Rapid sale of virtual gifts worth $11 million on Telegram within two minutes
In an exciting move, Telegram Premium has introduced a new feature that allows users to send animated gifts that can become collectible Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). These digital gifts are integrated with the TON blockchain, making them directly tradable, buyable, sellable, and showcase-able within the Telegram app itself[1].
This move marks a significant step for Telegram, moving beyond messaging and into a platform that supports creators and digital collectibles. The NFT gifting feature is now native and accessible within the Telegram ecosystem.
Rapid Success and Growing Interest
The introduction of NFT gifting on Telegram has seen rapid success, with digital gifts selling out in seconds, such as Tengr.ai’s NFT collection[4]. This trend indicates a growing interest in digital collectibles and gifts, driving engagement and monetization opportunities on platforms incorporating NFT technology.
Artists and celebrities, including rapper Snoop Dogg, have embraced NFTs as digital gifts or collectibles, aligning with broader industry trends where fans increasingly seek unique, tradable digital assets. While specific sales figures for Snoop Dogg’s NFT gifts were not found, the overall NFT market, bolstered by celebrity participation, is becoming more mainstream and profitable.
Popular NFT Gifts on Telegram
Among the NFT gifts available for purchase by Telegram premium users are the "Resistance Dog" and "Durov's glasses". Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, announced a limited series of gifts for the messenger, including these items, as well as a "sand castle", "surfboard", and "pink flamingo"[2].
The Future of NFT Gifting on Telegram
Developers have promised to add a category of NFT gifts for Telegram Premium users by the end of July[3]. By September 1, there may be gifts with stricter limitations available on Telegram.
The popularity of NFTs has grown significantly in 2021-2022, with collectible tokens being sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars and the formation of cults around collections like Bored Ape Yacht Club[5]. The sale of NFT gifts on Telegram is facilitated by the internal marketplace using Toncoin (TON) cryptocurrency.
The sale of NFT gifts on Telegram was promoted by a clip featuring Snoop Dogg[6]. The rapper reportedly earned approximately $12 million from selling NFT gifts on the platform.
In conclusion, Telegram Premium's introduction of NFT-based animated gifts has been a success, with growing user interest and platform engagement. The trend towards NFT gifting is shaping platform strategies, providing new opportunities for artists, celebrities, and users alike.
Users can purchase a variety of animated NFT gifts on Telegram, such as Durov's glasses or the Resistance Dog, using the internal Toncoin marketplace[7]. With the growing popularity of NFTs, smartphone-owners and tech enthusiasts alike are now incorporating technology like blockchain and cryptocurrency in their gadget usage[8].
