Telegram Mini Apps are rapidly emerging as a groundbreaking tool that simplifies how users interact with blockchain technology. These apps, which are accessible directly from the Telegram interface, offer a frictionless experience by eliminating the need for traditional downloads and registrations. Telegram is making blockchain tools and services more accessible to a broader audience.
While early adoption has been driven primarily by gaming, other sectors, such as social engagement, lifestyle, travel, blockchain decentralised finance (DeFi), and crypto venture capital (VC) firms, are beginning to notice the potential of these apps.
Growing Verticals on Telegram Mini Apps
SocialFi
Telegram’s community-centric features are giving rise to a new wave of SocialFi (Social Finance) apps that enable users to monetise their content and interactions within the platform. By integrating features like bot moderators, polls, and enhanced privacy settings, these Mini Apps offer fresh ways to foster online communities and drive engagement.
TON Dating (@TONDating_bot on Telegram): A Web3 dating service built on the TON platform. It offers a unique payment model where female users enjoy the app free of charge, whereas male users pay with Telegram Stars. The app emphasises user authenticity through identity verification and offers rewards for actions like inviting friends or receiving likes, blending blockchain verification with a secure and engaging experience.
Lifestyle & Travel
Lifestyle and travel services are also tapping into Telegram Mini Apps, delivering services such as ride-hailing within the messaging platform. These apps simplify the user experience by integrating seamless payments and real-time updates, eliminating the need for standalone apps.
TADA (@ride_tada): Launched at TOKEN2049 Singapore, this Mini App allows users to book rides directly within Telegram and pay with cryptocurrency. It brings a Web3 solution to everyday services, streamlining the ride-hailing experience.
DeFi (Decentralised Finance)
The integration of DeFi into Telegram Mini Apps makes it accessible for users to manage digital assets, potentially drawing interest of Web3 VC funds. By incorporating decentralised financial services like trading, lending, borrowing, and staking, these Mini Apps reduce dependency on centralised intermediaries, fostering a more open financial ecosystem.
STON.FI (@ston_fi): A decentralised exchange (DEX) on the TON blockchain, STON.FI enables direct, secure, and cost-efficient cross-chain swaps without bridging or wrapping. The app also provides yield farming and staking opportunities, helping users earn rewards on deposited assets.
DeDust (@dedust_io) A cutting-edge DEX and Automated Market Maker (AMM) on the TON blockchain. DeDust’s design prioritises gas efficiency and user experience, while leveraging TON’s sharding and actor model. This innovation in decentralised exchanges is shaping a new era for DeFi applications.
Telegram Mini Apps are redefining blockchain accessibility by integrating various sectors like SocialFi, lifestyle, travel, and DeFi within a user-friendly messaging platform. The rapid growth of these apps signals a shift toward more seamless and accessible blockchain experiences, bridging the gap between traditional users and emerging decentralised technologies. Telegram’s focus on providing simplified, yet powerful tools, positions it to be a significant player in the future of blockchain-driven services, drawing more crypto VCs' interest.
As more Mini Apps emerge, Telegram has the potential to become a central hub for both Web2 and Web3 users alike.
*Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other form of professional advice. aelf makes no guarantees or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information on this blog. You should not make any investment decisions based solely on the information provided on this blog. You should always consult with a qualified financial or legal advisor before making any investment decisions.
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aelf Ventures is the investment arm of aelf, a high-performance Layer 1 AI blockchain platform that offers builders and users advanced AI functionalities and cutting-edge infrastructure. With a dedicated fund of $50 million, aelf Ventures is focused on empowering Layer 1 blockchain projects and various aspects of the Web3 ecosystem, such as DeFi, GameFi, NFT, and those looking to make the transition from Web2 to Web3.
Till date, aelf Ventures has invested in projects such Crystal Fun and Confiction Labs (pka. Mythic Protocol), and is actively incubating promising ventures within the ecosystem such as Portkey, eBridge, Forest NFT Marketplace, AwakenSwap, eWell, and BeanGoTown.