Telegram is shaking things up in the crypto world with a new mandate that’s got everyone talking.
Starting February 21, all third-party crypto wallets operating within Telegram must integrate TON Connect, making it the sole connection protocol.
One network above all
This decision stems from Telegram’s deepening relationship with The Open Network Foundation, effectively making TON the only supported blockchain for Telegram-based services.
Mini Apps previously running on Ethereum, BNB, and other blockchains have got to pack their bags and move to TON, which includes migrating assets and updating smart contracts.
So, what’s TON Connect anyway? Think of it as a secure bridge between your wallet and applications, allowing you to interact without the usual password hassles. While Telegram’s own crypto wallet is already cozy with TON, others are scrambling to adapt.
Telegram Forces All Crypto Wallets to Use TON Connect, Sparking Community Backlash
According to Cointelegraph, Telegram now requires all third-party crypto wallets to use TON Connect as the sole wallet connection protocol and restricts Mini Apps to only support the TON… pic.twitter.com/G4MiSIVP2K
— Coin8 Exchange (@Coin8_Exchange) February 7, 2025
The decision
Bitget Wallet Lite hopped on the TON Connect train early, but others aren’t so thrilled, for example Grindery Wallet is even considering leaving Telegram altogether, with CEO Tim Delhaes blasting the move as monopolistic.
Of course, Telegram sees it differently. Standardizing with TON Connect could boost security and create a smoother user experience, plus, it strengthens the TON ecosystem and its Toncoin token.
It’s a bold move, but is it a step towards centralization, or a strategic play to streamline crypto integration within the messaging giant?
User experience
For users, it could mean greater security and ease of use, but it also means fewer choices, potentially forcing some to switch wallets.
And let’s not forget the risk of relying on a single protocol, which could make the system vulnerable.
Meanwhile, TON Teleport’s testnet is rolling out updates, including transaction history, lower fees, and auto-status updates.
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