The NFT market has seen better days, with trading volumes down more than 95% from its peak. Yet, amid the broader slump, one blockchain is quietly defying the trend—TON. Thanks to the explosive growth of Telegram Collectible Gifts, the network has surged to become the second most active chain for NFT trading, trailing only Ethereum.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, recently highlighted the platform’s rapid ascent, noting that TON now leads in daily NFT trading volume—if off-chain transactions are included—or sits comfortably in second place behind Ethereum when counting only on-chain swaps. The rise has been fueled by Telegram Collectible Gifts, digital stickers that users can mint as NFTs, display in profiles, and trade within the app. Unlike traditional NFTs, these gifts blend seamlessly with Telegram’s chat functions, making them more accessible to mainstream users.
What started as a niche feature has snowballed into a cultural phenomenon. Certain stickers have gained cult status, with prices skyrocketing over the past month. The organic integration with Telegram’s ecosystem has been key—users don’t need to navigate external marketplaces or grapple with complex wallets. Instead, they can buy, sell, and flaunt their digital collectibles directly in chats.
The success of Collectible Gifts has pushed TON ahead of Solana in NFT activity, a notable shift given Solana’s historical dominance in the space. But TON’s model differs significantly. While Ethereum thrives on high-value PFP collections and Solana on speculative trading, Telegram’s approach leans into utility and social engagement. The ability to mint NFTs for minimal fees, coupled with the viral nature of sticker culture, has created a self-sustaining economy.
Beyond collectibles, the ecosystem ties into Telegram’s broader digital rewards system, particularly through Stars—a token used for in-app purchases and gaming. Some games, like *Boinkers*, have already generated over $821,000 in withdrawals, with unknown whales moving as much as $2 million. This interplay between gaming, social features, and NFTs has given TON a unique edge.
Still, challenges remain. The broader NFT market remains a shadow of its former self, with lending platforms collapsing and most collections losing 99% of their value. Even OpenSea, once the undisputed leader, only recently saw a volume resurgence after a major relaunch. Yet, Telegram’s experiment suggests NFTs aren’t dead—they’re evolving. By lowering barriers to entry and embedding digital ownership into everyday interactions, TON might just be paving the way for the next phase of NFTs—one where utility trumps speculation.
With over $36 million in total sales and 184,021 active wallets, Telegram Collectible Gifts have already outperformed most legacy NFT projects. And if the current momentum holds, they could redefine what it means to own a piece of the digital world.
