Telegram is taking a big leap into the crypto space with the launch of its new self-custodial crypto wallet in the United States, powered by a partnership with MoonPay. This innovative feature allows millions of users to send, receive, and manage cryptocurrency directly within the Telegram app — no downloads or browser extensions required.
With Telegram’s global reach and its commitment to blockchain innovation, this wallet could become a major player in the crypto wallet landscape.
Simplicity and Control
Telegram’s new wallet is built on The Open Platform (TOP), leveraging the power of the TON blockchain, a decentralized network originally developed by Telegram. By integrating the wallet natively into the messaging app, Telegram ensures users can transact with crypto just as easily as sending a message. Users maintain full control over their private keys and funds, embodying the self-custodial ethos that puts ownership and security directly in the hands of the users.
Big User Base and Growing Adoption
Telegram’s previous global crypto wallet launch attracted over 100 million users, and the new U.S. rollout aims to expand this to the app’s nearly one billion global users. Although Telegram’’s active user base in the U.S. is smaller (about 10 million monthly active users), the app saw a significant surge in downloads last year with over 35 million new installs.
Getting started is simple—users can head into the “Wallet” section within Telegram’s settings. From there, users can:
- Send cryptocurrency directly via chats to friends and contacts across the U.S. and internationally.
- Purchase cryptocurrency without fees using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or MoonPay bank cards.
- Cash out crypto funds directly to MoonPay bank cards.
- Earn interest on digital assets through annual percentage yield (APY) programs.
- Engage with stablecoins and other digital assets seamlessly within the app.
The wallet’s self-custodial design ensures users retain full ownership and control, which is a crucial trust factor amid growing concerns over centralized exchanges and custodians.
And as the TON ecosystem continues to grow and the number of users expands, Telegram is becoming an easy way for people to interact with digital assets and blockchain-based tools—all within the app they already use every day.
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