov in Paris last year. Crown's leadership is seen as a significant step for Telegram, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its multi-functional app amid governmental pressures to access user data. Crown has experience as CFO and COO of MoonPay and has successfully secured operational approvals across various countries. Telegram has transformed into a “Super App,” integrating features such as gaming, shopping, and payment functionalities. The Telegram Open Network (TON) has 41 million active accounts and 121 million Toncoin holders. Toncoin's value is tied to Telegram's fortunes, experiencing fluctuations following Durov's arrest. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of French authorities' actions on Telegram’s blockchain initiatives, especially related to digital privacy and government oversight. Durov was detained for 96 hours and criticized the scrutiny faced by Telegram, warning against legislative efforts that threaten individual freedoms.
AppWizard
December 5, 2024
The average person spends at least two hours on social media daily, leading platforms to compete for user engagement. The gaming industry has become a significant competitor in this arena. Telegram has become a hub for blockchain gaming, particularly through TON, featuring innovative play-to-earn (P2E) games and Mini Apps that enhance the gaming experience. Casino bots on Telegram allow users to play games like blackjack and poker directly within the app. Facebook continues to integrate gaming into its platform, supporting instant games on Messenger and gaming groups, despite discontinuing its standalone gaming app in 2022. Snapchat introduced Snap Games in 2019, utilizing augmented reality to create interactive multiplayer experiences, although this feature is no longer available. Instagram incorporates gaming elements through interactive quizzes and polls in Stories, and serves as a platform for gaming content influencers. WhatsApp has unofficially integrated simple games through third-party bots, allowing users to engage in casual play within chats, despite not offering official gaming features.
AppWizard
October 17, 2024
Global cryptocurrency ownership surpassed 295 million people in 2021, with messaging applications like Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat integrating cryptocurrency wallets and payment systems. Telegram introduced The Open Network (TON) for seamless cryptocurrency transactions and has contributed to the growth of Bitcoin casinos. WeChat is exploring the incorporation of China's digital yuan into its payment system. Signal allows users to send MobileCoin, while Japan's Line has launched its own cryptocurrency, LINK. Key drivers for this trend include the demand for financial autonomy, speed and convenience of transactions, and the need for cross-border payment solutions. Younger demographics, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are leading adoption rates. In-app crypto payments utilize blockchain technology for secure transactions, with a straightforward process for sending and receiving cryptocurrencies. Benefits include convenience, lower fees, and financial inclusion for the unbanked, while challenges involve regulatory hurdles, cryptocurrency volatility, and privacy concerns. The integration of crypto in messaging apps could disrupt traditional banking, affect remittance markets, and prompt partnerships between banks and messaging platforms. Future growth in cryptocurrency adoption within messaging apps is anticipated, with potential mainstream acceptance akin to credit cards and mobile payments.
AppWizard
August 13, 2024
The founder of a mobile advertising startup, acquired by Blackstone in 2019, notes the evolution of integrated applications like China's WeChat, which has over 1.3 billion monthly active users and combines messaging, gaming, photo sharing, video conferencing, and mobile payments. Current payment solutions like PayPal operate independently, lacking the desired seamless integration. Regulatory challenges hinder the development of similar all-in-one apps in the U.S., despite interest from tech giants like Facebook and Elon Musk, who aims to transform Twitter (now X) into a comprehensive "everything app." Telegram has also introduced USDT stablecoin payments and is pursuing a similar goal despite past regulatory setbacks. The successful launch of a master app could unlock significant revenue opportunities, though rigorous regulatory scrutiny is anticipated.
AppWizard
August 10, 2024
Telegram, launched in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov, began as a messaging app and later integrated with the TON blockchain, aiming to transform digital transactions. The TON blockchain's development started with a whitepaper in 2018, and Telegram raised approximately .7 billion through a private sale of its native Gram token. In October 2019, the SEC filed a complaint against Telegram for conducting an unregistered securities offering, leading to a court ruling in March 2020 that halted the distribution of Gram tokens. Telegram subsequently abandoned the project in May 2020 but supported the independent development of TON, which was rebranded as The Open Network. In September 2023, Telegram integrated the TON Space wallet and introduced a revenue-sharing system in Toncoin. By May 27, 2024, the total value locked on TON surpassed billion. Telegram has become a hub for the crypto community, facilitating discussions and collaborations. It launched an in-app browser and a mini app store, with popular mini-apps like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat attracting millions of users. Telegram has raised billion through bond issues since 2021 and is exploring a potential IPO by 2025.
AppWizard
August 4, 2024
Telegram has updated its in-app browser, adding a bottom bar for navigation and support for Web3, including decentralized websites on TON. A new "Apps" tab in the search function has been introduced to help users find popular mini apps. Users can now view and bookmark instant articles in the browser. Developers can upload video demos and screenshots of mini apps, which can also create custom story content. Telegram Stars allows users to gift stars to contacts for purchasing digital goods in mini apps. A new front flash feature enhances video message recording in low light. Additional updates include a weather widget for Stories and a thumbnail feature for video stories, available on both mobile and Mac OS.
AppWizard
July 9, 2024
The TON blockchain project, with ties to Telegram Messenger, has seen a surge in value and popularity this year, with its token breaking into the top 10 by market capitalization. Despite previous regulatory issues, TON's performance has rekindled hopes that Telegram may evolve into a "super-app" incorporating social interactions, gaming, and financial tools. The project is focusing on payments and remittance, with enhanced security measures such as new KYC and AML checks being enforced.
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