Telegram, the popular social media platform, has introduced a new feature that allows channel owners to receive a share of the revenue generated from ads displayed on their channels. The feature, which will be available in nearly 100 countries starting from March, will use the TON blockchain to ensure fast and secure payments and withdrawals. The announcement has resulted in a 25% increase in the price of TON, the native cryptocurrency of the TON network.

Telegram, which has over 800 million monthly users, is known for its privacy and security features, as well as its broadcast channels, which allow users to create and join communities around various topics and interests. According to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the broadcast channels generate over one trillion monthly views, but only 10% of them are monetized using Telegram Ads, a promotion tool that respects user privacy and data.

With the new feature, channel owners in the eligible countries will be able to receive 50% of the revenue generated from the ads shown on their channels, creating a win-win situation for both content creators and advertisers. Durov said that the feature will create a virtuous circle, in which channel owners will be able to either cash out their earnings or reinvest them in improving and promoting their channels.

The TON Blockchain Enables Fast and Secure Transactions

To ensure that the ad payments and withdrawals are fast and secure, Telegram will exclusively use the TON blockchain, a decentralized Layer 1 protocol that was launched in 2020. The TON blockchain, which was built by the same team that created Telegram, aims to provide a scalable and interoperable platform for various applications and services, such as messaging, payments, identity, and storage.

The TON blockchain uses a native cryptocurrency called TON, which was previously known as Gram. TON is used to pay for the network fees, as well as to access the various features and services offered by the TON network. TON is also used as a medium of exchange and a store of value, and can be traded on various exchanges and platforms.

According to Durov, Telegram will sell ads and share revenue with channel owners in TON, which will increase the demand and supply of the cryptocurrency. Channel owners will be able to either cash out their TON earnings or reinvest them in their channels, creating a positive feedback loop that will benefit the TON ecosystem and community.

The TON Price Surges by 25%, Reaching a New High

The announcement of the new feature has had a positive impact on the price of TON, which has surged by 25% in the past 24 hours, reaching a new high of $3.172. This level has not been seen since November 2023, when TON hit its all-time high of $3.215. The current market capitalization of TON is over $18 billion, making it one of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.

The price increase of TON reflects the growing popularity and adoption of the cryptocurrency, as well as the potential for further growth and innovation. TON has been gaining traction among users and investors, who see it as a fast, secure, and versatile cryptocurrency that can power various applications and services on the TON network. TON has also been supported by celebrities and influencers, such as Elon Musk, who has been tweeting and endorsing the cryptocurrency on his social media accounts.

The price increase of TON also reflects the overall bullish trend of the cryptocurrency market, which has been recovering and expanding after the recent correction and consolidation. The cryptocurrency market has been driven by the increasing demand and innovation in the digital economy, as well as the recognition and acceptance by various institutions and regulators. The cryptocurrency market has also been influenced by the macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the US-China trade war, and the Brexit deal.