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Along with the new browser, the platform has also announced the launch of the Mini App Store, a place where all Telegram-based mini apps are collectively displayed.
Renowned messaging platform Telegram has recently launched an in-app browser and a mini app store for its users. The new browser integrates decentralized websites TON Sites hosted on the Open Network (TON) blockchain instead of traditional servers. These sites use URLs ending in “.ton” (e.g., http://foundation.ton) and benefit from the blockchain’s security and decentralization.
The newly launched in-app browser allows users to easily navigate between messaging, browsing, and gaming on Telegram without interruption. It has all the expected features, such as search, bookmarks, and multiple tabs. Additionally, the browser’s support for the TON Sites introduces the concept of a decentralized web to Telegram’s 950 million users globally, promoting greater adoption of Web3 technologies.
Along with the new browser, the platform has also announced the launch of the Mini App Store, a place where all Telegram-based mini apps are collectively displayed. This feature caters to its 500 million monthly users who actively interact with these apps. Last month, crypto exchange OKX also leveraged this growing trend to launch a free-to-play Telegram mini app game called OKX Racer.
Telegram has introduced a new ‘Apps’ tab in its Search function, showcasing frequently used and trending mini apps such as Catizens and Notcoin. This simplifies user access to games and services while also helping in the discovery of new ones. Additionally, developers can now share video demonstrations and screenshots for their mini apps, providing users with better insight into the app’s features.
Moreover, users can now gift Stars (launched in June), the units of the mini-app payment system, to their contacts. This new functionality directs users to the Mini App Store, where they can explore apps that accept Stars. These Stars can be used as a payment for exclusive content in channels or to buy digital goods in mini apps, providing a user-friendly payment option.
The Telegram community, which includes a large number of crypto investors, has massively welcomed the announcement. Many stated that such updates will bring massive decentralized Web3 tech adoption in the coming times.
Rising Popularity of TON
The launch comes amid the rising popularity of Telegram-based games, many of which utilize the TON blockchain’s native token Toncoin (TON). This includes the Web3 tap-to-earn game Catizen and Hamster Kombat, which is preparing for its own token HMSTR airdrop. Other popular games leveraging the TON token include Yescoin, a swipe-to-earn game, and TapSwap, a Telegram clicker game.
Toncoin itself has shown impressive performance, currently trading at $6.8. The token has experienced a 2% rise in the past seven days and a huge surge of over 470% in the past year, reflecting its strong position in the market.
TON has a market cap of $17.1 billion, having more than doubled in just five months. The token currently ranks 9th among the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap.
