Telegram in-app browser is the focus of this TON Drop Hub update for readers following Telegram Mini Apps, TON ecosystem activity and related user risks. Alongside the in-app browser, Telegram has launched its Mini App store. This update introduces the ability to send “Stars”—the payment unit for Mini Apps—to friends, and expands both social and transaction flows inside Telegram. Usage is already significant; Hamster Kombat, a Web3 game built within Telegram, recently attracted 300 million players in four months. These developments mean users and developers can interact with decentralized services, games, and payments in a seamless environment, removing the need for external browsers or wallets.
How Telegram's In-App Browser Connects Users to TON Sites
The new in-app browser is integrated directly into Telegram’s mobile and desktop apps, making "TON Sites" and other decentralized destinations accessible without leaving Telegram. This update, paired with the Mini App store, positions the browser as an instant gateway for Web3 content and services.
Users can now navigate Mini Apps—including games, financial tools, and social platforms—with more fluidity, sending Stars easily within chats. Mini App engagement is high: more than 500 million of Telegram’s 950 million users access Mini Apps monthly. Prominent examples include Hamster Kombat and Catizen, both built on TON, leveraging the browser for deep integration.
For developers and projects, this means onboarding new users directly inside Telegram—eliminating reliance on third-party wallets or browsers—to deliver native-like experiences within a trusted interface. This improved approach allows new and established decentralized sites quicker access to mainstream audiences.
Mini App Store and Social Payments
Telegram’s in-app browser and Mini App Store streamline onboarding for decentralized apps. TON Sites can be reached and interacted with directly within Telegram, so users don’t need to leave the app or install outside tools. Social and payment features converge: users can discover new projects, send Stars, and make in-app purchases in the same place they chat.
Stars, the internal currency for Mini Apps, create smoother flows between social and transactional activity. Users send Stars to friends, top game leaderboards, or join social reward events—all from standard chats. Hamster Kombat and Catizen exemplify this adoption trend: over 500 million users interact with Mini Apps monthly. Catizen alone has reported 26 million players and $16 million in purchases since March.
This tight integration raises practical considerations around user safety and transactions. Users are encouraged to scrutinize app permissions and verify authenticity of Mini Apps to avoid scams or fake programs. For builders, Telegram’s policies and onboarding flows define the new user journey—reducing blockchain friction, but increasing the importance of transparent app curation and clear payment UX.
Hamster Kombat and Catizen: Flagship Mini Apps
Hamster Kombat and Catizen have quickly become top decentralized apps on Telegram, underscoring the appeal of streamlined onboarding in a mainstream messenger. Hamster Kombat surpassed 300 million players in its first four months, and Catizen has reached 26 million users since March, with $16 million in in-app purchases. While these figures are widely cited, most have not been independently audited outside of Telegram.
Both games use Toncoin for their core features, operating within Telegram’s Web3 and Mini App stack. The new browser support for TON Sites integrates this experience more deeply for users. Game mechanics vary: Hamster Kombat is tap-to-earn, while Catizen highlights social and entertainment models. However, some aspects of on-chain transparency and asset custody remain limited within Telegram’s ecosystem.
Verification options for users are limited—such as confirming Catizen’s reported $160,000 in donations—unless detailed blockchain proofs are available. Anyone interacting with these apps should validate payout and withdrawal options through the TON blockchain or verified support channels. It’s critical to use only official, recognized Mini App links within Telegram.
TON Drop Hub take: While high engagement numbers are impressive, third-party tracking and clear withdrawal mechanisms are essential for users, especially in fast-growing apps like Hamster Kombat and Catizen.
Telegram’s in-app browser for decentralized sites (“TON Sites”) significantly expands blockchain access inside a mainstream social platform. With support across devices and robust participation in Mini Apps and platforms like Hamster Kombat and Catizen, Telegram’s move strengthens the ties between social interaction, crypto, and mini-game economies.
TON Drop Hub take: Native in-app browser support cuts onboarding friction and places Web3 services within instant reach. For project teams, smart flows and strong app security can turn Telegram’s vast audience into lasting, engaged users.
For deeper coverage, visit TON projects and mini-apps.
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