Pavel Durov Announces Launch of Telegram Stars

Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced the launch of the messenger ecosystem’s internal currency.

“Today is a big day, we are launching Telegram Stars — a way to pay for digital services in mini-apps,” he noted.

According to Durov, “unlike old-school applications,” mini-apps like Notcoin do not require installation and can quickly expand their user base thanks to the “social nature” of the popular messenger.

“With Telegram Stars, mini-apps can accept payments for digital services using the simplest payment methods — in-app purchases on Android and iOS,” he emphasized.

Developers can withdraw their Stars through the Fragment platform using TON. They also have the option to use the currency for additional promotion of their apps in Telegram on preferential terms.

“Apple and Google charge a 30% commission when users purchase Stars. But Telegram will subsidize advertising bought with Telegram Stars. Thus, if developers reinvest Stars in promoting their app, the total commission will be almost 0%! As a result, launching apps on Telegram becomes economically more advantageous than creating traditional mobile applications,” Durov shared his thoughts.

Developers highlighted that future updates will add additional functionality to Stars — for example, gifts for content creators. 

The ability to purchase digital goods with cryptocurrency in Telegram was announced by Durov in April during the Token2049 conference. He promised sellers 70% of the revenue. The messenger also introduced the ability to send tips in digital assets to content creators.

Earlier, the founder of Telegram revealed that the 1 billion NOT gifted to him two weeks ago had quadrupled in value, from $6 million to $24 million.