**News Flash: TON Blockchain Sees Explosive Growth with Telegram Mini Apps**

The Open Network (TON), linked to Telegram, has experienced massive growth in 2024. Thanks to popular Telegram Mini Apps like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat, the total value locked (TVL) in TON projects has surged over 2,000%, jumping from $14.2 million in January to $307.6 million.

**What are Telegram Mini Apps?**

- Web applications running inside Telegram

- Launched in 2023 to enable developers to build apps using HTML, CSS, and Javascript

- Available in the Telegram Apps Center

**Key Drivers of Growth:**

- Integration of TON blockchain in January 2024

- Telegram's 900 million user base

- TON's speed, scalability, and low transaction fees

- New in-app payment tools like Telegram Stars

**Challenges and Future Outlook:**

- TVL peaked at $776.6 million in July but dropped 60% amid broader market sell-offs and the detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

- Despite challenges, the TON Foundation remains operational and optimistic about future growth

Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving TON ecosystem!