Telegram entered the mini-apps space in 2023, introducing a dedicated platform that transformed how lightweight applications are launched and distributed. This innovation marked the beginning of the “tap-to-earn” era, particularly within the crypto ecosystem.
Telegram’s mini-apps have since become a hub for engaging users through token launches, airdrops, and crypto asset interactions, seamlessly integrating blockchain technology with the platform’s vast user base.
This guide provides an in-depth look at how Telegram mini apps are useful for e-commerce, media, and automation.
What are Telegram mini-apps?
Telegram mini-apps are third-party projects that connect directly to the Telegram platform, enabling access to millions of subscribers.
Built using web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, mini-apps operate seamlessly within the Telegram interface. The ecosystem provides a user-friendly environment with built-in authorization and compatibility with the TON (The Open Network) ecosystem, Telegram’s native blockchain. TON is the native chain built especially for the Telegram community and is the leading chain used in high-profile mini apps.
Telegram apps aim for a user-friendly experience while offering various features that completely replace browser-based apps or websites. They feature integration with TonConnect, allowing users to log in using Toncoin wallet credentials, leveraging Telegram’s user data for added security and verification.
Since August 2024, Telegram has had a built-in mini-app store with ranked apps based on user numbers and reliability. The Toncoin ecosystem team also offers support for building Telegram mini apps, offering tools to design interactive elements, such as action buttons and navigation menus, to streamline the onboarding process for new users.
Mini-apps often focus on user-friendly features, including games and gamified financial tools. Their complexity ranges from simple tapping games to elaborate idle games with quests and world-building elements, like Catizen.
Monetization options for Telegram mini-apps include in-app purchases, subscriptions, and the Toncoin advertisement economy. They also support fiat payment gateways such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, offering services across 200 countries (including those outside the US and Europe) through regional fintech gateways.
Many mini-apps in Telegram’s ecosystem are connected to the Toncoin blockchain, which was specifically designed for the platform. Toncoin supports token airdrops and facilitates transactions for tokens known as “jettons.”
However, mini-apps are not restricted to Toncoin; they can also integrate with other blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, and more, enabling features such as trading, NFT ownership, and gaming.
Apps like Hamster Kombat use the Telegram chat app to connect users to their onboarding bots. After users agree to the terms of service, Telegram sends a 2D code to launch the mobile app and start the game’s real quests.
What are the main features of Telegram mini apps?
Telegram mini-apps are designed to be lightweight, typically 2–4 MB, and run within the Telegram chat environment using WebView runtime. They are compatible across all operating systems but exclusive to Telegram’s ecosystem, serving its 800 million registered users.
The mini-apps can connect to crypto wallets and offer Web3 features like transactions, tokenization, earnings, and airdrops. They also integrate with existing payment processors for monetization opportunities outside the cryptocurrency market.
Mini-apps usually run their thematic Telegram channels, connecting to subscribers directly. The apps use the chat platform as their super-app, which serves as their main environment to launch and run. Engaging with the app starts through a Telegram chatbot, which then takes the user through the steps to launch the actual game or other features. Bots serve as initial support for onboarding users.
Mini apps work across platforms and devices
Telegram mini apps are compatible across different operating systems, as they use WebView technology inside the super-app. The apps available on Telegram allow access through smartphones and tablets, as well as desktop access. The main features include easy loading, low latency, and a user-friendly interface.
Telegram mini-apps are compatible with bot usage, although the automation is often unofficial and discouraged by the app’s creators. For instance, Hamster Kombat, one of the hottest Telegram mini apps, has seen bot automation to farm points.
Mini apps have evolved over the years, and contain multiple new features. The apps usually utilize media-rich environments, quizzes, synchronized content collaboration, and more.
Mini apps feature multiple use cases
Telegram mini apps go beyond tap-to-earn features. They have multiple use cases, including e-commerce and shops, education, gaming and multiplayer games, productivity tools, as well as cryptocurrency trading. Mini apps also bring monetization opportunities, by connecting to payment providers, also delivering tailored push notifications to end users. An app can replace a website store, allowing users to purchase goods directly.
Some apps are also built for utility and serve as assistance tools for crypto analysis, sentiment measurement, crypto, and trading statistics.
A multitude of apps is built around the native TON token, including reward, point farming, trading, puzzles, and more.
Telegram apps also cover communication, entertainment, file converters, news, word games, photo and media apps, NFT markets, and even astrology. A large category includes utility apps, including on-chain trackers, small-feature apps like sticker creator, and other tools to use within Telegram and other ecosystems. The Telegram environment allows for subscription models due to its integrated payments.
Telegram mini-apps have Web3 features
Web3 is the loose collection of apps and features connected to on-chain transactions and using digital tokens. There is no single definition of Web3, but it always includes self-ownership of assets, using a digital wallet, and sometimes an on-chain identity.
Web3 includes on-chain ownership, cryptographic security for all assets, permissionless and automated transactions, token usage, and personal control of wallets. Businesses can pick which functionality to include when interacting with third-party services. Teams will build apps to incorporate some of the most widely used coins and tokens, as well as several types of compatible wallets.
The most significant feature of Telegram apps is that they are Web3-ready. Most apps can connect to a native Toncoin wallet or another digital app for secure storage. Trading, e-commerce, advertising and other apps with micropayments can achieve this through an on-chain wallet for quick access to transactions and trading.
Telegram apps incorporate all compatible Toncoin chain wallets and can use multiple native or bridged assets. Toncoin carries native stablecoins, as well as bridged USDT, often used for in-app payments. Some utility apps on Telegram also work as mini-apps.
For gaming and NFT apps, the wallet-based features allow for full ownership and control of digital assets and collectibles. The Telegram mini app simply visualizes the digital assets for easy access, swapping or auctions. Telegram mini apps also adopt stablecoins, such as the native Tether (USDT) on The Open Network (TON).
Telegram apps can be tokenized or monetized
Telegram mini apps allow for tokenization, to lock in achievements and accrued value. The mini apps allow for user verification and wallet connections, thus keeping exact and immutable token balances. Mini apps can monetize the experience, then extend it to using TON or tokens from other networks.
Tokenization can be done through one of the available chains, including Ethereum, Solana, or the Toncoin network, specifically tailored to Telegram activity and its communities. All those networks, including Toncoin, carry bridged or native Tether (USDT), which offers a more intuitive form of tokenization tied to the value of the US dollar.
Some mini-apps participate in Telegram’s advertising economy. Others are monetized through fiat payments, using Google Pay or Apple Pay. Value propositions include in-game items, NFT, physical goods, digital products, subscriptions, and any possible exchange of value online. Mini apps can also participate in a reward economy, like mission-driven or tap-to-earn games.
What is the difference between mini-apps and Telegram bots?
Telegram bots are special apps that connect to decentralized exchanges and route trading orders. Banana Gun, however, is not among the collection of mini apps. The most prominent Telegram bot used a mini app for its airdrop, but itself uses other Web3 features.
Some bots try to offer access in the form of mini-apps. Those include Unibot V2, focused on Uniswap, Bitbot, and other minor trading features. Bot projects build apps to better use the Telegram environment for fast trading. Bots also serve simple utility functions or offer information and media.
Mini apps cover a wider range of services while handling payments and wallet integration. Apps also include social media features, rich media integration, or messaging.
Additionally, Telegram itself has utility bots for onboarding and automated chats. Telegram bots allow a limited number of messages and comments and are the first step in onboarding users to groups, chats, or mini-apps. Bots have multiple ways to integrate with other apps and features.
How to set up a Telegram mini-app
Telegram mini apps can be launched through the browser or desktop version of Telegram. The app will produce a QR code to launch its mobile version or ask permission to launch a desktop version. Bot integration on Telegram allows for the creation of a ‘launch app’ button.
After launching the app, users can follow its instructions on payment or wallet connections. Some of the app activities are also integrated with Telegram Stories.
Mini-apps will acquire the user’s IP address after a request. Some apps may also grab the user’s Telegram ID, public name, username, and profile picture, as well as limited settings. Mini apps will issue tailored push notifications to make sure the user is only connecting with legitimate services.
Telegram may be the super-app for multiple mini features. However, Telegram does not guarantee the safety or quality of any of the products or services offered in the app, based on the general terms of service.
When setting up a mini app, the end user still has to research whether the product is legitimate and to avoid interaction with unknown links or apps to avoid wallet draining. Mini apps run in their own box, and will not require additional transaction signing or the sharing of private keys.
Tap-to-earn min-apps
Tap-to-earn mini-apps became one of the most popular types, mostly due to their connection to Toncoin (TON) and crypto trading. Tap-to-earn harnesses a super simple game model where users compete to generate points through simple activities, mostly taps, in a given time period. The popularity of Web3 games pushed teams to build Telegram mini apps, leading to the creation of several high-profile projects.
Toncoin, or the TON blockchain, is key to the creation of tap-to-earn Telegram mini apps. Toncoin is a native chain with an open source, created by Pavel and Nikolai Durov. Later the Toncoin code was handed over to the community, inviting developers to build Telegram mini apps.
Notcoin (NOT) is the first and most prominent tapping app, which also launched a native NOT token. The Notcoin community has 17.7M subscribers, while the NOT token has more than 2.88M holders.
Tapswap is another prominent tap-to-earn project, which ran a mission-based point allocation campaign. The app has more than 25M subscribers in its channel, eagerly awaiting the exact date for the airdrop. Tapswap, along with Blum and Hamster Kombat, are growing their user base through the promised airdrops, even if they are small. Users have to perform tasks in exchange for points, which then make them eligible to receive tokens.
Catizen extends the mini-app model with a semi-idle game, available on Toncoin and Mantle chains. The app launches immediately and offers simple gameplay with the chance for tokenization and airdrops.
How to find the hottest mini-apps
- While Telegram hosts multiple niche or special-purpose mini-apps, the biggest inflows come from high-profile projects. Telegram statistics will reveal the recently trending channels and groups tied to mini-apps and especially games.
- The other source of app information comes from trading data, tracking the market success of tokens and coins. Airdrop calendars or official social media announcements can also show the hottest Telegram mini apps.
Airdrop tokens from mini-apps achieve a relatively high profile and line up among trending crypto assets. Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) was among the long-awaited assets, as well as Catizen (CATI).
Are mini apps sustainable?
Mini-apps have held risks in the past and may still be a vector for exploits. Overall, mini-apps are a sustainable tool to enhance Telegram’s capabilities and connect the community through media and content, value transfers, and in-app purchases. The full extent of app capabilities is unlimited, depending only on the inflow of users. Cross-platform compatibility with all types of devices can drive Telegram app adoption.
Some of the tap-to-earn games have been deemed unsustainable, and lose users after the initial hype. However, the mini-app approach within super-apps is gaining ground as used behaviors shift. Monetization in apps, tipping, and other micro-transactions are gaining ground in multiple super-apps.
Onboarding and retaining users, while giving a personalized experience, also boost mini-app usage. Telegram is no different, though it has built a specific mini-app culture tied to cryptocurrency and trading.
The app market is expected to grow at 7.84% annualized this decade, with a predicted size of $781.7B by 2029. Telegram has reached above 800M users and may profit from the monetization trend.
