TLDR
- TON (The Open Network) is getting a new layer-2 scaling network called TON Applications Chain (TAC).
- TAC is a collaboration between TON and Polygon Labs, using Polygon’s Chain Development Kit and AggLayer protocol.
- The new layer-2 will enable Ethereum-compatible applications to work within the TON ecosystem.
- This development comes amid a boom in Telegram gaming, with games like Notcon and Hamster Kombat gaining millions of players.
- TON has recently surpassed Ethereum in daily active addresses.
The Open Network (TON), a blockchain closely linked to the popular messaging app Telegram, is set to launch its first layer-2 scaling network.
This new development, called TON Applications Chain (TAC), is a collaboration between TON and Polygon Labs. The goal is to connect TON with the Ethereum ecosystem, allowing Ethereum-compatible applications to work within TON.
TAC will use Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK) and AggLayer interoperability protocol. These tools will enable the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) applications to function in the TON ecosystem.
This means developers who create apps for Ethereum can now reach TON’s large user base, particularly Telegram users.
Pavel Altukhov, CEO of TAC, explained that this collaboration will help bridge the gap between TON and Ethereum ecosystems. It will make it easier to integrate decentralized apps (DApps) within Telegram, potentially increasing user engagement.
This news comes at a time when Telegram is seeing a boom in crypto gaming. Games like Notcon and Hamster Kombat have gained millions of players in recent weeks.
These games use crypto incentives to attract players. For example, Hamster Kombat has over 200 million players and is planning to launch its own token on TON soon.
The gaming trend has helped TON grow significantly. According to a report by Messari, TON’s daily active addresses surpassed Ethereum’s in June. This growth has been driven by TAC’s founding team, which includes Michael Egorov, the founder of Curve Finance.
The team behind The Open Protocol (TOP), which offers crypto wallet features within Telegram, has also played a key role.
Telegram itself has been embracing TON more in recent months. The platform now uses TON to pay channel operators a share of ad revenue. The new layer-2 solution is expected to bring more decentralized finance (DeFi) activity to TON.
Michael Egorov believes that the collaboration between TAC and Polygon Labs will bring important EVM expertise to TON. He suggests that this could connect hundreds of millions of Telegram users with DeFi, potentially driving the next wave of DeFi adoption.
While these developments are exciting for many in the crypto world, they also come with challenges. As activity on TON increases, there have been reports of a rise in phishing attacks.
Yu Xian, the founder of SlowMist, has warned about the spread of deceptive links through Telegram message groups and airdrops.
Despite these concerns, the integration of EVM functionality through TAC and Polygon Labs is seen as a significant step forward.
It promises to expand the range of applications available to TON users, offering new opportunities in areas like DeFi, gaming, and decentralized identity solutions.
As of now, no specific launch date for the TAC layer-2 chain has been announced. However, the crypto community is watching closely, anticipating the potential impact this development could have on both the TON and Ethereum ecosystems.
