Is the new feature turning the chat app into a digital marketplace a game changer
Telegram has recently introduced a new feature, Telegram Stars, that is transforming its messaging app into a digital marketplace. This innovative feature allows users to not only chat with friends but also buy digital goods such as e-books, online courses, and in-game items. Telegram Stars was launched on June 6, and it has opened up a new world of possibilities within the app.
With over 400 million users interacting with bots and mini-apps monthly, Telegram has always been more than just a messaging app. People have been using it to buy products, access services, and play games. However, the new update allows bots and mini apps to sell digital goods and services as well, from e-learning resources to digital art.
These Stars can be purchased through in-app purchases on Apple and Google platforms or via PremiumBot. Once users have Stars, they can spend them on digital products offered by various bots. The digital sales comply with Apple and Google’s policies, ensuring smooth transactions.
In the future, developers will also be able to convert their earned Stars into TON, Telegram’s cryptocurrency, through Fragment, allowing them to sell it on exchanges or keep it as an investment.
The CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, mentioned that Apple and Google take a hefty 30% commission when users buy Stars from their platforms, but Telegram has a clever solution. They plan to subsidize ads purchased with Telegram Stars, allowing developers to offset the commission costs. This means that developers can use their earned Stars to promote their apps within Telegram, effectively bringing the overall commission down to nearly zero.
With the recent boom in mini apps on Telegram, launching and promoting apps on the platform could be more cost-effective than on traditional mobile platforms. The success stories of apps like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat, which have leveraged Telegram’s platform to achieve rapid growth, demonstrate the potential impact of Telegram Stars.
Telegram has also made strides in the crypto space, launching Tether on the TON blockchain in April. In the future, developers will be able to withdraw their earned Stars in TON through Fragment.
The surge in TON has been partly due to the increased whale activity, with transactions over $100,000 spiking by 237.5% just days before the launch of Telegram Stars.
The future looks promising for Telegram and its ecosystem, with the potential for more mini-apps, user growth, and partnerships within the crypto space. Telegram is certainly solidifying its role in the digital economy.
