TON Space Wallet Introduces Telegram Stars Payment Option for Gas Fees

TON Space users can now pay blockchain gas fees using Telegram Stars, marking a significant advancement in the integration between the messaging platform and The Open Network (TON). The update eliminates the need for users to hold TON tokens to cover transaction costs, instead allowing them to leverage Telegram's native currency.

The Open Platform (TOP), a venture builder and VC focusing on early-stage TON Blockchain projects, revealed the development to BeInCrypto in an exclusive report. This change represents a fundamental shift in how users interact with blockchain technology within the Telegram ecosystem, removing a major friction point for newcomers unfamiliar with cryptocurrency management.

"TON has already become an integral part of the Telegram ecosystem," said The Open Platform CEO Andrew Rogozov in a statement to BeInCrypto. "By embedding Telegram Stars to pay for blockchain transactions in TON Space, we are bringing crypto even closer to the messenger's community." He added that since Stars are native to Telegram, using them for blockchain fees will encourage greater adoption while enabling seamless transactions.

TON Space functions as a self-custodial wallet embedded within Telegram's Wallet feature, allowing users to store, send, and manage digital assets on the TON blockchain. Unlike traditional custodial services requiring third-party oversight, the wallet grants users complete control over their funds.

The pricing mechanism ties Star costs to current Toncoin (TON) exchange rates. "You can use Stars to pay blockchain fees for sending or swapping tokens," reads the feature description. "On the withdrawal and swap pages, you have the option to pay the blockchain fee with Stars." Users with insufficient Stars can purchase them directly within their non-custodial wallet.

Toncoin's volatility as an asset may affect the network fees paid with Stars. A similar functionality has already been implemented in Tonkeeper, another self-custodial TON wallet, through its "Battery" feature allowing users to prepay transaction fees.

This development comes amid rapid expansion across the TON ecosystem. Telegram-based crypto trading platform TonTrader recently surpassed 100,000 trades, highlighting growing interest in on-chain trading within the messaging platform's environment. Meanwhile, Hamster Kombat has launched a gaming-focused Layer-2 blockchain on TON, signaling a push toward greater scalability and gaming adoption.

The release of Telegram founder Pavel Durov by French authorities could potentially inject fresh momentum into TON, possibly boosting its recovering Total Value Locked (TVL). With Telegram boasting over 950 million users and more than 100 million TON Space wallets created since exiting beta in December 2024, the integration of Stars for gas fees could dramatically lower barriers to blockchain engagement.

By embedding these innovations within Telegram's massive user base, TON is positioning itself as a leader in bringing decentralized applications to mainstream audiences. The streamlined payment process could pave the way for broader blockchain adoption within social applications, potentially increasing user participation exponentially as transaction barriers diminish.

Industry observers note that this integration represents one of the most significant steps toward blockchain accessibility within a major messaging platform to date. The development aligns with TON's broader strategy of seamlessly incorporating blockchain functionality into everyday digital interactions, making cryptocurrency transactions as familiar as sending a message.