The integration between TON Space and Telegram Stars has made paying gas fees on the TON Blockchain easier for users. This development marks a significant advancement in making blockchain interactions more accessible within the Telegram ecosystem.
TOP, the venture builder and VC for early-stage projects on the TON Blockchain, shared this update with BeInCrypto. Previously, users had to hold TON tokens to cover transaction fees. Now, they can use their Telegram stars for these fees, simplifying the process.
TON Space, a self-custodial wallet within Telegram’s Wallet feature, allows users to store, send, and manage digital assets on the TON blockchain. This wallet gives users full control over their funds, without relying on third parties.
The introduction of Telegram Stars for gas fees in TON Space streamlines the blockchain experience for Telegram’s vast global audience. This update eliminates a major hurdle for new users – acquiring and managing blockchain tokens to cover transaction costs.
Users can pay blockchain fees for sending or swapping tokens using Stars. The cost in Stars depends on the current exchange rate in Toncoin (TON), a volatile asset that can affect the network fee paid with Stars.
With Telegram’s massive user base and TON’s rapid adoption, this shift could lead to increased blockchain usage within mainstream social applications. Telegram has over 950 million users, and more than 100 million TON Space wallets have been created since exiting beta in December 2024.
The CEO of The Open Platform, Andrew Rogozov, believes that embedding Telegram Stars for blockchain transactions in TON Space will encourage greater adoption of TON Blockchain and facilitate seamless transactions within the messenger’s community.
In a similar move, Tonkeeper, another self-custodial wallet for TON, introduced the “Battery” feature, allowing users to prepay transaction fees.
The TON ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with developments like the TonTrader crypto trading platform surpassing 100,000 trades and the launch of a gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain on TON by Hamster Kombat. These advancements position TON as a key player in blockchain gaming and decentralized applications, bringing innovation to a mainstream audience through Telegram integration.