Since its launch, Telegram has rapidly risen with its strong privacy protection and communication functions. As of 2024, the number of monthly active users has reached 900 million, an increase of 12.5% over last year, second only to Whatsapp, WeChat and Messenger in global messaging applications. The huge user base not only consolidates Telegram's position in the Web2 communication field, but also lays the foundation for its expansion into the Web3 field.
By integrating the TON ecosystem, Telegram has introduced Web3 product experiences with encrypted payments, digital asset management, and decentralized applications (dApps) while retaining its core communication functions. Relying on Telegram's traffic advantage and the payment and transaction capabilities provided by TON, the Mini Apps in the Telegram ecosystem have covered more than 20 types of applications such as Staking, wallets, and centralized trading platforms (CEX), providing users with a richer Web3 interactive experience.
In addition, TON also brings new profit opportunities to developers. However, most current applications (especially games and social applets) are still focused on meme culture and entertainment speculation, which makes it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale Web2 users, and the ecosystem is still in its early stages.
Regarding the Telegram ecosystem, we know the following conditions: a large user base and a very open and flexible social ecosystem. What is unknown is: how to make it a "cross-sea bridge" for people in the Web2 world and the Web3 country to communicate freely?
1. A quick look at OKX Web3’s product layout in the Telegram ecosystem
OKX Web3 is providing an answer to this.
On the one hand, the native Mini wallet of Telegram was launched, which supports users to perform asset management, swap, cross-chain and other operations within Telegram, helping users to quickly play with the TON ecosystem; on the other hand, OKX Connect was launched as a communication protocol between wallets and applications in the Telegram ecosystem, helping developers to seamlessly connect the DApps they developed on Telegram with different public chain ecosystems, thereby creating the best on-chain experience for a wider range of users.
“OKX Connect is essentially similar to the role of middleware, which can help connect other ecosystems such as EVM with the Telegram ecosystem; the role of OKX Mini wallet is to become the Web3 entrance for Telegram users, because we support the most complete chain and the most complete dapp connection, and users do not need to jump to support users on Telegram to directly complete transfers, cross-chain, swaps and other operations. In general, the value of our work is to help Telegram users enter the native cryptocurrency ecosystem with a low threshold, and at the same time make it possible for crypto-native projects to reach Telegram users, and gradually attract 900 million Telegram users to Web3.”
The person in charge of OKX Web3 said that the special thing about OKX Connect is that it is currently the only bridge connecting non-TON chain dapps with Telegram users. For users, the OKX Web3 wallet first supports asset management and defi protocol parsing and dapp connections for more than 100 chains. On Telegram, other wallets usually only support a few chains, which is far less convenient than the OKX Mini wallet.
"The project team has always hoped to reach real users directly, and Telegram is the one they want to reach the most, not just an address. However, there are only a handful of protocols on Telegram Mini Apps that support wallet connections, and Ton Connect supports the TON chain. Therefore, DApps from other ecosystems want to come, but cannot, and there is no bridge to cross the river. So from this point of view, the existence of OKX Connect is a key bridge for various project teams to establish connections with Web2 users." he continued.
Now, many project parties have improved their development efficiency due to the emergence of OKX Connect. Bitbot, a Telegram trading terminal focusing on non-custodial AI, said that OKX Connect has smooth connections and one-click recharge and transfer, which simplifies the operation steps and makes the user experience more convenient. Duckchain, a Telegram ecosystem foundation layer project facing consumers, said that OKX Connect provides a seamless and reliable connection solution, allowing it to easily integrate multi-chain functions in DuckChain as the Consumer Layer of TON, enhance user experience and promote deep interconnection with the TON ecosystem.
2. Why support Telegram ecosystem construction?
In addition, the OKX Mini Wallet has also been connected to OKX Connect, and supports users to interact directly in Telegram Mini Apps deployed on TON, Sui, EVM, and Solana chains and connected to OKX Connect without having to jump to other apps.
In order to further attract users to experience the Telegram ecosystem, the OKX Web3 wallet has also launched a number of activities, guiding users to enjoy the Telegram ecosystem while providing rewards.
Currently, users of OKX Web3 wallets can get exclusive benefits in different activities such as Giveaway , Cryptopedia , Mantle Telegram Adventure, etc. For example, in the Mantle Telegram Adventure activity, users can link to multiple Mantle-based mini-games deployed on Telegram through OKX Connect, and participate in winning a total of about $100,000 worth of $MNT rewards.
Obviously, OKX is using the combination of OKX Mini Wallet + OKX Connect to simplify the process for Web2 users to enter Telegram Web3 applications, break down the barriers between the Telegram ecosystem and other public chain ecosystems, and encourage more users to enter Web3.
Work hard for the “cross-sea bridge” mentioned at the beginning.
"After Telegram launched Mini Apps, it became the easiest channel to reach users in the Web3 field. There has been no native social application in the Web3 field. Most on-chain users use Telegram, but their main behaviors on Telegram are off-chain. When Telegram supports Mini Apps and the emergence of Ton Connect and OKX Connect, it will be easier for Telegram users to interact on the chain in daily life and when chatting with friends, such as making payments, sending red envelopes, voting, sharing on-chain dynamics, etc." The head of OKX Web3 products admitted that the team has always insisted on innovation-driven and leading the construction of industry infrastructure. This is the core driving force for them to anchor the Telegram ecosystem and actively build it.
Looking back, whether in the Bitcoin ecosystem, Ethereum ecosystem, or Solana ecosystem, OKX Web3 has actively participated in the construction and achieved remarkable results and user recognition. As long as there is demand from users and the industry, the team will always be in action.
In addition to product-level support, OKX Ventures, The Open Platform (TOP) and Folius Ventures also jointly announced the launch of the Telegram Growth Hub, an accelerator with a total scale of US$10 million, to provide funding and support for projects that increase user engagement in the TON and Telegram ecosystems, promote innovation in the TON public chain, and expand the Telegram Mini Apps ecosystem. In addition to financial support, up to 10 selected projects will also receive multi-dimensional support in product infrastructure, marketing and growth.
As the saying goes, "The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago. The second best time is now."
All signs indicate that the OKX Web3 team has always been promoting the development of the industry with practical actions. Just like the slogan: Less talk, Less drama, More building.
Risk Warning and Disclaimer
This article is for reference only. This article only represents the author's views and does not represent the position of OKX. This article is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or investment recommendations; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or hold digital assets; (iii) financial, accounting, legal or tax advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of such information. Holding digital assets (including stablecoins and NFTs) involves high risks and may fluctuate significantly. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you based on your financial situation. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professionals for your specific situation. Please be responsible for understanding and complying with local applicable laws and regulations.
