TON introduces on-chain encrypted messaging feature

TON – The Open Network

The Open Network (TON) has introduced its own on-chain encrypted messaging feature. Announced on July 3, this new capability enables secure and private communication between TON users.

Users had always been able to send messages on the TON blockchain, but these messages were unencrypted and accessible to the public. The new feature allows users to send end-to-end encrypted messages. It ensures that only the intended recipient can access and decipher the content.

TON claims that even in extreme scenarios such as an “Apocalypse” — the failure of traditional messenger servers — users can rely on the decentralized network to maintain its ability to send messages. Encryption also ensures the protection and preservation of users’ messages.

Anatoly Makosov, a core developer at the TON Foundation, explained the importance of the encrypted messaging feature.

“When sending Toncoin, Jettons, or NFTs on TON you have always been able to include a text for the recipient such as ‘for coffee’ or ‘happy birthday,’ thereby personalizing the interaction,” said Makosov. “Now this popular feature […] is available with full encryption.”

TON has set the cost of sending an encrypted message on its blockchain at 0.006 Toncoin. This nominal fee ensures affordability for users while incentivizing the use of the encrypted messaging feature.

According to the network, the recently introduced feature has gained support from various wallets, including MyTonWallet, OpenMask and standard web and desktop wallets compatible with Windows, MacOS and Linux.

TON will incorporate encryption functionality in future updates for TON mobile wallets and the Tonkeeper wallet to ensure a broader range of users can benefit from the messaging feature.

TON’s origin, continuous improvement

TON is a blockchain from code developed by the team behind Telegram, the instant messaging app. Telegram discontinued the project in July 2020 without launching a mainnet. However, developers open-sourced TON’s code, enabling further development by other contributors.

The TON Foundation took charge of continuing the development of the existing network, retaining its current name. The foundation claims that the network offers “superior” scalability, transaction throughput and decentralization compared to other alternatives.

Toncoin currently serves as the native cryptocurrency of the blockchain. As reported by CoinMarketCap, Toncoin now trades at $1.39, with a trading volume exceeding $6.7 million. With a market capitalization of approximately $4.77 billion, Toncoin ranks as the 16th-largest cryptocurrency at the time of writing.

The TON Foundation has also partnered with blockchain data platform Chainalysis. The collaboration claims to leverage Chainalysis’s Crypto Incident Response Service, providing round-the-clock support to combat hacks and unauthorized intrusions.

The TON Foundation has actively engaged developers and builders from the Web3 community.

In April 2022, TON users collectively donated $1 billion to the foundation. This donation, primarily by TON whales, has supported efforts to advance the TON ecosystem.

Continuing its momentum, the TON Foundation launched a $25 million accelerator program in May 2023. The program claims to incentivize app developers to build on the TON network, fostering innovation and growth within the ecosystem.

The foundation’s quarterly report highlighted significant progress in network expansion during the second quarter of 2023. Total accounts increased to 2.88 million, while transaction volume reached 173 million. The data affirmed the growing user base and activity on the TON blockchain.

Meanwhile, the Total Value Locked on the network rose by 2,200 percent in the last quarter. This growth can be attributed to the success of the liquidity mining rewards campaign. The campaign allowed participants to lock their assets in the network, further enhancing its security and overall value.