Key Takeaways:
- Telegram + TON are becoming crypto’s most frictionless onboarding experience, thanks to built-in wallets, games, and mini apps.
- Play-to-earn is evolving into play-to-win, shifting focus to real competition, utility, and microtransactions.
- TON’s future lies in scaling, real-world use cases, and deeper DeFi integration through seamless app design and user incentives.
Telegram is no longer just a messaging app. With The Open Network (TON) under the hood, it’s rapidly evolving into a full-fledged Web3 super-app — and in 2025, it may be the most important bridge to crypto adoption yet.
TON and Telegram: A Unique Crypto Combo
According to Martin Masser, Head of Growth at the TON Foundation, the partnership between Telegram and TON is one of the most powerful in the industry. “Almost everyone in crypto uses Telegram,” he explains. But millions of users still haven’t explored its blockchain features.
TON offers users built-in wallets, decentralized apps, NFT collectibles, and access to viral mini-games — all within the Telegram interface. It’s a frictionless experience, designed to onboard the masses with zero barriers.
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From Play-to-Earn to Play-to-Win
Telegram’s Web3 breakout began with games like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat — play-to-earn titles that introduced crypto to tens of millions. But Masser says the model is evolving fast.
“The best games won’t need to pay players. Instead, they’ll rely on microtransactions and in-game NFTs,” he notes. New formats like play-to-win — where users stake crypto and winners take the pot — are gaining ground, powered by Telegram’s built-in social features.
Referral links, leaderboards, and group-based gameplay are turning every mini app into a viral growth engine.
DeFi and On-Chain Potential
While TON’s user base is massive — over 44 million wallets and 107,000 daily active users — its DeFi scene is still maturing. DEXs like STON.fi and Dedust saw TVL spikes after USDT launched on the network but have since cooled off.
For DeFi to thrive, Masser believes mini apps must integrate staking, rewards, and NFTs naturally. “Think games offering season passes unlocked by staking TON — that’s where real adoption happens,” he says.
NFT Gifts: A New Type of Social Collectible
Telegram Gifts — on-chain NFTs that appear on user profiles — are becoming one of TON’s fastest-growing trends. With over 282,000 wallets trading these collectibles and a market cap of $143 million, they’ve onboarded more than 170,000 new users.
Masser says their success lies in social sharing. “They’re designed to be gifted, traded, and shown off. Upcoming drops, like the Snoop Dogg collab, will keep driving hype.”
What’s Next: TON Accelerator Upgrade and Global Push
TON is preparing a major update: the Accelerator Mainnet Upgrade, which promises >100,000 transactions per second and vastly improved scalability. Masser also hinted at deeper U.S. expansion and new exchange listings in the works.
But to him, the mission is simple: “Make people’s lives easier and more fun. That’s how you create real impact.”
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.
