TON and Telegram: A Bridge to Large-Scale Applications in Web3

To achieve large-scale adoption of blockchain technology, a practical solution is needed. The TON Foundation, in conjunction with the Telegram platform, may have provided the most realistic answer.

Recently, Max Crown, the newly appointed CEO of the TON Foundation, was interviewed. As a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the fintech and regulatory fields, Crown shared TON's core strategies for driving large-scale applications in Web3, as well as the vision for integration with the Telegram super ecosystem.

Crown stated that his main reason for joining TON is the real potential to bring blockchain technology to the next billion users. He pointed out that although many blockchain platforms are technologically advanced, they are still difficult for ordinary users to use. The integration of TON with Telegram means that blockchain technology can be integrated into people's daily lives on a large scale.

When discussing the long-term vision of TON, Crown emphasized that their goal is to enable people to use blockchain technology without even realizing it. Whether it's for transfers, using digital services, or gaming, it should be a natural experience. They aim to make TON the infrastructure for the next generation of internet applications - secure, decentralized, and open to everyone.

Crown believes that the biggest challenge currently faced is how to coordinate the relationship between the decentralized open-source developer community and more centralized, faster-paced platforms like Telegram. However, he also points out that this challenge simultaneously brings opportunities to improve collaboration methods, driving optimizations of tools such as TON Connect to enhance the experience for developers and users.

Speaking of the future vision of the integration of TON and Telegram, Crown painted an exciting picture: users can manage finances, purchase digital assets, or access decentralized services without having to download multiple applications. In Telegram, people can book services, tip creators, trade assets, play games, and even complete transfers within a single chat window. He believes that such a vision is closer to reality than people think.

In terms of strategic positioning, Crown emphasizes that TON is not just a blockchain built for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, but also serves everyday users around the world. By embedding the blockchain directly into Telegram, which already has over a billion users, TON is creating a brand new audience. This approach is not only about scale, but also involves the overall optimization of distribution, onboarding, and user experience.

The foundation's current main strategic priorities include scaling, simplification, and support. They are expanding infrastructure to match growth demands, simplifying the onboarding process through TON Connect and the Telegram wallet, and increasing support for developers through funding, documentation, and ecosystem projects.

Regarding the Telegram mini-app craze, Crown states that the biggest insight is that distribution channels are more important than complex features. When developers can directly reach a vast number of users and those users can easily get started, the adoption speed will be very fast. This also explains why many TON-based applications have developed more rapidly than traditional Web3 applications.

In terms of regulation and compliance, Crown emphasizes the importance of proactive compliance. They are committed to maintaining transparency, supporting compliance tools, and keeping open communication with regulatory authorities. Especially in the United States, as the government's attitude towards cryptocurrency changes, TON is actively preparing to align with potential new frameworks.

In the end, Crown conveyed a message of encouragement to developers and community members. He urged developers to continue contributing to the ecosystem and promised to support them with better tools, more comprehensive documentation, and wider distribution channels. For investors, he reminded everyone to maintain a long-term perspective, as what TON is building is a system designed to exist for the long term.

Crown emphasizes that TON is not just a blockchain project, but a foundation for the next stage of the internet - a decentralized stage that is truly owned by users and accessible to everyone. Most importantly, their approach does not require users to change their existing habits, which is exactly what makes TON uniquely appealing.