Telegram Revolutionizes Web3 Access with Innovative Browser and Mini App Store

Telegram, the renowned crypto-friendly communications app, has unveiled a state-of-the-art browser and a mini app store, along with a series of exciting updates.

The newly introduced browser allows users to seamlessly switch between browsing websites and engaging in platform messaging. One of its standout features is support for decentralized websites, referred to as TON Sites. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov highlighted this integration on the messaging app, emphasizing the browser's capability to host decentralized websites on The Open Network (TON).

"Telegram's browser supports decentralized websites hosted on TON — in all mobile and native desktop apps. This makes Web3 immediately available to our almost one billion monthly users," the Telegram team detailed in a Wednesday blog post.

A key addition to the platform is the ability for users to send Stars, a unit of the mini-app payment system, to their contacts. The mini-app store itself has seen significant improvements, including enhanced search options, developer previews, and the ability to share mini apps through a feature called Stories. These updates follow Durov's announcement on July 19, where he laid out plans to integrate an in-app browser and mini-app store.

This year has seen a surge in the popularity of games on Telegram, notably the web3 tap-to-earn game Catizen, which has generated an impressive $16 million in in-app purchases. Other popular games like Hamster Kombat also leverage The Open Network's native cryptocurrency, Toncoin (TON), which recently traded at $6.79, marking a 1.05% increase in the past 24 hours.

With these groundbreaking updates, Telegram is poised to make Web3 more accessible than ever to its nearly one billion users, further cementing its position as a leader in the integration of decentralized technologies.