Builder is back, anchoring the Telegram ecosystem, is OKX Web3 making another big move?

Since its launch, Telegram has rapidly risen to prominence with its strong privacy protection and communication features. As of 2024, it has reached 900 million monthly active users, a 12.5% increase from last year, making it the fourth largest messaging app globally, following WhatsApp, WeChat, and Messenger. This vast user base not only solidifies Telegram's position in the Web2 communication space but also lays the groundwork for its expansion into the Web3 domain.

By integrating the TON ecosystem, Telegram introduces a Web3 product experience that retains its core communication functions while adding features such as encrypted payments, digital asset management, and decentralized applications (dApps). Leveraging Telegram's traffic advantages and the payment and transaction capabilities provided by TON, the Mini Apps within the Telegram ecosystem now encompass over 20 types of applications, including staking, wallets, and centralized exchanges (CEX), offering users a richer Web3 interactive experience.

Moreover, TON also brings new profit opportunities for developers. However, most applications (especially games and social mini-programs) currently focus on meme culture and entertainment speculation, making it difficult to meet the needs of a large-scale Web2 user base, and the ecosystem is still in its early stages.

Regarding the Telegram ecosystem, we know the following: a large user base and a very open and flexible social ecosystem. What remains unknown is: how to make it a "cross-sea bridge" for people from the Web2 world and the Web3 realm to interact freely?

1. Overview of OKX Web3's Product Layout in the Telegram Ecosystem

In response, OKX Web3 is providing answers.

On one hand, it has launched the native Mini Wallet for Telegram, allowing users to manage assets, swap, and perform cross-chain operations within Telegram, helping users quickly navigate the TON ecosystem. On the other hand, it has introduced OKX Connect, a communication protocol between wallets and applications within the Telegram ecosystem, enabling developers to seamlessly connect their dApps developed on Telegram with different public chain ecosystems, thus creating the best on-chain experience for a wider range of users.

"OKX Connect essentially acts like middleware, helping EVM and other ecosystems connect with the Telegram ecosystem; the role of OKX Mini Wallet is to serve as the Web3 entry point for Telegram users, as we support the most comprehensive chains and dApp connections, allowing users to complete transfers, cross-chain operations, swaps, and more directly on Telegram without needing to switch platforms. Overall, our value lies in helping Telegram users easily enter the native cryptocurrency ecosystem while providing native crypto projects the opportunity to reach Telegram users, gradually attracting the 900 million Telegram users into Web3."

A relevant person from OKX Web3 stated that the uniqueness of OKX Connect lies in its being the only bridge connecting non-TON chain dApps with Telegram users. For users, the OKX Web3 wallet first supports asset management and DeFi protocol parsing across over 100 chains and dApp connections. In Telegram, other wallets typically support only a few chains, making OKX Mini Wallet far more convenient.

"Project teams are eager to directly reach real users, and Telegram is the most desired platform to connect with, rather than just an address. However, there are very few protocols supporting wallet connections on Telegram Mini Apps, and Ton Connect supports the TON chain, making it difficult for dApps from other ecosystems to connect. Therefore, from this perspective, the existence of OKX Connect is a key bridge for various projects to establish connections with Web2 users," he continued.

Currently, many project teams have improved their development efficiency due to the emergence of OKX Connect. The non-custodial AI Telegram trading terminal Bitbot stated that OKX Connect provides smooth connections, one-click recharge and transfer, simplifying operational steps and enhancing user experience. The consumer layer project Duckchain, which focuses on the Telegram ecosystem, mentioned that OKX Connect offers a seamless and reliable connection solution, allowing it to easily integrate multi-chain functionality within DuckChain, enhancing user experience and promoting deep interconnection with the TON ecosystem.

2. Why Support the Construction of the Telegram Ecosystem?

In addition, OKX Mini Wallet has also integrated OKX Connect, allowing users to deploy and interact directly within the Telegram Mini Apps on TON, Sui, EVM, and Solana chains without switching to other apps.

To further attract users to experience the Telegram ecosystem, the OKX Web3 wallet has launched multiple activities that provide rewards while guiding users to enjoy the Telegram ecosystem.

Currently, users of the OKX Web3 wallet can obtain exclusive benefits through various activities such as Giveaway, Cryptopedia, and Mantle Telegram Adventure. For instance, in the Mantle Telegram Adventure event, users can connect via OKX Connect to multiple Mantle-based mini-games deployed on Telegram, with a chance to win rewards totaling approximately $100,000 in $MNT.

Clearly, OKX is simplifying the process for Web2 users to enter Telegram Web3 applications through the combination of OKX Mini Wallet and OKX Connect, breaking down barriers between the Telegram ecosystem and other public chain ecosystems, and encouraging more users to enter Web3.

Striving for the aforementioned "cross-sea bridge."

"After Telegram launched Mini Apps, it became the easiest channel to reach users in the Web3 space. There has been no native social application in the Web3 field, and most on-chain users use Telegram, but their main activities on Telegram are off-chain. When Telegram supports Mini Apps and the emergence of Ton Connect and OKX Connect, it allows Telegram users to easily engage in on-chain interactions in their daily lives and conversations with friends, such as payments, sending red envelopes, voting, and sharing on-chain dynamics," the head of OKX Web3 products admitted. The team has consistently driven innovation, leading the construction of industry infrastructure, which is their core driving force for anchoring and actively building within the Telegram ecosystem.

Looking back, whether in the Bitcoin ecosystem, Ethereum ecosystem, or Solana ecosystem, OKX Web3 has actively participated in construction and achieved significant results and user recognition. As long as there is user demand and industry demand, the team has always been in action.

In addition to product-level support, OKX Ventures, The Open Platform (TOP), and Folius Ventures have jointly announced the launch of the $10 million accelerator Telegram Growth Hub, providing funding and support for projects that enhance user engagement within the TON and Telegram ecosystems, promoting innovation in the TON public chain and expanding the Telegram Mini Apps ecosystem. In addition to financial support, up to 10 selected projects will also receive multi-dimensional support in product infrastructure, marketing, and growth.

As the saying goes: "The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago; the second best time is now."

All signs indicate that the OKX Web3 team is consistently taking practical actions to promote industry development. As the slogan goes: Less talk, less drama, more building.

Risk Warning and Disclaimer

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