Open Network (TON), initially backed by Telegram, has quickly gained traction in the cryptocurrency space. However, this growth has not been without significant controversy and skepticism, particularly regarding the integrity of the ecosystem and user safety.
Airdrop and user mining
The recent success of airdrops like Notcoin and DOGS has attracted attention, but many users feel that these initiatives are overshadowed by the numerous scams and failed projects in the TON ecosystem. Critics argue that while some airdrops have proven profitable, many others appear to be designed to exploit users, pressuring them to pay to earn or participate in seemingly attractive incentives. This has led to accusations that developers are making huge profitsâpotentially tens of millions of dollarsâwhile users are getting little return on their investment.
Phishing: The TON ecosystem has seen an increase in phishing attacks, exploiting the free nature of Telegram. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency around airdrops or investment opportunities, luring users into revealing sensitive information or granting wallet permissions.
Wallet Drainers: New scams targeting TON wallets have emerged, with unsuspecting users being tricked into signing transactions that drain their assets. This highlights the vulnerability of many newcomers to the cryptocurrency space who are unfamiliar with security protocols.
The Impact of a Successful Airdrop
Despite the criticism, successful initiatives like the DOGS token have shown real potential for success in the TON ecosystem. The launch of the DOGS token reportedly attracted over 17 million users and generated huge trading volumes shortly after launch, demonstrating strong community interest.
However, this success has also put a strain on the network, leading to outages that raise questions about the network's scalability and reliability.
User Growth vs. Fraud Risk: While the number of active wallets on TON has skyrocketed, with reports of over 700,000 daily active users during peak times, this growth has also attracted scammers looking to capitalize on the influx of new participants.
Community sentiment: Many community members expressed frustration with the lack of accountability between developers and project leaders. The sentiment was that while some projects thrive, others serve only as a way to make money at the expense of everyday users.
Conclusion
The TON network is at a crossroads. While boasting impressive user engagement and growth potential through innovative projects like DOGS, the network also faces significant challenges related to scams and user exploitation. As the ecosystem grows, it is important for both developers and users to prioritize security and transparency to foster a more trustworthy environment in the rapidly evolving world of digital currencies. For now, many in the community remain wary, questioning whether the TON network will overcome its current reputation as a âscam zoneâ or continue down a path fraught with risk and disappointment.
