Telegram Embraces Blockchain Revolution: Unveils Plans to Tokenize Features and Share Revenue

Telegram's Pavel Durov has committed the messaging platform to blockchain technology, outlining plans to tokenize features, share ad revenue with users, and integrate Tether's stablecoin. Emphasizing blockchain's potential for freedom and privacy, Durov aims to build out functionality on The Open Network (TON), allowing users to develop tools, apps, and businesses on the platform. Telegram's revenue-sharing model through its Ad Network aims to provide content generators with a substantial share of revenue.

Telegram Embraces Blockchain Revolution, Unveiling Ambitious Plans to Tokenize Features and Share Revenue with Users

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - In a resounding declaration of faith in blockchain technology, Pavel Durov, the visionary founder of Telegram, has unveiled a groundbreaking roadmap to integrate this transformative technology into the core fabric of the popular messaging application. Addressing a captivated audience at the Token2049 conference in Dubai, Durov outlined plans to tokenize Telegram features, empower users to monetize their content through an unprecedented revenue-sharing model, and seamlessly onboard Tether's stablecoins onto the Telegram Open Network (TON).

"We are ardent believers in the transformative power of blockchain. It is a beacon of freedom and privacy, perfectly aligned with our core values," Durov proclaimed. "Telegram's iconic paper airplane logo embodies our unwavering commitment to freedom of movement and expression."

Boasting over 900 million monthly active users, Telegram has consistently defied industry norms by prioritizing user empowerment and data privacy. In a bold departure from the traditional monetization strategies adopted by social media juggernauts, Telegram has steadfastly resisted the temptation to sell user data to advertisers. Instead, the company has embraced a user-centric approach, recognizing the value of content creators and the transformative potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize revenue sharing.

"Telegram is charting a new course in the realm of social media monetization," Durov declared. "Our recently announced Ad Network represents one of the most generous revenue-sharing models in the industry's history." Under this innovative model, Telegram will distribute 50% of its advertising and broadcast channel revenue to content creators and channel owners utilizing the TON network.

"These transactions, encompassing ad payments and withdrawals, will be powered by the immutable ledger of the blockchain," Durov explained. "Telegram will exclusively leverage the TON blockchain for this purpose."

Durov's vision extends far beyond revenue sharing. He envisions a future where users of all stripes, from administrators of large group chats to content creators, can harness the power of blockchain to monetize their creations and secure a fair share of the advertising revenue generated by Telegram. The company estimates that the blockchain-powered advertising market could reach astronomical heights, potentially exceeding tens of billions of dollars, with users reaping significant benefits.

Moreover, blockchain technology will empower Telegram to circumvent the restrictive in-app purchase mechanisms imposed by Apple and Google, which often hinder the ability of app developers and merchants to conduct seamless transactions. Despite these limitations, Telegram has demonstrated its commitment to user convenience by integrating over 40 payment providers, including industry leaders like Stripe, enabling users to purchase physical goods and services within the app.

Durov's bold vision for Telegram's blockchain integration doesn't end there. The company is poised to tokenize stickers and emojis on Telegram, paving the way for users to own a piece of the Telegram ecosystem. Durov revealed that Telegram's experimentation with tokenization has already yielded impressive results, with the company's in-platform marketplace generating a staggering $350 million in sales. The next frontier in Telegram's tokenization journey is the issuance of tokens for Telegram stickers.

To support this ambitious roadmap, Telegram is leveraging the scalability and efficiency of the TON network, which boasts the capacity to process tens to hundreds of millions of transactions in the future. Durov's announcement was met with resounding applause from the conference attendees, signaling the industry's recognition of Telegram's pioneering role in the convergence of messaging and blockchain technology.

In a move that further underscores Telegram's commitment to blockchain innovation, Tether, the leading issuer of stablecoins, announced the launch of its U.S. dollar-pegged USDT and gold-pegged Tether Gold (XAUT) stablecoins on the TON network. The integration of Tether's stablecoins into Telegram's ecosystem will provide users with a secure and reliable medium of exchange, facilitating seamless transactions and bridging the gap between the traditional financial system and the burgeoning world of decentralized finance.

The genesis of TON lies in Telegram's own development efforts, but legal challenges with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission led to Telegram's withdrawal from the project in May 2020. Undeterred, a dedicated team of open-source developers assumed responsibility for TON's continued development, culminating in the establishment of the TON Foundation in May 2021.

Telegram's embrace of blockchain technology is a resounding testament to the company's unwavering commitment to innovation, user empowerment, and the transformative potential of decentralized systems. As the messaging giant continues to forge ahead on its blockchain journey, it is poised to revolutionize the way users interact with digital content, monetize their creations, and experience the boundless possibilities of the internet's future.