- Telegram’s in-app browser now supports decentralized websites built on the TON blockchain.
- Users can access games and services within mini apps, with Web3 features available on both mobile and desktop.
Telegram has introduced access to decentralized websites through a new in-app browser. The feature brings Web3 functionality directly to the messaging platform’s large user base.
In a July 31 announcement, Telegram described the update as expanding Web3 access to millions of its users and adding a range of new capabilities to the app ecosystem.
“Today’s update brings a new in-app browser that supports multiple tabs and makes Web3 available to almost a billion users, a Mini App Store, a new kind of mini apps, the ability to gift Stars to friends — and much more,” the Telegram team said.
In-app support for TON Sites
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov confirmed that the TON blockchain will host the decentralized websites known as “TON Sites.” These sites will be accessible through Telegram’s mobile and desktop apps, providing a native path to Web3 content.
With this addition, Telegram’s more than 950 million monthly users gain a new way to discover and use decentralized web content. The browser is designed to let users switch seamlessly between messaging and website browsing, combining communication with content consumption.
“The Browser lets users switch between viewing websites and messaging, merging communication with news consumption. It is equipped with all the features you would expect from a browser — like search, bookmarks, and multiple tabs,” Durov wrote.
More than 500 million Telegram users already use mini apps each month. The new in-app browser and the previously announced Mini App Store aim to expand access to games and services across that active user base.
Tap-to-earn crypto apps on Telegram
Telegram’s crypto-friendly ecosystem continues to attract gaming apps that incorporate blockchain features. One notable example is Hamster Kombat, a tap-to-earn game that has seen rapid growth within the crypto community.
Hamster Kombat has drawn millions of players and is approaching a major milestone, with an airdrop among the most anticipated events in the sector this year.
Another prominent mini app on Telegram is Catizen, which is also built on the TON blockchain. According to Durov, Catizen has attracted over 26 million players and generated around $16 million in revenue from in-app purchases.