Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Indicates Web3 Integration Coming To The Platform

Encrypted messaging platform Telegram's founder Pavel Durov has hinted that Web3 integrations may be added to the messaging app soon.

Durov mentioned how impressed he was with successful auction of TON, which is an independent project not affiliated with Telegram. Image: Getty

Encrypted messaging platform Telegram's founder Pavel Durov has hinted that Web3 integrations may be added to the messaging app soon. Detailing about the idea on his personal Telegram group named Durov's channel, the Telegram founder mentioned how impressed he was with successful auction of TON, which is an independent project not affiliated with Telegram. He went on to describe how Telegram can replicate TON's auction on the messaging platform. 

"I'm really impressed by the success of the auction TON recently conducted for their domain/wallet names. Wallet.ton was sold for 215,250 Toncoin (~$260000) while casino.ton was sold for ~$244000," Durov wrote on his personal Telegram group.

"If TON has been able to achieve these results, imagine how successful Telegram with its 700 million users could be if we put reserved @ usernames, group and channel links for auction. In addition to millions of catchy t.me addresses like @storm or @royal, all four-letter usernames could be made available for sale (@bank, @club, @game, @gift etc)," Durov added.

Seems like Durov has planned long-term for this venture and according to him, "This would create a new platform where username holders could transfer them to interested parties in protected deals – with ownership secured on the blockchain via NFT-like smart-contracts. Other elements of the Telegram ecosystem, including channels, stickers or emoji, could later also become part of this marketplace."

It should be noted that earlier in May, the popular encrypted messaging app started supporting crypto payments. According to Protocol, the addition could make crypto payments on messaging platforms more mainstream.

Recently, Telegram also added Telegram Premium subscription where users are able to download media and files at the fastest possible speed. With Telegram Premium, users can follow up to 1,000 channels, create up to 20 chat folders with up to 200 chats each, add a fourth account to any Telegram app, pin 10 chats in the main list and save up to 10 favourite stickers.