The Open Network (TON) is redefining what’s possible in the blockchain space. Originally conceptualized by the Telegram Messenger team and later transitioned to community-driven development, TON was built with a clear mission: to create a high-speed, secure, and infinitely scalable blockchain. With theoretical throughput reaching up to 1 million transactions per second (TPS), TON stands at the forefront of blockchain innovation, attracting both developers and mainstream users alike.
As the ecosystem expands, so does its real-world impact—especially in gaming, social applications, and user onboarding. A pivotal moment came on September 6, 2024, when OKX Web3 launched its App Connect protocol, natively supporting TON and paving the way for seamless integration with EVM and Solana networks in the near future. This upgrade allows developers to leverage Telegram Mini Apps and directly interact with the OKX App wallet for signing transactions and engaging with DApps—all within a frictionless environment.
In this second episode of Developers’ Tales, we dive deep into the vision of Anatoly Makosov, TON’s core developer, alongside insights from Wang, OKX Web3’s TON ecosystem lead. From technical breakthroughs to ecosystem growth and long-term ambitions, here's how TON is shaping the next era of Web3.
🔧 TON’s Technical Edge: Speed, Scalability, and Stability
Asynchronous Architecture & Dynamic Sharding
At the heart of TON’s performance lies its asynchronous architecture and dynamic sharding capabilities. Unlike traditional blockchains that struggle under high load, TON can scale horizontally by splitting the network into multiple shards that process transactions in parallel.
“These games with tens or even hundreds of millions of users chose TON because it's the only blockchain capable of handling such massive loads,” says Anatoly Makosov.
Real-world validation has already arrived. In May 2024, Notcoin, a game with 35 million users, launched its token on TON—gaining 1 million new holders on day one. Later in the year, Avacoin (6M MAU) and DOGS (50M MAU) followed suit. Upcoming launches include Hamster Kombat (239M players) and TapSwap (56M users)—figures that rival major Web2 platforms.
👉 Discover how top-tier Web3 projects are scaling on high-performance chains like TON.
To sustain this growth, TON rolls out kernel updates every 1–2 months, often improving performance by 10x to 50x in specific modules. A major “accelerator” update is planned for later this year, alongside enhancements to the decentralized weak-validator penalty system—ensuring validators invest in proper hardware.
Predictable Fees & User-Centric Design
One of TON’s standout features is its fixed network fee model. Unlike Ethereum or Solana, where gas prices spike during congestion, TON users enjoy stable transaction costs regardless of network load. If TON’s price rises significantly, fees can be reduced via community voting—a mechanism successfully used in 2024.
This predictability is critical for mass adoption, especially for microtransactions in gaming and social apps.
🎮 Why GameFi Came First: Building for Real Users
While many blockchains prioritize DeFi and trading tools, TON took a different path: start with fun.
“Why are other chains obsessed with speculation? Most people aren’t traders,” says Makosov. “We’re building for the 99% who’ve never touched crypto.”
By focusing on GameFi, TON taps into Telegram’s viral nature and massive user base. Mini Apps inside Telegram allow instant access to blockchain games without wallets or seed phrases. Combined with TON Connect, users can jump into DApps with one tap.
But it's not just about games. TON supports full DeFi infrastructure—DEXs, lending protocols, staking—but presents them as simply as possible. The launch of USDT on TON was hailed by Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino as “the most successful USDT rollout ever,” thanks to low fees, native wallet integration, and the ability to pay gas in USDT.
🛠️ What TON Offers Developers
Massive Audience Access via Telegram
With over 900 million Telegram users, developers building on TON gain unprecedented reach. Using Telegram Mini Apps + TON Connect, teams can deploy DApps that feel native to millions.
Since January 2024, TON accounts have grown from 4 million to 53 million, a more than 10x increase. Monthly active users (MAUs) surged from 221K to 4.5 million, a 20x jump—proof of accelerating adoption.
A New Paradigm: TVM vs. EVM
TON doesn’t aim for EVM compatibility. Its TON Virtual Machine (TVM) uses an asynchronous model, fundamentally different from Ethereum’s synchronous execution.
“Solidity developers shouldn’t fear new tech,” warns Makosov. “Or risk becoming the Prolog programmers of tomorrow.”
Newcomers from Java, Python, JavaScript backgrounds are welcome. The team has hired top talent like Alexander Kirsanov (ex-KPHP) and AnTON Trunov (creator of Scilla for Zilliqa), signaling serious commitment to developer experience.
An upcoming update at the Gateway Conference this fall will showcase new tools and language improvements.
👉 See how easy it is to launch your next DApp on a fast-growing chain like TON.
🤝 Community-Led Development: Roles & Responsibilities
Decentralized by Design
Today, all services and products on TON are developed entirely by the community. The core team focuses solely on maintaining the blockchain kernel and publishing technical guidelines.
Telegram provides the foundation—the messaging app, Bots API, and Mini Apps API—but does not control the blockchain.
“We’re not standard-setters,” says Makosov. “We’re pioneers.”
Major decisions go through TON.vote, where proposals are debated and validated by both community members and network validators.
🔗 Is TON Mandatory for Telegram Projects?
No. Developers can choose any blockchain.
However, performance matters. The failed HOT token launch on Near due to congestion shows the risks of using ill-suited chains. HOT later migrated to TON—where it thrived.
While projects can deploy on EVM chains via bridges, those using TON get native advantages: seamless UX, faster transactions, lower costs, and deeper integration with Telegram’s ecosystem.
🌐 The Future of TON: Mass Adoption by 2025
TON’s bold vision? 500 million monthly active users within five years.
Current momentum suggests it’s on track. Beyond gaming, new use cases are emerging:
- TON Passport: A digital identity allowing免签 access to 256 countries.
- TON Wallet v5.0: Features social recovery, two-factor authentication, and gasless transactions.
- Mintless Tokens: Enables instant distribution of tokens to hundreds of millions at under $1 cost.
These innovations remove traditional crypto barriers—private keys, gas fees, complex UIs—making Web3 invisible yet powerful.
🔐 Security & Standardization: Leading Through Innovation
Despite rapid growth, security remains paramount:
- Over 400 independent validators secure the network.
- More than 600 million TON staked (~10% of supply).
- Audits conducted by Trail of Bits, Zellic, and CertiK.
- Public bug bounty programs ensure continuous scrutiny.
On standardization, TON aims to set benchmarks. Its record-breaking 100K TPS execution of complex smart contracts—verified by CertiK—could become a de facto performance standard, akin to a Guinness World Record for blockchains.
💡 OKX Web3’s Role in Growing the TON Ecosystem
OKX Web3 is a key enabler in TON’s expansion:
- Native Wallet Integration: Users manage TON assets across mobile and desktop, swap tokens cross-chain, access NFTs and DeFi seamlessly.
- OKX OS Suite: Full-stack SDKs, APIs, documentation empower developers to build faster.
- App Connect Protocol: Enables direct interaction between Telegram Mini Apps and OKX Wallet.
- Ecosystem Support: Giveaways, Cryptopedia campaigns, and partnerships with The Open League boost visibility for promising projects.
- OKX Ventures: Co-invests in early-stage TON startups through dedicated funding initiatives.
“We’re not just building tools—we’re building pathways for mass adoption,” says Wang.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use Ethereum tools to build on TON?
A: Not directly. TON uses its own stack (TVM, FunC/SDL languages), optimized for asynchronous processing and scalability.
Q: How does TON handle high traffic from viral games?
A: Through dynamic sharding and continuous kernel optimization—proven by successful launches of Notcoin, DOGS, and others.
Q: Do I need TON coin to use apps on the network?
A: No. The new wallet v5 supports gasless transactions and lets users pay fees in stablecoins like USDT.
Q: Is OKX Wallet safe for storing TON assets?
A: Yes. OKX Wallet offers non-custodial storage with multi-layer security protocols and audit-backed smart contracts.
Q: How does governance work on TON?
A: Proposals are submitted via TON.vote and require approval from both community members and validator nodes.
Q: Are there developer grants available for building on TON?
A: Yes—through OKX Ventures and ecosystem funds supporting early-stage innovation on the network.
👉 Start building on a chain built for billions—explore developer resources today.
Core Keywords:
- TON blockchain
- Web3 gaming
- Telegram Mini Apps
- OKX Web3
- App Connect protocol
- Gasless transactions
- Blockchain scalability
- Developer tools
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