Tim Delhaes, co-founder and CEO of multi-chain wallet Grindery, argued that Telegram’s exclusivity deal with TON Foundation risks alienating developers, which would make TON irrelevant.
The newly announced exclusivity deal between the messaging app and TON Foundation mandates that all Telegram Mini Apps with crypto integrations through the TON network.
Although Telegram frames the move as a strategic alignment, it is seen as an effort from the company behind the messaging app to tighten its control over the blockchain ecosystem.
Delhaes explained to CryptoSlate that the policy shift includes a strict 7- to 10-day migration window for developers. This timeframe is unusually short for decentralized ecosystems, where such transitions typically unfold over months.
While Telegram has marketed itself as a champion of decentralization, Delhaes compared its latest actions to those of Apple, Google, and Meta, which have drawn criticism for operating walled gardens that restrict external competition.
Delhaes stated:
“If you’re working in a somewhat centralized environment, like web2 tech world, you would likely expect companies to do that. But if you’re entering the web3 space with an aspiration of building open source systems and getting rid of walled gardens, you need to ask yourself, who really lives up to what they are publicly saying.”
He further argued that the changes in Telegram’s crypto Mini Apps impact the whole crypto industry, creating uncertainty for developers building applications in various blockchain ecosystems. Delhaes believes the move could jeopardize Telegram’s credibility regarding blockchain applications.
He noted that projects such as Hamster Combat and Notcoin amassed many users but added that community and liquidity still reside on other networks.
Delhaes said that by creating an exclusivity clause in its terms of services, TON risks becoming irrelevant or becoming a network where people only use gimmicks despite presenting a good framework.
He added:
“Telegram wants TON to be the payment rails of a super app, but I think this path [of irrelevance] is where they are going.”
TON Foundation defends integration strategy
The TON Foundation said that the shift will ultimately benefit developers and users. In a statement sent to CryptoSlate, a spokesperson said:
“By integrating TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem, Telegram can now provide a robust, reliable, and scalable solution.”
When asked if the move could cause a builder exodus, TON argued that the unified user experience would streamline onboarding for crypto users and developers.
The Foundation also reiterated that maintaining developer engagement remains a top priority, as they are the main drivers of ecosystem growth. It added that the terms of service changes make wallet integration “much easier,” leading to higher conversion rates.
Furthermore, the TON Foundation stated that the changes align with its vision of an ecosystem centered on a seamless, scalable, and user-friendly environment for users and developers.
The spokesperson said:
“At the same time, we’re focused on balancing expansion with security and reliability, leveraging TON’s inherent scalability to support global user growth while continuously iterating on and improving the infrastructure.”
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