Telegram’s Blockchain Leap: TON Partners with Polygon

The Open Network (TON), closely linked to the well-known messaging platform Telegram, is set to unveil its first layer-2 scaling network through a collaboration with Polygon Labs. This strategic partnership is designed to connect TON with the Ethereum ecosystem, utilizing Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK) and AggLayer interoperability protocol to support Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) applications within the TON framework.

Introducing the TON Applications Chain (TAC), this initiative marks an official layer-2 extension to Ethereum. According to a TON spokesperson, TAC is being developed in conjunction with The Open Platform (TOP), recognized for creating the Wallet Bot mini app for Telegram and other projects associated with TON and Telegram.

“This collaboration empowers us to bridge the TON and Ethereum ecosystems, enabling seamless integration of decentralized apps within Telegram and driving unprecedented user engagement,” said TAC CEO Pavel Altukhov in an official statement.

The TAC layer-2 announcement arrives amid a surge in Telegram’s gaming sector, driven by crypto incentives. Following the introduction of Notcon and its NOT token on TON, a new game, Hamster Kombat, has garnered over 200 million players in recent weeks, anticipating its token launch on TON later this month.

Telegram has been increasingly adopting TON, even using it to pay channel operators a share of ad revenue. This scaling network is touted as a means to enhance decentralized finance (DeFi) activities within the TON ecosystem. Michael Egorov, founder of Curve Finance, is a key figure in the founding team behind TAC.

“The collaboration between TAC and Polygon Labs brings essential EVM expertise to TON,” Egorov highlighted in a press release. “With this, TAC can connect millions of Telegram users with DeFi, potentially driving the next wave of DeFi adoption.”

Although the excitement is palpable, there is no specified timeline for the launch of the layer-2 chain.

The alliance between TON and Polygon Labs marks a significant advancement for Telegram’s blockchain aspirations. By integrating EVM capabilities into the TON ecosystem, this partnership is poised to enhance decentralized application integration within Telegram, potentially transforming user engagement and DeFi adoption on a grand scale. With influential figures like Michael Egorov on board, the future looks bright for TON’s growth and its impact on the broader cryptocurrency landscape.