Introduction

Telegram, a popular messaging app, has evolved into a platform hosting a variety of mini-apps, including a unique NFT ecosystem. This innovation allows users to trade digital collectibles, artworks, usernames, and even virtual phone numbers on the TON blockchain. Telegram NFTs have gained significant popularity due to their ease of use, in-app marketplace, and potential for community building and monetization.

Telegram NFTs have created an ecosystem that redefines the way digital gifts are given and received by integrating unique ownership and authenticity verified on the blockchain. Through these innovations, Telegram has created an ecosystem that seamlessly combines creativity, utility, and community engagement. This article explores the concept of Telegram NFTs, their rising popularity, key features, and the unique opportunities they provide for creators, influencers, and users within the platform. It also examines the challenges associated with Telegram NFTs and the implications for the future of digital interaction and asset ownership.

What are Telegram NFTs? A Focus on their Rising Popularity

In the rapidly evolving digital space, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) have emerged as a major technology, providing ownership and proof of authenticity for unique digital items such as artwork, music, and collectibles. While NFTs have primarily gained attention through platforms like OpenSea and Rarible, Telegram, a popular messaging app, has made waves by integrating NFTs into its platform.

Telegram’s evolution from a simple messaging app to a comprehensive ecosystem of mini-apps has marked a significant milestone in the integration of blockchain technology into everyday digital interactions. By embedding gifting features—represented as non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—Telegram has introduced a transformative innovation, paving the way for an enriched NFT ecosystem. This advancement leverages the potential of blockchain technology, offering a new perspective on digital ownership and interaction.

Launched in 2024, Telegram NFTs are blockchain-based digital collectibles integrated into Telegram which work with limited-edition gifts and animated artwork. They are unique, verifiable, and irreplaceable assets, portrayed as valuable in the digital space. They consist of digital collectibles, artwork, and everything else that is tradable digitally. They are traded on the TON (The Open Network) blockchain while maintaining the utility of Telegram as a messaging app. Every unique ownership is recorded on the TON blockchain, so you won’t have to question the ownership of a particular asset.

The Role of TON Blockchain in the Development of Telegram NFTs

TON blockchain plays a crucial role in the development of NFTs within Telegram. It provides the underlying technology that directly supports the creation, trading, and management of NFTs within the messaging app.

Here are some key points to highlight the impact of TON blockchain on Telegram’s ecosystem:

• Developer Support: The TON Foundation, which supports the development of the TON blockchain, has been actively promoting the use of TON for various applications, including NFTs. This support includes funding initiatives and providing resources for developers to build on the TON network.
• Scalability and Performance: TON is designed to handle a high volume of transactions, making it suitable for the growing demand for NFTs. This scalability ensures that Telegram’s NFT market can grow without facing performance bottlenecks. At the Token 2049 event, Pavel Durov remarked that Telegram needs the scalability afforded by TON’s network, which can process many transactions.
• Decentralized Finance (DeFi): The TON network supports the development of DeFi products, enabling fast transactions and scaling up with Telegram’s massive audience. The TON DeFi market is experiencing significant growth, offering opportunities for new products to gain a large user base quickly.
• Integration with Telegram Wallet: The TON P2P Network wallet can be quickly connected to Telegram accounts, allowing users to easily exchange, send, and buy tokens within the messenger. This integration facilitates the use of NFTs within Telegram.

These developments underscore the ongoing influence of TON blockchain on the Telegram ecosystem, fostering innovation and expanding the platform’s capabilities beyond its initial scope.

Telegram NFTs’ Rising Popularity and Use Cases

Telegram NFTs are not limited to just pictures, artwork, and gifts. It also includes unique usernames, domains such as NFTs, and virtual phone numbers.

As of November 2024, the Telegram team leveraged their broad user base and blockchain technology to create “Fragment,” a unique marketplace where anyone can trade Telegram Usernames, Stars, and Virtual Phone Numbers. By December, they had already integrated the no-sim sign-up feature, allowing users to sign up using virtual phone numbers.

Fragment further incorporated the DNS (Domain Name System) service, which functions on-chain and allows users to buy domain format. The DNS service was created to reinforce the setup of domains and resolve the crypto wallet challenge faced by those unfamiliar with crypto transactions, ensuring that funds can be transferred through an easily readable DNS service rather than a crypto wallet address.

With Telegram’s rapid growth and the drive at which Pavel Durov is starring the wheel of expansion into the Web3 ecosystem, Telegram NFTs are gaining popularity and this could feasibly be an inspiration for other social media platforms because with seamless user interface and vast audience Telegram, with the integration of NFTs have been able to wrap their user base around the following;

• Monetization for creators: Telegram NFTs could possibly be the next “reward for hard work” on Telegram, rewarding artists, creators, influencers, and brands with NFTs that they could mint and trade within the TON ecosystem.
• Community token: Communities can issue NFTs to specific groups of people for a certain obligation or priority, such as membership. These exclusive NFTs can be used to access a private group or premium service.

Features of Telegram NFTs

The concept of converting limited edition gifts into NFTs has not only transformed a simple messaging app into an open opportunity to own digital assets, but it also created an approach that introduced its users to a different experience on receiving and giving digital presents. Combining the power of blockchain technology and Telegram, this feature has made it stand out in various ways such as:

Integration with TON Blockchain

Telegram NFTs are traded on the TON blockchain due to its high scalability, low transaction fees, and secure infrastructure. TON’s efficiency ensures smooth NFT minting within the Telegram ecosystem while retaining its utility as a social media platform.

In-App Abilities

Telegram embedded the mini-app feature to help mitigate barriers that could limit the app’s functionality. They incorporated a direct use case where users could trade and manage their NFTs without leaving the app. The mini-app has also proven that the gaming system could be fused into the platform, enabling access for trading in-game collectibles and assets.

Compatible with TON Based Wallets

Telegram NFTs have been identified as interoperable digital assets because they are not just confined within Telegram; they are transferable to different external wallets and tradable on compatible NFT marketplaces, which enables user flexibility.

User-friendly Interface

Whether tech-savvy or non-tech-savvy, the interface is designed to serve both, making it easy to navigate without the need for extensive knowledge or expertise.

How Does It Work?

Telegram NFTs operate on the TON blockchain and use smart contracts to create unique verifiable, digital assets with embedded unique ownership recorded on the chain; creating an ecosystem where its users could convert these assets and gifts into Stars—Telegram’s currency—that can be used to make in-app transactions on the platform. The motive behind this was to support artists and creators and it came off as the best way to promote their works and expertise, keep them engaged, and make more money while at it.

The Revolution Around Telegram NFTs

Source: Durov’s Telegram Channel

Telegram NFTs enabled the creation of a decentralized micro-economy, an economy where users could monetize unique creations or invest in digital assets. For example, a creator, influencer, or brand can mint a large number of exclusive badges on the platform and sell them to their audience, creating a strong bond between them and their audience.

Telegram NFTs are more than just digital assets; they represent a redefinition of how we interact, trade, and build communities online. They are gradually changing how communities operate by integrating micro-economy and building a system for better relationships between communities and their members.

Identifying Unique Telegram-Based NFTs and Its Marketplace

Telegram Based NFTs

Telegram offers a wide array of NFT resources that cater to diverse interests and communities, each serving different functions and purposes, including:

Premium Username

Source: Getgems

Telegram fused the unique username feature with the privacy and safety of their users in mind. These usernames are stored on the TON blockchain to serve as a rare identity that holds functionality and speculation value, keeping each user private and anonymous.

Source: Getgems

Group Badges

Source: Kriptoqraf

Group badges were created to encourage community members to participate and interact more with the community. They were integrated with the ranking system that rewards specific achievements such as membership and being the most interactive, building a sense of belonging among members and encouraging them to interact and actively participate in community activities.

Gaming Assets

Source: Chainplay–Crypto Kitties

Telegram-based games integrate NFTs as in-game assets such as characters, weapons, and virtual land. An ideal model that represents the integration of NFTs into the Telegram gaming ecosystem is “All the Zen”.

It is a game on Telegram created by one of the first Ethereum-based GameFi project with the idea of creating an easy gaming experience for players interested in blockchain-based games. Incorporating its already existing NFT feature, allows users to collect, breed, and trade virtual cats as collectibles and digital assets within the platform with each cat possessing unique traits that make them distinct from each other.

Telegram Stickers and Emojis

During the Token2049 event in Dubai, Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, highlighted that over 700 billion stickers are shared monthly on the platform. This huge volume presents a significant opportunity for the platform to explore stickers and emojis as potential material for NFTs.

Pavel Durov plans to tokenize Stickers and Emojis on Telegram using the TON blockchain

Source: CoinTelegraph

By transforming popular emojis and stickers into digital collectibles, Telegram could unlock new possibilities for user engagement and value exchange. Imagine the ability to trade emojis and stickers as digital collectibles, gift premium or limited-edition stickers with tangible value, or obtain exclusive stickers through specific interactions. The rarity and exclusivity of these digital assets would enhance their appeal, offering both the giver and the receiver a unique sense of ownership.

While Durov did not provide detailed plans regarding the monetization or implementation of NFTs for stickers and emojis, it is clear that such a move could open avenues for creators to earn royalties, aligning with the broader trends in the NFT and digital content space.

Telegram NFT Marketplaces

Getgems and Fragment are the most popular Telegram-based NFT marketplaces, with strong user bases, user-friendly interfaces, and great connections with both creators and traders.

Getgem.io

Source: Getgems

Getgems is a popular NFT marketplace on the TON blockchain, designed to showcase the stories behind each collection and explore the future of Non-Fungible Tokens.

To access its full range of features, connect a TON-compatible wallet, such as Tonkeeper, Tonhub, or MyTonWallet, to the Getgems website. You can buy, sell, mint, and transfer single NFTs or entire collections on the platform.

You can create and launch a collection on the platform; however, the primary consideration is the resources required—specifically, high-resolution images in formats such as JPG, JPEG, or PNG. Ensuring the images are stored in optimal quality is essential to guarantee accessibility for the end user.

While errors may occasionally occur during the collection launch process, there are several measures that can be taken to minimize this risk.

1. Naming files in the English alphabet without special characters. E.g My_Fun_Meme_Collection.png
2. Ensure that the collection cover image, including the avatar and banner, is properly prepared and sized according to the specified dimensions.

The Avatar should be 512×512 and the banner, 2500×665, while the snippet or the collection preview banner should be 1200×627. The banner should be displayed at the top of the collection page while the snippet or collection preview banner should display when you share the link to your collection.

Source: Getgems

Getgem.io also offers a variety of NFT collections that vary from Anonymous Usernames to TON PUNKS.

The Main NFT Collection on Getgems

Anonymous Username

Source: Getgems

Anonymous Username is a unique feature introduced by Telegram that allows users to acquire anonymous usernames as NFTs through the TON blockchain. This initiative enables users to own unique, tradable digital identities within the Telegram ecosystem. The process is facilitated via Fragment, a marketplace where users can buy, sell, and auction these collectible usernames.

Premium Voucher

Premium Vouchers are NFTs that grant access to premium services within the Telegram ecosystem. Just like Group Badges, premium vouchers give certain privileges to their bearer. While specific details about these vouchers are limited, they likely offer enhanced features or subscriptions, providing added value to users.

TON DNS Domains

TON DNS, a fully functional on-chain NFT was created to allow users to purchase domain names on the TON blockchain. These domains are represented as NFTs, enabling a more convenient transaction process via wallets, websites, and other services. Owners can link these domains to their wallets, making transactions more straightforward.

Crypton

CRYPTON is the TON network’s first RWA (real-world asset) NFT collection. Its details are quite limited, but it is listed among the notable collections on the Getgems marketplace.

TON PUNKS

TON Punks is a collection of 5,149 algorithmically generated NFTs, each featuring a unique character design. These digital assets are available for purchase and trade within the TON ecosystem.

Source: Getgems

TON Punks was inspired by the widely recognized Crypto Punks NFT collection. It introduces its own native token, $PUNK, and features an innovative Play-to-Earn game integrated within Telegram. This project exemplifies the growing intersection of blockchain technology, digital collectibles, and interactive gaming.

How to Sell Your NFTs on Getgems

To sell a collection on the platform, there are a few key steps to follow. Unlike purchasing, selling requires a proper sign-up process and wallet connection.

1. Set Up Your Collection: Navigate to the dashboard and click on the “Put to Sale” option. Enter the desired sale price in the pop-up window.
2. Modify Sale Price: You can update the price of an existing item without the need to delist and relist it on the marketplace.

Once everything is set up, click “Sell” to finalize the process. You will be required to pay a gas fee to list your NFT on the blockchain. Use your connected crypto wallet to confirm the transaction.

While transaction fees on the TON blockchain are relatively low, we strongly recommend maintaining at least 0.3+ $TON in your wallet. This ensures smooth, fast, and hassle-free operations on Getgems. The required fee, along with any temporarily blocked extra $TONs, will be deducted during the process, and any excess amount will be immediately refunded to your balance.

Fragment

Source: Fragment

Fragment is a marketplace that facilitates the buying and selling of digital collectibles and third-party services, such as Telegram Premium, Telegram Ads, Telegram Stars, Premium Usernames, and Anonymous Phone Numbers. The platform supports secure, direct, and anonymous transactions, as well as public auctions where users can participate over a designated period.

Fragment exclusively operates on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. By leveraging TON’s capabilities, Fragment enables users to acquire and assign custom usernames as links for their personal accounts, channels, or groups, and to exchange TON for various items.

To fully utilize Fragment’s features, users can connect a TON-compatible wallet, such as Tonkeeper to the platform. This integration allows seamless participation in auctions and the buying or selling of digital assets within the TON ecosystem.

How To Use Fragment

Fragment features a user-friendly interface suitable to all types of users. Similar to other marketplaces, you simply need to connect your wallet. The key difference lies in its seamless integration with a direct to Telegram account widget, which enhances the user experience.

Step 1: Connect Your Wallet

To begin, connect a TON-compatible wallet. If you don’t already have a wallet, creating one is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes.

Step 2: Create and Fund Your Wallet

1. Install a TON Wallet: Download and install a wallet such as Tonkeeper or MyTonWallet.
2. Secure Your Seed Phrase: Upon setup, you will receive a list of words (your seed phrase) as your password. Write it down and store it securely. Losing this phrase will result in the irreversible loss of your wallet, funds, and collectibles.

Once your wallet is set up and funded, you’re ready to start using Fragment seamlessly.

Connecting To Fragment and Telegram

Once your funds appear in your wallet, navigate to Fragment and click the “Connect TON” button located in the top-right corner. Select your wallet and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

Source: Fragment

For services related to Telegram, use the “Connect Telegram” widget. If you are accessing the platform on a mobile device, you can locate it by opening the menu in the top-right corner.

Navigating the Platform using Mobile Device
(Source: Fragment)

The Pros and Cons of Telegram NFTs

Similar to every technology and innovation, there are advantages and disadvantages attached to Telegram NFTs.

Pros

• Easy Integration of NFTs into Social Interaction: Telegram’s user-friendly interface, makes NFTs accessible to a broader audience. It allows users to seamlessly convert their digital assets and interact with the TON blockchain without leaving the app, making it easy for new users to interact with the platform.
• In-app Marketplace: The easy access to trade NFTs directly within Telegram mitigates the need for external platforms, streamlining the user experience.
• Community Building: Telegram NFTs strengthen the connection between creators, influencers, and brands with their audiences by providing exclusive perks and a sense of ownership.
• Monetization Opportunity: Telegram NFTs create new revenue streams for influencers and brands, enabling them to monetize their content in an innovative way.

Cons

• Market Volatility: The value of Telegram NFTs can fluctuate rapidly due to market trends and speculation, leaving users with uncertainty regarding the future worth of their digital assets.
• Potential Oversaturation: The recent trend has driven excitement around this innovation, with people eager about the potential profits from investing in it. However, this could lead to a rapid surge in popularity and potential market oversaturation, causing scarcity to lose alignment with value and ultimately diminishing the worth of these NFTs.

Is It Worth Investing In?

The decision to invest in Telegram NFTs depends on one’s goal and most importantly risk tolerance. These NFTs are appealing due to the growing market, opportunities they offer early investors, and the utility and benefits they offer such as access to exclusive groups, a wide range of investment options, and monetization. However here are a few risks to consider:

• Speculative Nature: Most of the NFTs out there get through the market due to value derived from hype, making them high-risk investments.
• Market Saturation: The absence of scarcity with NFTs could dilute the value of these digital assets over time.

In addition, the decentralized nature of NFTs can leave investors vulnerable to scams and disputes. However, investors should be aware of the risks associated with market volatility and potential oversaturation, hence proceed with caution and do proper research before investing. As Telegram continues to expand its Web3 offerings, Telegram NFTs are poised to shape the future of digital ownership and social interaction.

Conclusion

Telegram NFTs are an exciting development in the NFT space offering a blend of accessibility, community engagement, and innovation. As they continue to evolve, these digital assets have the potential to redefine how we interact, trade, and build communities online. It is a bold step forward in the integration of blockchain with everyday digital platforms.

Whether you are a creator looking to monetize your content, a collector in search of digital assets, or an investor exploring new opportunities, Telegram NFTs offer something for everyone, however, as with emerging technology, it is essential to proceed with curiosity, caution, and willingness to learn.