The utilization of blockchain-based mini-decentralized applications (DApps) on Telegram, also known as Mini Apps, has the potential to serve as a “Trojan horse” for widespread adoption of blockchain technology. Justin Hyun, the director of investments at TON Foundation, believes that Telegram Mini Apps, which were launched in 2020 in collaboration with The Open Network (TON) Foundation and Tencent, can play a crucial role in bringing onboard the next 500 million users to the blockchain ecosystem.
Telegram Mini Apps were introduced as an open platform that enables Web3 businesses to seamlessly deploy crypto-friendly apps directly within the Telegram messaging app. The primary objective behind this initiative was to establish a super-app platform. Hyun emphasizes that in order to attract a large number of users to the blockchain space, it is crucial to offer simple use cases initially, where users are not necessarily aware of the underlying blockchain interaction. To further incentivize users, certain Telegram Mini Apps will also provide Web3-specific financial rewards.
With over 800 million monthly active users worldwide, Telegram is currently the third-largest messenger app in terms of monthly downloads. On February 28, Telegram announced the launch of its advertising platform, which will utilize the TON blockchain for payments. Starting this month, channel owners on Telegram from more than 100 countries will have the opportunity to receive financial rewards for their work once the ad platform is accessible to all advertisers. Channel owners will be entitled to 50% of the total advertising revenue generated by Telegram through ads displayed in their channels.
TON Foundation launched a $115 million community incentive program on March 20. This program includes $38 million for token mining and user incentives, $22 million for airdrops, $15 million for The League developer ecosystem, and $40 million for liquidity pool boosts.
In conclusion, the integration of blockchain-based Mini Apps on Telegram has the potential to drive mass adoption of blockchain technology. By providing an open platform for Web3 businesses to deploy user-friendly apps, Telegram can attract a significant number of users to the blockchain space. Additionally, the introduction of financial incentives further motivates users to engage with these Mini Apps. As Telegram continues to expand its services and explore new avenues, it is positioning itself as a key player in the blockchain industry.