Telegram has recently announced two significant updates: the introduction of a new in-app browser and a mini-app store. These updates, revealed in a blog post on July 31, aim to enhance the user experience for Telegram’s approximately 950 million users.
Exploring Decentralized Websites with the New Web3 Browser
The new browser within Telegram supports decentralized websites hosted on the Open Network (TON). This platform, introduced in 2023, allows users to create and access decentralized websites via TON Sites. Initially, access to TON Sites was limited to specific entry points known as TON Proxies.
According to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the new browser is fully equipped with features typical of traditional web browsers. Users can seamlessly switch between web browsing and messaging, opening up blockchain-based web experiences to nearly a billion users.
“This opens the world of blockchain-based web to almost a billion users,” Durov said in an Aug. 1 post.
Mini-App Store: A Hub for Telegram’s Popular Mini-Apps
In addition to the browser, Telegram has launched a mini-app store, accessible via the app’s search section. This store consolidates all mini-apps in one place, making it easier for users to find and use them. Telegram reports that 500 million of its users interact with mini-apps monthly.
The mini-app ecosystem uses “Stars,” an in-app payment unit introduced on June 7, 2024. These tokens can be sent to friends and used to make payments within mini-apps. Stars can also be swapped for Toncoin, the native token of the TON network.
Popular Mini-Apps and Future Developments
Telegram’s mini-apps have gained immense popularity. Notable examples include Notcoin and Hamster Kombat (HMSTR), which have attracted millions of users worldwide. Hamster Kombat, in particular, has become one of the fastest-growing web3 applications, surpassing 300 million users since its launch in March 2024. The project is preparing for what it calls the “largest airdrop in the history of crypto” for its HMSTR token on TON.
Another successful mini-app, Catizen, launched alongside Hamster Kombat in March, has attracted over 500,000 paying users. This success has led to investment in Pluto Studio, the app’s publisher, from Hong Kong-based crypto venture firm HashKey Capital.
Telegram’s introduction of a web3 browser and mini-app store represents a significant step towards integrating blockchain technology and decentralized applications within its platform. These updates not only enhance the user experience but also position Telegram at the forefront of web3 innovation, offering its vast user base new ways to engage with decentralized content and services.
