Telegram to launch mini-app store and in-app web3 browser this month

Telegram plans to introduce a store for Telegram mini apps and an in-app web3 browser later this month, according to Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov. The move comes following a surge in tap-to-earn games like Hamster Kombat building on the messaging platform.

Also read: Telegram launches in-app digital payments system ‘Stars’

Durov revealed the plans in his personal Telegram channel on Friday. Telegram uses web applications that run inside the social network known as “mini-apps”. These apps allow crypto projects to launch directly within Telegram. People can use the apps without installing them on their devices.

Durov previously said that businesses have utilized mini-apps to sell physical products on Telegram for many years. According to the platform, more than 400 million people interact with the apps every month.

Telegram CEO seeks to combat crypto scams

In his post on Telegram, Durov said, “hundreds of millions of people [will] become familiar with blockchain” in 2024. “We’re proud that Telegram is at the epicenter of this societal transformation,” he added.

Telegram is used by nearly one billion people worldwide. The platform, together with its TON blockchain, has become a hub for so-called “clicker games” like Hamster Kombat, Tapswap, and Notcoin. The games, which pay people for tapping their smartphone screens, enjoy a huge following. Hamster Kombat alone claims to have over 250 million players.

Also read: Hamster Kombat plans two airdrops: one this month, another in 2 years

The model was made popular by Notcoin, which has seen over $1.2 billion in trading volume since its launch in April. Around one million wallets joined The Open Network (TON) when Notcoin generated its token earlier this year.

“To keep the fire going, this month, we will introduce a mini app store and an in-app browser with support for web3-pages,” Durov wrote.

Durov also said Telegram will “step up efforts” to combat cryptocurrency scams that “defraud new entrants.” He said the platform will “soon” start to display “the month of registration and principal country for public accounts (similar to Instagram).”

“We will also allow organizations to use their mini apps to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for third-party verification,” he added.