Telegram Exclusively Implements TON Connect, Dividing the Community
Telegram has taken a decisive step in its crypto integration by imposing TON Connect as the sole connection protocol for third-party wallets operating on its platform. This radical change, announced as part of an exclusive partnership with The Open Network (TON) Foundation, now limits the Mini Apps ecosystem to only applications compatible with the TON blockchain. This decision raises concerns about the growing centralization of the Telegram environment and the sidelining of other major blockchains.
A Forced Migration Under the Threat of Exclusion
Starting from February 21st, all third-party wallets integrated with Telegram must comply with the new requirements or else face suspension. This entails developers migrating their existing assets, adapting their smart contracts, and adopting TON Connect exclusively as the interaction protocol. However, Wallet in Telegram, the messaging service’s native feature based on TON, will not be affected by this transition, confirming Telegram’s intention to centralize crypto services around TON.
Reactions Divided Between Opportunity and Rejection
Some ecosystem actors, such as Bitget Wallet Lite, anticipated this shift by integrating TON Connect as early as January 2024. For Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet, this transition aims to simplify access to blockchain services and enhance interoperability within the Telegram ecosystem. However, not everyone shares this optimistic view.
Several developers denounce this monopolistic maneuver that could harm the diversity of the crypto ecosystem on Telegram. Grindery Wallet, a multichain service, is even considering leaving the platform, criticizing a decision made without consultation and with an extremely short adaptation period. Its co-founder, Tim Delhaes, accuses Telegram of following the path of tech giants by imposing forced centralization, betraying the initial spirit of the project.
An Uncertain Future for the Mini Apps Ecosystem
The restriction to only TON-based tokens and NFTs could lead to a hemorrhage of developers and fragmentation of the community. By limiting its ecosystem, Telegram is betting on intensive TON development but also risks alienating users attached to a multichain approach. The question of TON’s scalability in the face of massive adoption also remains unanswered, with some doubting its ability to handle a significant influx of network activity.
A Strategic yet Risky Decision
While Telegram aims to accelerate TON adoption by locking down its infrastructure, this decision could have the opposite effect by weakening the trust of developers and users. At a time when the trend is towards openness and interoperability between blockchains, this exclusive bet on TON could redefine the future of messaging in the crypto universe, for better or for worse.
