Telegram began as a simple messaging app, known for its user-friendly interface and strong privacy features. But over the years, it has transformed into much more than just a communication tool.
Today, Telegram stands as a central player in the crypto ecosystem, hosting decentralized apps, trading bots, NFT marketplaces, and DeFi communities.
Telegram’s mini-apps have become the gateway to blockchain adoption for many. Notcoin, a viral social game, attracted 35 million users in just five months and reached a market cap of $1.15 billion. Hamster Kombat, a crypto exchange simulator, surged to 250 million users after launching in March 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing Web3 apps globally.
Telegram’s History With Crypto
This crypto shift didn’t happen by accident. The Durov brothers, who launched Telegram in 2013, always had bigger ambitions for the platform—ambitions rooted in decentralization and digital empowerment.
Their vision materialized in 2017 with the creation of the Telegram Open Network (TON), a blockchain designed to support decentralized apps (dApps), smart contracts, and a native token called Gram. TON was meant to power Telegram’s leap into the Web3 space, combining messaging with borderless financial tools.
To fund this transition, Telegram published a whitepaper in 2018 and raised $1.7 billion in a private token sale to 175 investors. But the excitement was short-lived. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intervened, arguing that Gram was a security and required registration under U.S. laws. By March 2020, a U.S. court ruled against Telegram, forcing the company to halt the project, return investor funds, and pay an $18.5 million fine.
Rather than fading away, the project was revived by independent developers who rebranded it as “The Open Network” in 2021. Backed by the TON Foundation, the new team focused on improving TON’s network architecture and scaling its capabilities—this time without Telegram’s direct leadership.
Despite the legal roadblocks, Telegram never fully walked away. In 2023, it integrated TON Space, a self-custodial crypto wallet, directly into the app. By September, Telegram had officially endorsed TON as its Web3 infrastructure of choice. The endorsement reignited interest in the ecosystem, and by May 2024, total value locked (TVL) on TON surpassed $300 million.
In June 2024, Telegram launched “Stars,” an in-app currency used for mini-app transactions. Users could convert Stars to Toncoin, the native token of the TON blockchain. Shortly afterwards, Telegram introduced a mini-app store, simplifying access to decentralized services for its 950 million users—500 million of whom are active monthly.
In July 2024, Telegram introduced an in-app browser to enhance blockchain features and improve user experience, allowing users to navigate TON sites directly within the app. Recent integrations, like those with Trust Wallet, have strengthened Telegram’s role, allowing users to send and receive TON.
Telegram as a Crypto Power Tool
Telegram’s growing relevance in crypto isn’t limited to hosting games and wallets. It has become a core infrastructure for blockchain-based services.
Crypto Bots: Telegram’s Killer Feature
Telegram trading bots like Unibot, Banana Gun, and Mizar have become indispensable tools for crypto traders. These bots integrate directly with decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and other DeFi protocols, enabling users to execute trades, manage wallets, and monitor markets.
Unibot is known for speed, executing trades up to six times faster than standard tools. Mizar adds features like staking MZR tokens and copy-trading, and Banana Gun stands out for its wallet generation, blacklist protections, and anti-rug mechanisms.
These bots lower the entry barrier for crypto users, offering intuitive interfaces and pre-built commands. No need for technical know-how, just join a Telegram group, launch a bot, and start trading.
READ MORE: Trading Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to Telegram Trading Bots
DeFi and Community Integration
Telegram is a central hub for the crypto community, where users discuss, trade, and share information. These communities serve as a critical communication layer for decentralized finance, helping users stay informed and involved. Airdrops, staking campaigns, and governance announcements often happen first in Telegram groups.
Projects like Aave and Uniswap maintain active Telegram channels where users share updates, debate governance issues, and track token performance.
The social messaging platform has also proved to be a vital tool for managing decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Token holders in projects like MetaCartel use Telegram to vote on proposals, coordinate funding rounds, and discuss strategic moves.
These groups often operate in real time, relying on Telegram’s chat features to make decisions quickly. Bots enable instant polls and on-chain proposal tracking. Tokenized communities also use Telegram for onboarding, education, and distributing token-based incentives.
NFTs: Trading, Updates, and Strategy
Telegram has embraced the NFT movement as well. Channels dedicated to collections like CryptoPunks, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and Axie Infinity serve as forums for trade, news, and strategy. NFT bots make it easy to scan listings, monitor floor prices, and receive updates—all without needing to leave Telegram.
This combination of real-time alerts and vibrant discussion groups has helped Telegram become a go-to platform for NFT collectors and flippers alike.
Challenges and Criticisms
Telegram’s Web3 momentum doesn’t come without risks.
Security and Privacy Concerns
While Telegram is praised for encrypted chats, its blockchain integrations introduce vulnerabilities.
Smart contract exploits and malicious bots remain serious threats. On June 23, 2024, SlowMist’s Yu Xian highlighted a wave of phishing links and scam bots within TON groups, targeting users’ wallets through deceptive airdrops and DMs.
Privacy trade-offs are another concern. Blockchain activity is public by design, and when linked to Telegram profiles, it could expose behavioural patterns. Even third-party wallets linked through bots may leak sensitive data if compromised.
In April 2024, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky flagged a scam involving unofficial Telegram bots that drained user wallets by tricking them into granting permissions. This highlights the need for caution and robust wallet security.
The Regulatory Tightrope
Telegram’s regulatory history is also complex. The Gram token saga underscored how easily innovative projects can run afoul of authorities. While Telegram ultimately pivoted away from direct token issuance, its global footprint forces it to navigate a patchwork of crypto regulations.
From anti-money laundering (AML) requirements to know-your-customer (KYC) policies, Telegram must strike a balance between compliance and user privacy. As crypto becomes more mainstream, regulatory scrutiny will only increase.
What’s Next for Telegram? IPO and the Road to Profitability
Telegram is now preparing for its next major step: a possible initial public offering (IPO). In March 2024, CEO Pavel Durov told the Financial Times that the company hopes to become profitable by 2025. Since 2021, Telegram has raised over $2 billion through bond sales to fund its operations and blockchain ventures.
An IPO would give Telegram greater financial flexibility and potentially validate its long-term strategy. Investors in its bonds might receive equity if Telegram goes public, depending on how those agreements are structured.
Conclusion
Telegram is no longer just a messaging app—it’s a full-fledged Web3 platform. By integrating wallets, launching Stars, enabling mini-apps, and supporting trading bots and DAOs, Telegram is rewriting the rulebook for crypto adoption.
Its blend of user-friendly design and blockchain-native tools makes it one of the most important platforms in the crypto ecosystem today. Whether you’re trading memecoins, staking DeFi assets, or just chatting in a DAO group, there’s a good chance you’re doing it on Telegram.
But challenges remain. From regulatory battles to growing security concerns, Telegram must continue evolving. If it successfully balances innovation with trust, it could become the first true super app of the crypto world—a place where communication, commerce, and community all converge.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered trading or investment advice. Nothing herein should be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. Trading or investing in cryptocurrencies carries a considerable risk of financial loss. Always conduct due diligence.
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