PAWS Migrates to Solana Sparking 9 Million Wallet Downloads
1min read PAWS, a popular Mini App on Telegram, has recently migrated to the Solana blockchain. This move comes in response to new requirements imposed by Telegram, which now mandates that all Mini Apps and third-party crypto wallets on its platform operate exclusively on the TON blockchain. This policy has sparked debates about decentralization and the prevention of multichain expansion, forcing apps like PAWS to choose between running solely on TON or leaving the ecosystem altogether.
PAWS, a SocialFi project that rewards users for engagement, decided to migrate to Solana rather than remain confined to a closed ecosystem. This decision has resulted in significant additional traffic for the Solana ecosystem. Since the migration, users have downloaded over 9 million Phantom crypto wallets and funded more than 1 million new Solana addresses, all occurring before PAWS’ token generation event (TGE).
Non-fungible token (NFT) vouchers offered by PAWS have also become a significant presence on Solana-based NFT marketplace Magic Eden, sparking more than 100,000 transactions in just two weeks. This development showcases that a committed community can follow a project through migration to a different chain if the underlying product remains accessible and engaging.
The migration of PAWS to Solana has revived a long-standing debate revolving around value extraction and value injection. Many blockchain initiatives rely on short bursts of liquidity or speculative token trading, often resulting in value extraction from underlying ecosystems. These models can drive abrupt capital inflows and outflows, intensifying market volatility and exposing ecosystem participants to sudden risks. In contrast, PAWS emphasizes sustained user participation rather than relying solely on speculative token gains. By presenting a model that focuses on consistent engagement, the project seeks to build an ever-growing community.
The Solana migration involves a rebranding process to turn the project into an intellectual property and position it as a long-lasting Web3 brand. Moving forward, PAWS aims to evolve from a viral Telegram application into a full-fledged Web3 brand with multiple revenue streams and strong community loyalty. To achieve this, the project plans to grow its ecosystem through DeFi integrations, gaming partnerships, and social engagement tools. Realizing the multichain possibility is also on the radar, with plans to expand across Ethereum, layer-2 chains, and beyond.
Beyond the crypto space, PAWS seeks to establish itself as a recognizable brand through real-world 