Telegram has officially announced the launch of its new feature, Gift, allowing users to send animated artworks and personalized messages to each other as tokens of celebration. This initiative comes as part of a broader vision to enhance user engagement on the platform, with Telegram CEO indicating that these gifts will eventually be convertible into NFTs based on the TON blockchain.
The Gift feature allows Telegram users to celebrate special occasions by sending each other digital gifts, also known as Telegram Stars. Recipients can choose to display these gifts on their profiles or trade them for Stars, with some gifts being limited in availability. Durov expressed his excitement about the feature, stating:
“The Christmas holidays (which also include my birthday) are approaching, and today we are launching the Gifts! Gifts are a great way to congratulate your loved ones on important events.”
Durov has revealed that within the year, users will have the ability to convert these gifts into NFTs based on the TON blockchain. This means that users will be able to auction and trade their tokenized gifts outside of the Telegram app, with ownership recorded on the blockchain.
Although the exact timeline for this conversion has not been specified, the potential for trading these unique gifts adds an exciting layer to the user experience. Users can view their received gifts in the new Gift tab of their profiles and decide whether to keep or convert them into Stars for use within the app.
Telegram's introduction of the Gift feature aligns with its earlier launch of the in-app currency, Stars, which allows users to engage in transactions for digital services and support creators on the platform. Sending a gift is simple: users can open a contact's profile, tap on "Send a Gift," and include a personalized message or emoji.
The announcement of Telegram's Gift feature and its future NFT integration has implications for the cryptocurrency market, particularly for Toncoin (TON). Currently valued at $5.34, TON has seen a 2.5% increase in the last 24 hours, marking a recovery after a 8% decline over the past week. The token peaked at $6.11 on September 27th and aims to gain momentum to break resistance levels and reach new highs, with an ambitious target of surpassing $7.
Telegram's launch of the Gift feature not only enhances the user experience but also paves the way for the future integration of NFTs based on the TON blockchain. As the platform continues to innovate, users and investors alike will be watching closely to see how these developments impact engagement and the price of Toncoin in the coming months.
October 2024, Cryptoniteuae