The Gateway 2024 — Key Announcements from TON and the Future of Blockchain
Gateway 2024 in Dubai marked a significant moment for the TON ecosystem, showcasing its ambitious vision for the future of blockchain. The event agenda featured expanded DeFi capabilities, interactive art, developer support, and innovative projects where technology moves from theory to real applications. These developments make TON a space where digital assets, applications, and communities find new and unexpected ways to interact.
If you missed the conference, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. In this overview, we’ve gathered the most important insights and key announcements that illustrate how TON is reshaping what’s possible in the decentralized internet.
A Billion Dollar Milestone: TON Leads in USDT Adoption Speed
At Gateway 2024, TON announced a major milestone—reaching $1 billion in USDT on the TON blockchain. This achievement has positioned TON as the fastest-growing blockchain for Tether, setting a record-breaking adoption rate just six months after its launch in April 2024.
100 Million Non-Custodial Wallets in the TON Ecosystem
TON reached an impressive milestone by registering 100 million non-custodial wallets connected to TON mini-apps. With this number, TON is making significant strides toward its goal of making cryptocurrencies accessible and understandable for millions worldwide. Now, digital assets are becoming a natural part of everyday life.
Hackathons and TON Events: Community Energy
In 2024, TON hosted over 20 events, including hackathons that brought together people from around the world. These weren’t just gatherings—they were a meeting point for creative and technical minds that are driving TON forward. The TON community is dynamic, creating the future of blockchain right now.
Meme Coin Market Cap: Notcoin, Dogs, Catizen, and Hamster
Over the past year, the meme token market has seen explosive growth, both in user numbers and market value. With a combined market capitalization of approximately $2 billion, tokens like Hamster Kombat, Dogs, Catizen, and Notcoin are reshaping the blockchain landscape. Hamster Kombat leads with a peak of 204 million users and a steady 100 million monthly active users (MAU). Dogs has reached 52 million active users, hitting 50 million MAU, while Catizen attracted 22 million. Notcoin, despite lower user numbers, contributed significantly to trading volumes, reaching $1.27 billion in its first 24 hours. Altogether, these tokens have driven the growth of on-chain accounts to 115 million, highlighting immense interest in meme tokens and blockchain applications throughout 2024.
TON-Powered Ridesharing: 7,000 Blockchain Trips
A ridesharing app based on TON processed 7,000 trips during the Token 2049 conference in Singapore, allowing users to pay for rides with TON tokens. This use case highlights TON's convenience and potential to integrate into everyday services like transportation, showing its ability to attract a broad audience through platforms accessible in Telegram.
TON Space Wallet: As Easy as Liking a Post
The TON Space wallet will soon become the default, enabling Telegram users to manage assets and engage with DeFi functions seamlessly. The simplicity with which TON makes cryptocurrency accessible is remarkable—accessing assets is now as intuitive as actions on social media.
USDT Support in Hyperinflation Regions
TON actively supports users in hyperinflationary countries like Argentina and Nigeria, providing access to a stable currency. USDT allows them to avoid sharp fluctuations in local currencies and use cryptocurrency for daily needs. In unstable economies where prices can change daily, TON serves as a financial anchor, offering much-needed stability.
TON Keeper: Expanded Features for Retail Users
TON Keeper has become an even more powerful tool for asset management—now supporting multi-accounts, multi-signature capabilities, and new DeFi features including stablecoins and TG Bitcoin. Users gain access to a wide range of tools that make finance management simple and secure, opening up the world of crypto to retail clients.
Development of Decentralized Apps (dApps) on Telegram Platform
TON expands Telegram's capabilities, enabling users to pay for rides, book hotels, and access other services directly within the messenger. TON dApps make familiar services even more accessible, integrating cryptocurrency into everyday tasks. Blockchain no longer requires complex setups—it’s seamlessly embedded into daily life, making it easier and more convenient.
TON App Journal: A New Media Platform for Users and Developers
Vladimir Makhov, CEO of TON Vision, announced the launch of TON App Journal—a media section within TON App where news, analytics, and project reviews will be published. This journal will serve as a central information platform for the entire community, uniting startups, developers, and users, while also offering advertising opportunities to support new projects. TON App Journal is a meeting place for ideas, news, and opportunities.
TONX API for Seamless User Experience
The TONX API allows users to switch seamlessly between applications like ridesharing and delivery without having to navigate away from their current platform. This API creates a frictionless user experience, making TON applications an integral part of everyday services and reinforcing the idea that blockchain can be invisible yet highly convenient.
TON Accelerator Portal and Strategic Partnerships
The new TON Accelerator portal provides developers with essential tools to scale their projects successfully. Here, they can find community support, create team profiles, and find co-founders. Programs like the Open League, where over 220 projects have received support totaling $40 million, stimulate the development of the TON ecosystem and attract numerous developers and investors.
Smart Contract Languages TOLK and Tact: A Choice for Developers
TON introduced two programming languages for smart contracts: TOLK and Tact. The first focuses on detailed control and optimization, while the second emphasizes convenience and development speed. This broadens the options for developers of different levels and experience, making the TON ecosystem even more accessible.
TON Light Nodes API: Reliability Anywhere
The Light Nodes-based API ensures stability and reduces network load. Users can rely on continuous data availability, making TON a powerful and resilient platform even under heavy loads. This service redefines speed and reliability when working with blockchain.
Blockchain Analytics and SQL Queries
TON implemented analytics servers that allow SQL queries for blockchain data analysis. Now developers and researchers can easily access network metrics, providing deep analytics capabilities for creating new dApps and better understanding user activity. This isn’t just statistics—it’s access to network dynamics and insights into its development.
Support from Blum Labs and The Open Platform
Blum Labs and The Open Platform have invested in the TON ecosystem, funding more than ten projects, including Skate and X Empire. These investments expand TON’s technological foundation and create infrastructure that attracts more users and developers. With this partnership, TON not only grows but also strengthens its position as a serious platform for innovation.
TON Society: Global Events for the Community
Under the TON Society program, over 300 events were held worldwide in 2024. Conferences, hackathons, and meetups provide a space for idea exchange and collaboration where users and developers can connect and share ideas. TON Society is a living network that unites people, fostering creativity and new solutions.
HashKey Supports TON: Opening Doors for Institutional Investors
HashKey has expressed strong support for the TON ecosystem, aiming to attract institutional investors and establish a solid regulatory foundation. This backing elevates TON as a serious player for major financial organizations, adding trust and strategic significance to the platform. TON continues to gain credibility within the industry, with HashKey as one of the key supporters.
TON Studio: Everything for Convenient Development on TON
TON Studio offers a complete set of tools for developers, including Webhooks for creating complex dApps and new libraries and frameworks that simplify work on the platform. This toolkit transforms the development process on TON into a flexible and engaging experience where developers can quickly move from concept to finished product.
Tonhub Launches Visa Debit Card for $TON and $USDt Balances
Tonhub has introduced a new product — a Visa debit card that allows direct payments from $TON and $USDt balances. The card supports SEPA, SWIFT, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, with a simple KYC process and a fixed 1.5% transaction fee. Now, a Tonhub account is more than just a wallet: it’s a smart contract on the TON blockchain, giving users full control over their funds. The card is available for EU ID holders, with global expansion planned for 2025.
USDT Transactions: Impressive Scale
TON handles an impressive $6 billion in USDT transactions monthly, with 4 million on-chain operations. These figures make TON not just a platform but one of the most attractive places for DeFi investors and users ready to work with high crypto asset volumes. TON is becoming a new financial magnet for the DeFi world.
TON BTC Teleport: Bitcoin Transfers Without Middlemen
TON BTC Teleport offers users a convenient way to directly transfer Bitcoin into the TON ecosystem, bypassing the need for third-party intermediaries. This approach not only expands DeFi options on TON but also makes Bitcoin transactions fast and secure. Transfers become as simple as managing your own wallet.
Cross-Chain Applications and EVM Liquidity: Bridging TON and Ethereum
TON announced the development of applications that will create a bridge between TON and Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Backed by a $5 million fund, this project will connect Telegram users to $90 billion in EVM liquidity. For TON users, this means access to the largest liquid markets and financial products.
Layer Zero: A New Step Towards Blockchain Unification
Among the announcements at Gateway 2024 was the integration with Layer Zero — an interchain protocol enabling decentralized applications on TON to seamlessly interact with other blockchains. Layer Zero functions as a universal data transmission channel, connecting over 85 blockchains and providing access to $50 billion in liquidity. This integration opens TON to a broader ecosystem and makes omni-chain applications possible, allowing users to interact with assets and services on other blockchains without leaving the TON platform.
DeDust: Strengthening DeFi in the TON Ecosystem
DeDust has introduced key updates that set a new standard for DeFi within the TON ecosystem.
Liquidity management has become even more efficient: updated pools boost profits, while customizable settings provide greater flexibility for developers and advanced users. Reduced fees for liquidity providers simplify asset management and make operations more cost-effective.
Staking reaches new heights with the integration of TON Space. Enhanced operational security, personalized options for asset lock durations, and a fair reward system that considers both volume and duration make staking more convenient and rewarding.
Support for USDT ensures stability, even for users in economically unstable regions. Integration with Telegram mini-apps and Ton Connect offers an intuitive interface, making it easy to manage assets and connect to the platform.
DeDust has solidified its position as a leading platform in TON, making decentralized finance more accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Dust X: User-Managed Liquidity
Dust X is TON's new AMM protocol, allowing developers to create custom liquidity pools with unique parameters and custom algorithms. This tool offers flexibility and dynamic feeds, giving developers the freedom to integrate and test their own solutions for liquidity management. Dust X has big plans and is already setting a high standard for protocols on TON.
Tap to Pump: Meme Coins for Everyone
The Tap to Pump project by TON Foundation has an ambitious goal—to turn social applications into meme coin creation platforms. Users will have access to tools for simple coin launches and promotions, making the process as easy as posting online. Tap to Pump represents a new chapter in the creator economy, where anyone can launch their idea and build their audience.
TON Bridge: Simple and Secure Cross-Chain Asset Transfers
TON Bridge enables users to transfer assets easily and securely between TON and other blockchains, paving the way for cross-chain interactions. This solution simplifies access to liquidity and assets on other platforms, making TON flexible and convenient for users active in multiple ecosystems.
Launch of Gasless Payments
The TON ecosystem has introduced Gasless Payments — a feature designed to simplify blockchain interactions. Users can now pay transaction fees not only with TON tokens but also with stablecoins like USDT, making the platform accessible even to newcomers. Integration with Telegram mini-apps allows users to utilize popular tokens to cover transaction fees and get started without the need to purchase TON. Gasless Payments is already in use within Telegram mini-apps, enabling seamless transactions and service payments. In the future, TON plans to expand the list of supported assets for transaction fees, further democratizing decentralized finance for millions of users.
Enhanced DeFi Incentives: New Staking and Liquidity Opportunities
TON offers users protocols for liquidity management and staking income. Dust and Stoney provide liquid staking options, while EVA Finance opens up lending and borrowing capabilities. In the future, TON plans to expand synthetic assets and cross-chain solutions, creating favorable conditions for long-term investors and strengthening TON's position as a reliable DeFi platform.
Axelar and Symbiosis: Expanding TON’s Boundaries with Cross-Chain Transfers
Axelar and Symbiosis bring cross-chain transfers and interoperability to TON users, enabling seamless interactions with other blockchains. These integrations ensure fast and secure cross-chain transactions, enhancing TON’s strength and functionality for DeFi users.
Phygital Art by Pokras Lampas: Unique Creations Blending the Physical and Digital
Pokras Lampas has unveiled a project that uses his own 3D-printing technology to create physical objects complemented by digital assets. These works are showcased at TON Diamonds auctions, offering collectors a unique experience of owning art pieces that exist simultaneously in both physical and digital realms. This approach opens a new dimension in art, proving that blockchain and art can harmoniously enhance each other.
Digital Art with Soul — “Kokorono Ki” Game by Ellen Sheidlin
Artist Ellen Sheidlin has brought her creative world to the blockchain by presenting the game "Kokorono Ki." Players journey through the mystical tree of her artistry, where each element carries a part of the artist's soul. The project is based on NFTs, allowing players to interact with elements of her art as if they are within her world. This is not just a game; it’s a truly unique immersion into Ellen’s universe through the TON blockchain.
Andrey Yakovenko on TON Diamonds: Freedom and Privacy in Every Stroke
Telegram’s Creative Director, Andrey Yakovenko, has joined TON Diamonds with his artwork “Resistance.” This powerful piece, exploring themes of freedom and privacy, is now available on the platform as an auctioned NFT. TON Diamonds’ collaborations with contemporary artists like Yakovenko not only expand blockchain art collections but also create a platform for new forms of artistic expression accessible to collectors worldwide.
NFT and JetTon for Artists and Brands — Create. Share. Engage.
Soon, users will be able to create and distribute NFT and JetTon tokens effortlessly through the TON console, making digital asset creation accessible to everyone. TON offers artists and brands a unique opportunity to engage with their audience by creating exclusive NFT collections and digital souvenirs. This is especially valuable for creators who can organize collections, hold auctions, or distribute limited-edition tokens to their fans. JetTon enables brands to build their own economies, enhancing loyalty and interest in their products or identity.
New Features for Mini Apps in Telegram
While the main announcements at the Gateway 2024 conference focused on the future of TON, recent updates from Telegram, shared by Pavel Durov, also deserve attention. Telegram is preparing to launch ten new features for Mini Apps, enabling developers to create entirely new types of applications and games directly within the platform.
The new features include:
- Full-Screen Mode for immersive app experiences
- Home Screen Shortcuts for quick access to Mini Apps
- Subscription Plans in Stars for content monetization
- Geolocation Access with Permissions, unlocking new possibilities for location-based applications
- Device Orientation API for using gyroscope and accelerometer data
- Emoji Status Access for more expressive interactions
- Media Sharing from Mini Apps to chats
- Sending Gifts and Virtual Items
- Expanded Messaging Limits
- Ad Monetization with a 50/50 revenue split
Some of these features are already live, while others will be rolled out in the coming weeks. This expansion of Mini Apps capabilities not only allows developers to add more functionality to their projects but also creates more engagement opportunities for TON and Telegram users.
Gateway 2024 — Summing Up
Gateway 2024 marks the beginning of a new era in TON’s journey. The ecosystem has made a bold statement, opening doors to a world where blockchain comes alive in the hands of millions of users and creators. From art to financial innovations, TON bridges reality and digital potential, providing everyone with tools to bring their daring ideas to life. The vision of the future revealed by TON at Gateway 2024 paves the way for global transformation, connecting people and technology in ways that once seemed impossible.
