Key Points:

  • The Open Network (TON) launched the TON Applications Chain (TAC) using Polygon's technology to support Ethereum-based apps on Telegram.

  • TON blockchain Layer 2 aims to boost liquidity and DeFi adoption in the TON ecosystem, supporting gaming and identity solutions.

  • The launch coincides with a surge in Telegram crypto gaming and increased integration of TON within the platform.

According to CoinDesk, the team behind The Open Network (TON), a prominent blockchain integrated with the Telegram messaging platform, announced the launch of its own layer-2 network, the TON Applications Chain (TAC), at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels, Belgium.

TON Blockchain Layer 2 to Boost Liquidity and DeFi Adoption in the Ecosystem

TON blockchain Layer 2 will utilize Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK) and AggLayer, technologies that enhance blockchain interoperability and enable the creation of customized layer-2 blockchains.

The new protocol aims to bring Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-based decentralized applications to TON’s ecosystem and provide Ethereum developers with the tools to build applications for Telegram users. TAC is expected to boost liquidity and accelerate the adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) within the TON ecosystem, while also supporting a wide range of applications including gaming and decentralized identity solutions.

Pavel Altukhov, founder of TAC, explained that the choice to build on Polygon's ecosystem was driven by its EVM compatibility, available liquidity, deployment support, and expertise within Polygon’s EVM community.

Telegram's Crypto Gaming Surge and TON Integration

The decision aligns TON blockchain Layer 2 with a growing trend of major blockchain companies developing their own layer-2 networks. Coinbase, for instance, launched its Base blockchain with Optimism’s OP Stack in August 2023, followed by similar initiatives from protocols like Celo, Worldcoin, and OKX.

The announcement of TAC coincides with a surge in Telegram gaming, particularly games incentivized by cryptocurrency. The recently launched. Hamster Kombat game has garnered over 200 million players, reflecting the popularity of the Tap to Earn model. Telegram has also increasingly integrated TON, using it to pay channel operators a share of ad revenue.

Michael Egorov, founder of Curve Finance, is among the key figures behind TAC. The Layer 2 development is part of a broader strategy to enhance TON’s capabilities and extend its reach within the blockchain and cryptocurrency community.

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