Gairika Mitra
Telegram, a messaging giant known for its amiable crypto policies, introduced an in-app browser that supports decentralized websites called TON Sites. They made this announcement via a blog post on Telegram’s website on Wednesday. This development strives to make Web3 technology accessible to a vast user base of nearly one billion people.
The browser is integrated to adopt Web3 applications, allowing users to access decentralized finance (DeFi), blockchain-based games, and other crypto-related services directly within the Telegram app.
Key Features of the In-App Browser
This in-app browser is equipped to handle multiple tabs, enabling users to interact with various decentralized apps (dApps) simultaneously without having to leave Telegram.
Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, highlighted the browser’s ability to gift Stars to their friends. Stars are an innovative currency that allows users to make payments for digital services within the platform’s Mini App Store, where they can explore and utilize apps that accept Stars as a form of payment.
“Speaking of mini-apps, they have a whole new way to spread virally across the Telegram ecosystem — via Stories, which also got an upgrade today with covers and smart animated weather widgets,” Durov said.
He also took to X to announce this development.
Industry Reactions and Insights
The crypto community has responded positively to Telegram’s latest development. In an exclusive statement to The Shib Daily, Alvin Kan, COO at Bitget Wallet, shared that the built-in browser, compatible with TON websites and the Mini App Store, has expanded the possibilities for mass adoption of the TON blockchain and its ecosystem.
“The newly launched Mini App Store provides a platform for promoting decentralized applications, allowing users to quickly find the most trending DApps. In the future, it can also include modules like ‘Verified’ tags to help users avoid fake and phishing Mini Apps, while offering competitive exposure opportunities for DApp developers,” he added.
Discussing the Stars payment system, Kan noted that it offers a new, more convenient monetization model and user interaction method for dApps, with zero gas fees, making it more suitable for involving Web2 users in Web3 during the early stages. He shared that it is now easier for users to browse websites and messages, dApps, and news on one cohesive platform.
Kan also expressed his bullish views on the latest update to the ‘Stories’ feature of the messaging app. “It will boost the viral spread of Mini Apps within Telegram and users’ private domains, helping projects and content creators rapidly gain more popularity,” he said.
Bitget is actively supporting projects on the TON blockchain. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, shared with The Shib Daily that the exchange wants to utilize its $20 million TON ecosystem fund to provide support to projects building on TON with a focus on developments in Tap-2-earn gaming.
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Gairika holds positions in BTC. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
