Author: Vincent
Introduction
Last year’s Telegram (TG) trading robot and this year’s popular Tap to earn game both point to an increasingly important target in crypto – TON.
Today! TON is finally listed on Binance~
Binance will list Toncoin (TON) at **2024-08-08 10:00 (UTC+8)** and open trading for the following spot trading pairs.
New spot trading pairs: TON/BTC, TON/USDT, TON/FDUSD, and TON/TRY.
Users can now start depositing TON in preparation for trading.
**Withdrawals will be available at 2024-08-09 10:00 (UTC)**.
TON listing fee: 0 BNB.
Toncoin web browsers: tonviewer.com, tonscan.org, tonscan.com
With 1 billion users, friendly encryption access, and a global potential market... For many reasons, the TON ecosystem has gradually become an indispensable and important part of the Crypto field.
Of course, the reason for everyone's attention may be more fundamentally due to the previous surge in NOT, the huge number of users of DOGS, Hamster Kombat and Catizen. So for builders who want to do projects in crypto, is this an opportunity?
The person in charge of TON blockchain games pointed out that currently about 20% of Telegram users are playing games. Tel has nearly 1 billion users worldwide. If we calculate based on the 20% ratio, that means 200 million users play games through TEL. This is still a large number with unlimited potential in the future. This is just the beginning.
It is worth mentioning that the current trend of games in the TON ecosystem reminds everyone of the WeChat mini-programs. Chinese developers, take a look at the current Catizen, this Pinduoduo-style turntable, friend recommendation, do you smell a familiar smell?
Regarding the article on TON ecology, Greythorn Asset Management has done a relatively detailed analysis in April this year, which is quoted here: "TON Research Report: Ecosystem Exploration, Unique Features and Potential Opportunities"
Four months have passed, and the TON ecosystem has flourished a lot. Friends, remember to update your knowledge base.
Today, I will mainly review the current ecological situation and provide basic knowledge for those who want to develop projects on the TON ecosystem. First, I will give you a mind map:
All projects mentioned in this article are used as case studies and tests, and do not constitute any investment advice.
What follows is a detailed analysis.
1. Telegram features at a glance
1.1. Channel
Channels are a broadcasting tool on Telegram that allow administrators to send messages to a large number of subscribers. Channels have no limit on the number of subscribers, can be public or private, and can set administrator permissions to help manage content publishing.
1.2. Group
Groups are the main way Telegram users interact with each other. With up to 200,000 members, groups are ideal for discussions, information sharing, and collaboration. Administrators can set different permissions, invite new members using fixed links, and enhance group functionality with a variety of bots.
1.3. BOT
BOT is an automated tool in Telegram that can perform various tasks, such as information publishing, user interaction, and data collection. BOT can be used for customer service, games, transactions, and community management. Developers can use Telegram's API to create and customize their own BOT to meet specific needs.
1.4. Mini APP
Mini APP is a lightweight application embedded in Telegram that users can use directly in chats. Mini APP includes wallets, mini games, and tool applications, which can be accessed through BOT or direct links to provide users with convenient and fast services.
1.5. Browser (new feature)
Telegram's built-in browser allows users to open and browse web pages directly within the app without switching to an external browser. And in the version updated at the end of last month, users can collapse pages opened using the in-app browser and reopen them from the bottom bar, allowing them to move freely between messages and websites, instant viewing articles and applets.
2. Some Concept Definitions
Telegram or TON
In my opinion, Telegram and TON are two sectors that are deeply connected to each other but also have some differences. At present, TON can be regarded as the core part of the Telegram ecosystem, providing web3 infrastructure support for all DApp developers in Telegram.
Specifically, the definition is:
Telegram is a widely used instant messaging app known for its strong encryption and flexible development platform.
**The Open Network (TON)** is a blockchain project once launched by the Telegram team, aiming to create a high-speed, decentralized network. TON's goal is to provide secure and fast payment solutions and support decentralized applications (dApps). TON's features include high throughput, low latency, and a user-friendly development environment, which has attracted the attention of a large number of developers and project parties.
So what's the difference?
For example, can a trading robot developed on Telegram connect to the address of ETH/SOL? The answer is yes~
Therefore, as a Telegram BOT or MINI APP project owner, it seems that there is no need to tie yourself to the TON chain.
BOT or Mini APP
In fact, both BOT and Mini APP add more functions to the Telegram platform based on communication. From the perspective of the product:
Since BOT is a form of direct information interaction, it has greater restrictions on complex functions, but there is no need for pop-up windows, just buttons and questions and answers. There is no need to design a UI, so the interaction itself is smoother.
Mini APP has more ways to play, and can be directly embedded in Telegram in the form of H5 pages (more reminiscent of WeChat mini programs), but in other words, it has higher requirements for user experience, such as: stronger perception of stuckness?, and higher requirements for visual design. (UI designers may have new job opportunities here)
3. Telegram’s operations
3.1. Traffic
1. External Platform
Google: Attract users to visit and download Telegram through Google Ads and SEO optimization.
Facebook: Use Facebook ads and page promotion to attract potential users.
Twitter: Engage users through Twitter’s promoted tweets and social interactions.
This part of the push is actually very traditional, but since it is imported from an external platform to Telegram, what you need to consider here is that your users should already have a Telegram account, otherwise the churn rate will be unimaginable if they register again.
At the same time, the next question is, where do you spend this part of the money? In fact, it also depends on Telegram's own users.
Which regions use Telegram more?
Which regions have people already started playing games on Telegram?
Who is more willing to pay on Telegram?
You can benchmark your own projects against competing products and analyze them carefully.
2. Internal streaming
Ads promotion: Use Telegram’s internal advertising system to promote channels, groups, and bots to target users.
Change groups: Increase the exposure and number of members of groups and channels by mutual recommendations and changing groups.
This part is actually for existing Telegram users. Ads promotion is paid with TON, which is also an important combination point. Pay attention to Ads. It feels similar to Google promotion. You should also pay attention to some keywords, review time, whether the group you are targeting has dead fans, etc.
3. Built-in popular recommendations
Telegram has a built-in popular recommendation function that recommends high-quality channels and groups to users.
There is no official explanation yet, but! The powerful community members have summarized some factors that make it easy to get recommended positions.
It is easy to launch new projects, which is equivalent to giving support
The project is very popular. At present, it seems that it is not purely based on the number of users. There may be other considerations.
The total number of stars paid by the user.
In June of this year, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced the launch of Telegram Stars, a new in-app token that can be used to purchase digital goods and services on the platform.
With Telegram Stars, mini programs can now accept payments for digital services using the simplest payment method – in-app purchases on Android and iOS.
4. User fission
Story+ Recommendation (new feature): By publishing stories and recommending friends, users can quickly expand their social network within the platform and increase their activity.
Personally, there are not many projects that post stories now, but the push effect is not bad (maybe because there are still relatively few people posting). I remember DOGS posted a story before. Anyway, if it hadn’t posted a story, I probably wouldn’t go back to read it after receiving the airdrop hhhhhhhhhh
I tried posting a story and here is the result.
3.2. Community Management
1. Channel Update
Update Channel content regularly to ensure that the information is fresh and relevant to attract and maintain subscribers' interest.
2. Active Group
Keep the group active through various activities and interactive content, such as Q&A, discussions, and sharing.
Active robots: Use robots to automate management tasks and increase the interactivity and convenience of the group.
3. Operational Robot
Use robots to perform management tasks such as member review, message filtering, and activity notifications to improve management efficiency.
4. Task Platform
External task platform (Galxe): Use the task system provided by the external platform to increase user engagement and activity.
In-game operation function
Recommendation/fission/retention: embed recommendation and fission mechanisms in the game to encourage users to invite friends, increase user stickiness and retention rate. Catizen's big turntable is really hhhhhhh
4. TG Ecological Development
Next, I will summarize some of the projects I have seen in TG, which are divided into BOT development and APP development.
4.1. BOT Development
Operational Robot
Web3 Tools
Token Gate: Provides access rights to specific users.
NFT Gate: Provides access control based on NFT holdings.
Group management: Develop group management robots to automatically handle daily management tasks, such as group entry verification, spam deletion, scheduled message sending, and scheduled kicking.
Search robot: a robot that can automatically search and publish information.
Cryptobot
Early warning robot: provides market early warning and notification services.
Trading robots: automated trading tools that help users trade efficiently.
Arbitrage Robot: Automatically monitor and execute arbitrage transactions to increase investment returns.
4.2. Mini APP Development
Here you can see the specific classification of TON ecological projects, official link
a. Pledge
Using the staking APP, users can stake TON to earn returns. Such applications usually provide a simple staking process and display the yield and income record, allowing users to easily manage their staked assets.
b. Deposit and Withdrawal
Exchanges
DEX
Trading Tokens (Jettons): Decentralized exchanges (DEX) developed on TON allow users to trade various tokens (Jettons). These platforms automatically execute transactions through smart contracts, ensuring transparency and security of transactions.
OC
Better trading of TON: Centralized exchanges (CEX) provide higher liquidity and more trading pairs, and users can trade TON and other cryptocurrencies more conveniently on these platforms.
wallet
Wallet applications allow users to securely store, send, and receive TON and other cryptocurrencies. Many wallets also offer integrated trading capabilities and staking services.
Cross-chain bridge
Cross-chain bridge applications enable users to transfer assets between different blockchains, realize cross-chain operations, and increase the flexibility and liquidity of assets.
c. Utilities
3.1 Search tools, etc.
These tools provide convenient search functions to help users quickly find the information they need.
Web3 Tools
Block Explorer
The block browser allows users to view transaction records and other relevant data of the TON blockchain, providing transparent and detailed on-chain information.
Cross-chain bridge
Cross-chain bridge tools enable users to transfer assets between different blockchains, increasing the flexibility of assets.
Faucet
Faucet tools provide free TON or other cryptocurrencies to help new users obtain initial funds and experience blockchain services.
d.VPN
VPN tools help users protect their privacy and ensure a secure network connection, especially when using blockchain and cryptocurrency services.
e. Development Tools
These tools provide developers with the necessary resources and support to help them develop and deploy applications on the TON platform.
f. TON’s NFT: NFT Services
NFT Tools and NFT Marketplace
These services provide tools and platforms to create, manage, and trade NFTs. Users can buy and sell NFTs on these markets and participate in the trading of digital art and collectibles.
g. Social: Social Network
Based on TON's social networking platform, users can establish and maintain social relationships, share content and interact on these platforms.
h. Grand Casino
The big casino apps on the TON platform allow users to participate in various gambling and betting activities, and these apps generally provide a fair and transparent gaming environment.
i. Games: Blockchain games on TON
These games leverage blockchain technology to provide a unique gaming experience where users can earn tokens as rewards through gameplay and use these tokens inside and outside of the game.
The popular Tap to earn series originated from this.
5. Evaluation of TON projects
This section is a personal opinion, and we welcome your comments. Let's see how the TON projects will move forward, and see if there are any directions for the project owners to develop.
1. Business Type
Cash flow: Evaluate whether the project has stable and continuous cash inflow. Cash flow projects are actually not much different from Web2.
Token issuance flow: Analyze the project’s token issuance and circulation (as well as the actual situation on the chain).
2. Product experience
Product functions and user experience: Evaluate the actual functions and user experience of the product. This is not about how good the technology is, but about ensuring the basic functions and the security of the user's assets first.
Whether the product has been launched, and what is the number and activity of users: Understand the launch status of the product and user activity, and evaluate market acceptance.
Are there a lot of bugs: Check the stability of the product and the number of bugs. If the project even blocks your wallet, I don’t think you will have a chance to be cut?
3. Number of users
Number of paying users: Pay attention to the number of paying users of the project, which is an important indicator to measure the profitability of the project.
User feedback and community engagement: Evaluate the project's market recognition and user satisfaction through user feedback and community engagement.
4. Economic Model
Whether the token economic model and incentive mechanism are reasonable and sustainable: Ensure the rationality and sustainability of the token economic model and incentive mechanism.
Can you explain it clearly: Here, we certainly expect to have refreshing innovations in the economic model and bring about a new round of Gamefi, but we can't be too harsh hhhhh. However, I see that many projects have not considered the significance of issuing coins. Maybe it is also good to be a cash flow project; or, they simply want to save promotion fees so they issue coins. It takes more thought to decide whether to rush into such a project, so at least see if the project team can clearly explain its economic model.
Token distribution method and circulation: Analyze the token distribution method and market circulation, and evaluate its fairness and transparency.
5. Project Team
Team endorsement: Evaluate the experience and professional background of core team members, as well as the team’s reputation and contributions in blockchain and related fields.
This part is not too demanding, but the author will take a look at whether this person has previous experience in rug or project soft rug.
Especially some of the projects from 21-22 years ago, which did nothing after selling a wave of money, and now make a comeback with TON, it is worth pondering.
Official endorsement: Check whether there is an authoritative organization or well-known company endorsing and supporting the project.
6. Operational strategy
In fact, many projects may be planning to test the waters and make a wave of money first, which is certainly understandable. However, as a leek, should I rush in? I can't be the last leek to be cut! You can find some clues from the operation.
Fission mechanism: Does the project have an effective fission mechanism to attract and retain users (whether there is anyone who can take over).
Operational activities: whether they carry out operational activities regularly to increase the exposure and user engagement of the project (which means they have a strategy and a plan).
Conclusion
At present, it seems that Telegram is also in the process of continuous updating and optimization, and it is reflected in many places in combination with TON. The momentum is good and the direction is also friendly.
In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology and the changing needs of users, we can expect more new features and optimizations to make the user experience smoother and richer. Whether it is individual users or enterprises and community managers, they can find tools and solutions suitable for them on the Telegram platform to promote their own development and growth.
Welcome to discuss more possibilities and future development directions of Telegram. We look forward to making progress together with you on this platform full of opportunities and innovations!
