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Telegram's TON Blockchain Embarks on US Growth Mission

 



A foundation, closely associated with Telegram, called the Open Network (TON), is pursuing ambitious expansion in the United States. A strategic move like this comes amid the expectation that Donald Trump's upcoming administration will be able to offer a more favourable regulatory environment. The TON Foundation is proud to announce a pivotal leadership transition: Manuel "Manny" Stotz, an experienced investor and blockchain advocate, has been selected as President of the organisation. 

There is a new chapter in the foundation's journey to accelerate global adoption of the blockchain, emphasising expanded operations in the United States as part of a strategic expansion plan. In a statement released by a spokesperson for the TON Foundation to Cointelegraph on January 14, a spokesperson confirmed to the Cointelegraph that the US will become one of the most important markets for TON under the Trump Administration. 

The TON Foundation has recently appointed Manuel Stotz, one of the world's leading digital asset investors, as its new president. The foundation will be able to expand its operations in the U.S. market with Stotz, the founder of Kingsway Capital Partners. Stotz stated that the U.S. would soon become a global crypto centre specialising in innovation. Steve Yun, who will remain a board member, will resign from the presidency, and he will be taking over the CEO role. 

In light of the trend that a new president in the US is expected to provide a more favourable environment for cryptocurrency, this shift reflects this expectation. It is expected that his administration will address some of the most important regulatory issues on the day of his inauguration, which is scheduled for January 20, among crypto supporters. Among the concerns is how digital assets are treated by banks, with many in the crypto sector hoping that a change will happen in the rules regarding whether they will be accounted for as liabilities. 

In addition to the issue of “de-banking,” which has impacted many crypto firms in the U.S., another issue that may be addressed is the issue of blockchain technology and its prospects. It has been Stotz's honour to serve as a board member of the TON Foundation since it was founded in Switzerland in 2023. With his new role at the TON Foundation, he will replace Steve Yun, who remains on the board. Stotz is a major investor in the digital asset industry and is the founder of Kingsway Capital Partners, an investment management firm. 

There have been over 50 projects backed by the firm, among them Animoca Brands, Blockchain.com, CoinDCX, Toncoin, Genesis Digital Assets, and others. In the TON Foundation's opinion, the changing regulatory environment in the United States offers new opportunities for blockchain technology. Notably, several industry participants are optimistic about the incoming administration's pro-crypto stance, which includes plans for creating a national Bitcoin reserve and promoting blockchain-based economic reform. 

As President-elect Trump has also indicated his desire to advance the field by appointing influential figures, such as Paul Atkins and David Sacks, to key positions in the sector, it is anticipated that these developments will lead to a surge in blockchain and artificial intelligence innovation. TON Foundation president Stotz believes that these developments may signify a turning point for the industry as a whole, and he believes that the US is an important market for accelerating blockchain adoption worldwide.

A decentralised project called TON is closely related to Telegram's TON blockchain, which was developed by the messenger and then turned into a decentralised project. The Toncoin token allows the network to provide 950 million Telegram users with services such as in-app payments and games, and with Stotz's leadership, TON plans to increase its user base and integrate blockchain-based solutions into everyday applications under Stotz's leadership. 

The main objective of the fund is to use Telegram's vast global audience to promote the widespread adoption of blockchain technologies. With the TON Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting the development of the TON blockchain, Telegram's 950 million users will have access to crypto services through Telegram's platform. In 2023, Telegram formalised the foundation in Switzerland, a year after a 2020 settlement with the SEC ended Telegram's earlier fundraising efforts. 

It was announced in December 2024 that the foundation would be expanding to Abu Dhabi following the ADGM's distributed ledger technology framework. This move is intended to provide legal backing for decentralised projects throughout the MENA and APAC regions, with a target of reaching 500 million users by 2028. In the crypto industry, the return of Trump to power could be considered a turning point in the market as a result. He has announced that cryptocurrencies will be treated differently in the United States of America than they were in the past, which could result in more blockchain projects coming into the country in the future and increased innovation in decentralised technologies. 

Despite this change in leadership at the TON Foundation, the organisation continues to adhere to its mission and values even during this transition and continues to follow through with its objectives. As a board member of the foundation, Steve Yun provides ongoing leadership and direction and Manny Stotz plays a pivotal role in helping to make it a place for growth, collaboration, and innovation in the future. TON anticipates milestones to be achieved in the US over the coming months, which will further enhance the company's reputation as one of the leading blockchain companies in the world.

AI and Blockchain: Shaping the Future of Personalization and Security

 

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology is revolutionizing digital experiences, especially for developers aiming to enhance user interaction and improve security. By combining these cutting-edge technologies, digital platforms are becoming more personalized while ensuring that user data remains secure. 

Why Personalization and Security Are Essential 

A global survey conducted in the third quarter of 2024 revealed that 64% of consumers prefer to engage with companies that offer personalized experiences. Simultaneously, 53% of respondents expressed significant concerns about data privacy. These findings highlight a critical balance: users desire tailored interactions but are equally cautious about how their data is managed. The integration of AI and blockchain offers innovative solutions to address both personalization and privacy concerns. 

AI has seamlessly integrated into daily life, with tools like ChatGPT becoming indispensable across industries. A notable advancement in AI is the adoption of Common Crawl's customized blockchain. This system securely stores vast datasets used by AI models, enhancing data transparency and security. Blockchain’s immutable nature ensures data integrity, making it ideal for managing the extensive data required to train AI systems in applications like ChatGPT. 

The combined power of AI and blockchain is already transforming sectors like marketing and healthcare, where personalization and data privacy are paramount.

  • Marketing: Tools such as AURA by AdEx allow businesses to analyze user activity on blockchain platforms like Ethereum. By studying transaction data, AURA helps companies implement personalized marketing strategies. For instance, users frequently interacting with decentralized exchanges (DEXs) or moving assets across blockchains can receive tailored marketing content aligned with their behavior.
  • Healthcare: Blockchain technology is being used to store medical records securely, enabling AI systems to develop personalized treatment plans. This approach allows healthcare professionals to offer customized recommendations for nutrition, medication, and therapies while safeguarding sensitive patient data from unauthorized access.
Enhancing Data Security 

Despite AI's transformative capabilities, data privacy has been a longstanding concern. Earlier AI tools, such as previous versions of ChatGPT, stored user data to refine models without clear consent, raising privacy issues. However, the industry is evolving with the introduction of privacy-centric tools like Sentinel and Scribe. These platforms employ advanced encryption to protect user data, ensuring that information remains secure—even from large technology companies like Google and Microsoft. 
 
The future holds immense potential for developers leveraging AI and blockchain technologies. These innovations not only enhance user experiences through personalized interactions but also address critical privacy challenges that have persisted within the tech industry. As AI and blockchain continue to evolve, industries such as marketing, healthcare, and beyond can expect more powerful tools that prioritize customization and data security. By embracing these technologies, businesses can create engaging, secure digital environments that meet users' growing demands for personalization and privacy.

Jordan Approves Blockchain Technology to Boost Innovation


As part of its initiatives to enhance public services and modernize government processes, Jordan has approved the 2025 Blockchain Technology Policy. The Jordanian Council of Ministers unveiled a new policy to improve service delivery to citizens, cut expenses, and streamline administrative procedures. 

This strategy is an integral part of Jordan's broader goal for digital transformation and economic modernization, which also involves promoting startup growth and developing skills linked to blockchain. 

About Jordan’s blockchain technology policy

The 2025 Blockchain Technology Policy aims to revolutionize public administration by integrating blockchain technology into government operations. According to officials, the objective is to decrease delays in governmental workflows, automate procedures, and validate transactions instantly.

The policy places a high priority on preserving citizens' data. The government intends to employ blockchain's secure infrastructure to protect data privacy and boost public trust in governmental organizations.

Key features

The policy is going to assist startups using blockchain technology. This involves developing chances for businesses and providing workers with the skills required to succeed in blockchain-related industries.

Jordan intends to make government transactions more efficient and accessible to citizens and businesses by leveraging blockchain's capacity to record and verify data instantaneously.

In addition, the blockchain's distributed architecture will generate records that cannot be changed, assuring improved accuracy in government reporting and decreasing errors.

Authorities think it will result in improved oversight of government services.

Impact on economy and infrastructure

Jordan has recently expressed an increased interest in blockchain and Bitcoin. In 2022, Jordan saw an increase in crypto activity as citizens sought solutions to unemployment and other concerns, showing blockchain's ability to address economic issues.

Jordan's blockchain program is part of a broader regional trend of using emerging technologies to enhance government operations.

Syria, for example, revealed plans to regulate Bitcoin [BTC] and automate its currency to stabilize its financial sector and draw foreign investment. In the UAE, Dubai has permitted the expansion of blockchain-based payment systems, while Abu Dhabi has established a legal framework for decentralized solutions.

These initiatives indicate a growing interest in blockchain as a solution to economic and administrative difficulties in the Middle East.

Solana Pioneers Quantum Resistance in Blockchain Technology

 


There is no denying that Solana, one of the fastest-growing blockchain networks, has introduced a groundbreaking security feature called the Winternitz Vault. This feature will protect digital assets from quantum computing threats while maintaining the platform's high performance. Solana intends to address the challenges posed by quantum computing proactively to safeguard its users' funds and ensure the longevity of its blockchain infrastructure. 

With the help of a decades-old cryptographic technique, Solana has developed a quantum-resistant vault that uses this technique to protect users' funds from quantum computer attacks. As part of the solution, known as the Solana Winternitz Vault, new keys are generated for every transaction as part of a hash-based signature system. 

The company introduced a system called the "Solana Winternitz Vault" that protects user funds from quantum threats. The vault utilises a hash-based signature system that generates new keys for every transaction, making it highly secure. The chief scientist at Zeus Network, Dean Little, who is also a cryptography researcher, elaborated in a GitHub post that this approach complicates quantum computing and makes it harder for quantum computers to orchestrate coordinated attacks on public keys that are exposed during transactions, diminishing their ability to execute coordinated attacks. Since the vault exists in the current version as an optional feature, rather than as part of the network security upgrade, no fork is in sight. 

As a result, users will need to actively store their funds in Winternitz Vaults instead of regular Solana Wallets if they wish to ensure that their funds remain quantum-proof. Even though the quantum-resistant vault is an optional feature rather than a system-wide requirement, it is important to note that it is still an optional feature. For this enhanced security to be realised, users need to choose to store their funds in the Winternitz Vault rather than the standard Solana wallet. 

The vault's operation includes creating a split-and-refund account system to ensure secure fund transfers while protecting residual balances. The Winternitz Vault, a quantum-resistant solution developed by Solana developers, has been implemented to counter this risk and is based on a cryptographic technique dating back decades. 

As a result of the vault's hash-based signature system, which generates new keys with each transaction, quantum computers are less likely to be able to crack the cryptographic keys because the vault employs a hash-based signature system. Using the Winternitz One-Time Signatures protocol, this vault creates 32 private key scalars that are hashed 256 times. It does not store the entire public key but only its hash for verification purposes. 

It is important to note that every time a transaction is carried out, the vault creates a new set of keys, so no hacker can predict or steal a key before it is used. Solana's Winternitz Vault sets a new benchmark for blockchain security in the face of quantum computing, allowing users to take advantage of the optional tools necessary to protect their digital assets against future threats. 

By implementing this forward-looking strategy, Solana reinforces its commitment to innovation and security that it has always displayed, placing it as a market leader in the blockchain space as quantum computing continues to develop, providing blockchain networks like Solana the flexibility to adapt to new challenges as they arise. It is Solana's goal to stay abreast of such advancements, ensuring its users can be assured that their digital assets can be safeguarded with confidence, regardless of future technological advances. 

Nonetheless, Cornell University researchers have found that breaking an elliptic curve cryptographic key with 160 bits would require approximately 1,000 qubits, which is far more than is currently available. The blockchain industry is still pushing forward despite this. In its beta stage, QAN, for example, claimed it had achieved "quantum hardness," and other protocols have quietly improved their cryptographic foundations. 

In recent years, quantum computing power has been predicted to grow exponentially – a phenomenon known as Neven's Law – and some experts believe that this will happen in the future. This forecast has driven more blockchain developers to implement quantum-resistant solutions, even though full-scale quantum computers are still years or decades away from seriously threatening the current cryptographic standards for coins, tokens, and other applications. Considering quantum resistance as an extra feature for many crypto projects may seem overkill, but Web3 developers are known for always being two steps ahead of the game.

Bitcoin Security Concerns Amid Quantum Computing Advancements

 

Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital, has raised alarms over Bitcoin’s future security, cautioning that its SHA-256 encryption may become vulnerable within the next two to five years. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, he highlighted rapid advancements in quantum computing, particularly Google’s unveiling of the Willow quantum chip featuring 105 qubits. Palihapitiya estimates that 8,000 such chips could potentially breach SHA-256 encryption, underscoring the pressing need for blockchain networks to adapt.

Quantum Computing's Impact on Cryptography

While acknowledging the infancy of quantum computing, Palihapitiya pointed to Google’s Willow chip as a pivotal development that could accelerate breakthroughs in cryptography. Despite scalability challenges, he remains optimistic that the cryptocurrency sector will evolve to develop quantum-resistant encryption methods.

Not all experts share his concerns, however. Ki Young Ju, founder of CryptoQuant, has expressed confidence that Bitcoin’s encryption is unlikely to face quantum threats within this decade.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s Early Solutions

Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, had anticipated such scenarios. In 2010, Satoshi proposed that the Bitcoin community could agree on the last valid blockchain snapshot and transition to a new cryptographic framework if SHA-256 were compromised. However, these early solutions are not without controversy.

Emin Gün Sirer, founder of Avalanche, has warned that some of Satoshi’s early-mined coins used an outdated Pay-To-Public-Key (P2PK) format, which exposes public keys and increases the risk of exploitation. Sirer suggested the Bitcoin community should consider freezing these coins or setting a sunset date for outdated transactions to mitigate risks.

Recent advancements in quantum computing, including Google’s Willow chip, briefly unsettled the cryptocurrency market. A sudden wave of liquidations resulted in $1.6 billion being wiped out within 24 hours. However, Bitcoin demonstrated resilience, reclaiming the $100,000 resistance level and achieving a 4.6% weekly gain.

Proactive Measures for Long-Term Security

Experts widely agree that proactive steps, such as transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptographic frameworks, will be essential for ensuring Bitcoin’s long-term security. As the quantum era approaches, collaboration and innovation within the cryptocurrency community will be pivotal in maintaining its robustness against emerging threats.

The ongoing advancements in quantum computing present both challenges and opportunities. While they highlight vulnerabilities in existing systems, they also drive the cryptocurrency sector toward innovative solutions that will likely define the next chapter in its evolution.

Blockchain Innovation Drives Payroll and Employee Data Security in HR

 


In HR, blockchain technology is still in its infancy when it comes to gaining acceptance among the people. Despite this, it stands to be a great boon for the future of work as well. The APQC report indicates that 82% of companies are familiar with blockchain technology, but only 11.7% of businesses have implemented blockchain technology to improve employee performance. It is nonetheless encouraging to see a growing interest in blockchain HR, with 74% of companies planning to experiment with, use, or pilot blockchain technology. 

A blockchain-based HR application can help a variety of critical HR issues, including payroll and recruitment, employee verification, and contract management, to be dealt with more intelligently. Among the latest emerging technologies likely to make waves in the HR space is blockchain technology. Originally, it was designed to serve as the foundation upon which cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum were based. 

There are also many other benefits that blockchain technology can offer, such as decentralization, security, and transparency, which can offer a radical improvement in the management of human resources, particularly payroll management and employee data management. Blockchain is a technology for storing and transacting data on a distributed ledger across multiple computers with multiple users. 

In addition to being secure, transparent, and immutable, it makes records more valuable to the public. The data added to the database cannot be altered or deleted once it has been added. A decentralized system means that no one party has full control or ownership of the data being stored, so fraud and tampering are unlikely to occur because no one party controls the data. To truly grasp the meaning of blockchain technology and its role in protecting the privacy of employee data, one must understand its fundamentals beforehand. 

There is no doubt that at its core, a blockchain is a distributed, decentralized ledger that maintains a record of transactions, and this is done in such a way that makes it impossible to modify the data until that data has been agreed upon by everyone involved in the system. There is no single entity, between the blockchain and all its users, with control over the full blockchain, and because of this, it is intrinsically resistant to malicious attacks because of its decentralized nature.

The traditional way of storing data, whether it's cloud-based or on-premises, relies on centralized databases that operate on a local or remote computer. Due to their centralization, they become attractive targets for hackers because of this. Obtaining access to the central system can give malicious actors the ability to manipulate or steal enormous amounts of data once they have gained access to the system. 

In 2017, Equifax breached its security by exposing the personal details of 147 million people. This acts as a rude reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in centralized systems and is a clear example of this. There are many different use cases for blockchains in HR, but payroll is one of the strongest ones. Using blockchain technology, organizations can automate and secure payroll processes, which is crucial for organizations to be able to process payments to employees, contractors, and vendors in a timely fashion. 

Payroll systems that utilize blockchain technology can streamline the payment processing process, guaranteeing that all stakeholders are compensated in a timely and accurate manner. In its ability to assist in cross-border payments, blockchain technology has one of the most important advantages regarding payroll. Due to today's globalized working environment, many contractors and gig economy workers don't have traditional bank accounts that they can use for payments. Several local regulations and security problems can hinder traditional electronic payment methods, which can make them more difficult to use. 

Despite this, blockchain payroll systems can provide secure and efficient cross-border transactions through the use of cryptography. ADP, for instance, is already driving the adoption of blockchain technology for the development of innovative payroll applications through its software platform. As a result of the inherent security features of blockchain, these business solutions provide a secure environment for sensitive payroll data by leveraging the features inherent in blockchain. With blockchain technology, employers will be able to ensure that their employees' financial information is confidential and secure, while also allowing them to streamline their payroll process. 

As a result of blockchain technology, recruiters could be able to streamline their verification process and offer a decentralized method of verifying a candidate's identity, revolutionizing the recruitment process. As candidates can create their own secure digital identities on the blockchain, many organizations can verify that they can verify that identity as well. For both employees and candidates, this eliminates the need to submit the same information and credentials repeatedly, reducing the time and energy required for both to submit the same information and credentials. Recruiting systems that utilize blockchain technology are also less expensive than those that use paper-based recruitment methods. 

With the use of the blockchain, employers will be able to easily access and verify candidate credentials and work experience through the secure storage of candidate information. This enables the recruitment process to be completed at a much faster pace and ensures a higher level of accuracy and reliability, which results in a quicker selection and hiring process. With blockchain-based recruitment systems, the time-consuming, error-prone manual verification process is eliminated and fraud risks are reduced due to the streamlined verification process offered by these systems. 

Having all the necessary information secure and kept in a digital format on a blockchain platform, employers can be confident that the candidates they select for interviews and job offers will be able to perform at a high level, resulting in a more efficient and effective hiring process. Furthermore, blockchain technology can also improve the data security and privacy of recruitment data in addition to improving the verification process through blockchain technology. 

It can be argued that a decentralized system of identity verification will give candidates more control over the information that is shared about themselves with potential employers while retaining their privacy at the same time. The HR sector stands on the brink of transformation with the advent of blockchain technology, particularly in areas such as payroll management and employee data security. 

This decentralized, transparent, and highly secure framework has the potential to address longstanding challenges faced by HR, from payroll inefficiencies to growing concerns about data privacy. As organizations increasingly digitize their operations, blockchain in HR represents a pivotal advancement toward a future that is not only more secure but also more efficient for both employers and employees. 

The capacity of blockchain to automate processes, enhance operational transparency, and drive efficiency marks a significant leap forward for HR management. Looking ahead, it is evident that blockchain will play a critical role in shaping the HR landscape. Its ability to streamline payroll, recruitment, employee data security, and contract management is poised to free HR professionals from routine administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic decision-making, employee engagement, and performance analytics. 

Furthermore, the decentralized and tamper-proof nature of blockchain ensures that data is stored securely and is resistant to fraud and manipulation, fostering a greater level of trust within organizations. Though still in its early stages, the adoption of blockchain in HR is expected to accelerate as businesses embrace digital transformation. However, the path forward is not without challenges. 

Issues such as cybersecurity risks, regulatory compliance, counterparty risks, and data privacy will require concerted efforts from HR professionals, IT experts, and regulatory bodies to develop best practices and establish industry-wide standards. In conclusion, the future of HR management is closely tied to the integration of blockchain technology. Its potential to revolutionize processes, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency positions it as a game-changing innovation for the industry. HR professionals and businesses must be prepared to embrace these changes and seize the opportunities that blockchain offers for the future of work.

Blockchain Meets AI: The Impact of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance


The Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASA), comprising leading AI and blockchain projects such as SingularityNET, Fetch.ai, and Ocean Protocol, has taken a significant step forward by launching a unified token. This move aims to create a more cohesive and efficient decentralized AI ecosystem, with far-reaching implications for various sectors, including the burgeoning field of gambling.

The Vision Behind the Alliance

The ASA’s primary objective is to foster collaboration and integration among decentralized AI systems. By merging their respective tokens—AGIX (SingularityNET), OCEAN (Ocean Protocol), and FET (Fetch.ai)—into a single token called ASI, the alliance seeks to streamline operations and enhance interoperability. This unified token is designed to facilitate seamless interactions between different AI platforms, thereby accelerating the development and deployment of advanced AI solutions.

Decentralized AI: The Future of Technology

Decentralized AI represents a paradigm shift from traditional, centralized AI models. In a decentralized framework, AI systems are distributed across a network of nodes, ensuring greater transparency, security, and resilience. This approach mitigates the risks associated with central points of failure and enhances the robustness of AI applications.

The ASA’s initiative aligns with the broader trend towards decentralization in the tech industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, the alliance aims to create a trustless environment where AI agents can interact and collaborate without the need for intermediaries. This not only reduces operational costs but also fosters innovation by enabling a more open and inclusive ecosystem.

The Role of the ASI Token

The introduction of the ASI token is a pivotal aspect of the ASA’s strategy. This unified token serves as the backbone of the alliance’s decentralized AI ecosystem, facilitating transactions and interactions between different AI platforms. The ASI token is designed to be highly versatile, supporting a wide range of use cases, from data sharing and AI model training to decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

One of the most intriguing applications of the ASI token is in the gambling industry. The integration of AI and blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize online gambling by enhancing transparency, fairness, and security. AI algorithms can be used to analyze vast amounts of data, providing insights that can improve the user experience and optimize betting strategies. Meanwhile, blockchain technology ensures that all transactions are immutable and verifiable, reducing the risk of fraud and manipulation.

What it means for the Gambling Industry?

The gambling industry stands to benefit significantly from the advancements brought about by the ASA. By leveraging AI and blockchain technology, online gambling platforms can offer a more secure and transparent environment for users. AI-driven analytics can provide personalized recommendations and insights, enhancing the overall user experience. Additionally, the use of blockchain technology ensures that all transactions are recorded on a public ledger, providing an added layer of security and trust.

The ASI token can also facilitate seamless transactions within the gambling ecosystem. Users can utilize the token to place bets, participate in games, and access various services offered by online gambling platforms. The interoperability of the ASI token across different AI platforms further enhances its utility, making it a valuable asset for users and developers alike.

Telegram Users Cross 900 Million, Company Plans to Launch App Store


Aims to reach 1 Billion followers: Telegram founder

Telegram, a famous messaging app crossed 900 million active users recently, it will aim to cross the 1 billion milestone by 2024. According to Pavel Durov, the company's founder, it also plans to launch an app store and an in-app browser supporting web3 pages by July.

In March, Telegram reached 900 million. While addressing the achievement, Durov said the company wishes to be profitable by 2025.

Telegram looks proactive in adopting web3 tech for its platform. Since the beginning, the company has been a strong supporter of blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives, but it couldn't enter the space due to its initial coin offering failure in 2018. “We began monetizing primarily to maintain our independence. Generally, we see value in [an IPO] as a means of democratizing access to Telegram's assets,” Durov said in an interview with the Financial Times earlier this year.

Telegram and TON blockchain

Telegram started auctioning usernames on the TON blockchain in December 2018. It has emphasized assisting developers in building mini-apps and games that utilize cryptocurrency while doing transactions. In 2024, the company started sharing ad revenues with channel owners by giving out Toncoin (a token on the TON blockchain). At the beginning of July 2024, Telegram began allowing channel owners to convert stars to Toncoin for buying ads at discount prices or trade cryptocurrencies.

Scam and Telegram

But telegram has been long suffering from scams and attacks from threat actors. According to a Kaspersky report, since November 2023, it has fallen victim to different peddling schemes by scammers, letting them steal Toncoins from users. According to Durov, Telegram plans on improving its moderation processes this year as multiple global elections surface (few have already happened as we speak) and deploy AI-related mechanisms to address potential problems. 

Financial Times reported “Messaging rival WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has 1.8bn monthly active users, while encrypted communications app Signal has 30mn as of February 2024, according to an analysis by Sensor Tower, though this data only covers mobile app use. Telegram’s bid for advertising dollars is at odds with its reputation as a renegade platform with a hands-off approach to moderation, which recently drew scrutiny for allowing some Hamas-related content to remain on the platform. ”