The TON blockchain has surged to become the fourth-largest network by NFT trading volume in the past 24 hours, driven by an influx of minting activity linked to Telegram’s new in-app gifting feature. Data from the blockchain analytics account Zenith on X highlights the platform’s rapid ascent, noting that TON’s trading volume is now just $90,194 away from overtaking Bitcoin’s NFT ecosystem.
TON’s recent boom is attributed to the introduction of Telegram Gifts and the in-app asset, Stars, which allow users to convert digital gifts into on-chain NFTs. This mechanism has significantly expanded TON’s NFT activity, positioning it as a serious contender in the NFT space. Just two weeks ago, the network’s daily NFT trading volume averaged $175,785. That figure has since increased by 137%, with a peak of $823,361 recorded on February 2.
Telegram Gifts Fuel NFT Expansion
TON’s NFT surge is closely tied to its integration with Telegram’s vast user base. The social messaging platform has introduced Stars as a means to enhance digital gifts, enabling users to mint them as NFTs. Initially, these gifts appear as standard images but can be transformed into blockchain-based assets with unique traits, making them tradeable on secondary markets.
Telegram estimates that around 400 million users actively engage with mini apps and in-app games, a significant audience that could drive sustained adoption of TON-based NFTs. Stars, priced at $0.016 each, serve as the currency for upgrading gifts into collectibles. While purchases through the Apple Store and Google Play incur additional fees, the process remains relatively inexpensive, allowing users to mint and trade NFTs at a low cost.
Unlike traditional NFT collections that rely on generative drops, TON’s approach fosters organic growth. The collectibles evolve directly within Telegram’s ecosystem, gaining value through user interactions rather than speculative hype. More than 20 million gifts have already been minted as NFTs, a number expected to rise as adoption spreads.
TON NFT Marketplaces and Secondary Sales
As TON’s NFT activity accelerates, dedicated marketplaces have emerged to facilitate trading. GetGems and MarketApp report hundreds of daily users, while Fragment has taken the lead in sales, recording $374,800 in transactions over the past 24 hours—a 70% increase compared to previous days.
Anonymous Telegram numbers and usernames have become some of the most sought-after collectibles, with the largest number of holders. Unlike traditional NFT markets that emphasize high-value sales, TON’s ecosystem is built around accessibility and utility. The most expensive NFTs trade for 64 TON, while the average price hovers around 0.2 TON, reinforcing the network’s focus on engagement rather than exclusivity.
TON’s NFT expansion comes at a time when the broader blockchain ecosystem is adjusting to market corrections. The TON token recently slid to $3.74, reflecting a loss in speculative momentum. However, the surge in NFT activity, driven by Telegram’s adoption, is positioning the network for long-term growth. With its in-chat functionality and seamless on-chain transactions, TON and Telegram aim to capture a mass audience, potentially reshaping how NFTs are used in everyday digital interactions.
