TON Space Allows Telegram Users to Pay Gas Fees with Stars

TON Space, a self-custodial wallet integrated into Telegram’s Wallet feature, has introduced a new method for users to pay gas fees using Telegram Stars. This update eliminates the need for users to hold Toncoin (TON) for transaction fees, streamlining the process and making blockchain transactions more accessible. The integration with Telegram’s vast user base, which exceeds 950 million users, has the potential to significantly boost the adoption of the TON blockchain.

Since exiting beta in December 2024, over 100 million TON Space wallets have been created. This shift aims to enhance the blockchain experience for Telegram users by removing one of the biggest friction points for new users—acquiring and managing blockchain tokens to cover transaction costs. Users can now leverage their Telegram Stars to pay for blockchain fees when sending or swapping tokens. If users do not have enough Stars in their TON Space balance, they can purchase them directly from within their non-custodial wallet.

The cost in Stars depends on the current exchange rate in Toncoin (TON). Since Toncoin is a volatile asset, this can affect the network fee you pay with Stars. This integration could pave the way for broader blockchain usage within mainstream social applications, given Telegram’s influence and TON’s rapid adoption. The change is expected to lower barriers to entry for millions looking to engage with blockchain technology, potentially increasing adoption exponentially.

“TON has already become an integral part of the Telegram ecosystem. By embedding Telegram Stars to pay for blockchain transactions in TON Space, we are bringing crypto even closer to the messenger’s community. Since Stars is native for Telegram, using it to pay for blockchain fees will encourage greater adoption of TON Blockchain while enabling seamless and easy transactions,” said The Open Platform CEO Andrew Rogozov. A similar feature has already been implemented in Tonkeeper, another self-custodial wallet for TON, which introduced the “Battery” feature allowing users to prepay transaction fees.

This update comes amid rapid developments within the TON ecosystem. Recent events, including the release of Telegram founder Pavel Durov by French authorities, could further boost TON’s growth. The expansion of TON’s gaming ecosystem is another noteworthy trend, with Hamster Kombat launching a gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain on TON. This move signals a push towards greater scalability and increased gaming adoption on the network. These developments position TON as a major player in blockchain gaming and decentralized applications (dApps), bringing these innovations to a mainstream audience.

As TON integrates Telegram Stars into its blockchain ecosystem, it not only simplifies user transactions but also encourages greater participation among Telegram’s vast user base. This strategic move could bolster the growth of TON, making it a cornerstone technology in the intersection of messaging and decentralized finance.