Starting June 12, the messaging app Telegram will introduce an in-app currency, Telegram Stars, for purchasing digital goods and services within bots and mini-applications. The company has communicated this update to developers.
This initiative follows a notification from Apple regarding a breach of App Store policies, which prohibit internal payments from customers, including cryptocurrencies. Non-compliance could result in the removal of bots and mini-apps.
Users will be able to purchase the new currency via the App Store or Google Play and use it for digital transactions. Payments for physical goods and services remain unchanged.
Developers will have the option to withdraw Telegram Stars at any time using the TON blockchain.
Bot owners have reacted negatively to the news. They highlighted Apple’s 30% commission on each payment.
“It turns out that Telegram earns dollars from users who buy Telegram Stars, and then gives developers and all the bot owners tokens in the form of the unstable TON,” wrote the author of the channel “Marzaganoff Speaks.”
“Durov’s Code” suggested that the previous method of purchasing digital goods and services might remain available in app versions not downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Previously, Telegram founder Pavel Durov reported Apple’s demand to restrict content access for Ukrainian users on iOS.
Back in April, Durov announced at the Token2049 conference the ability to purchase digital goods with cryptocurrency in Telegram, promising sellers 70% of the revenue. The messenger also introduced the option to send tips in digital assets to content creators.