Telegram Messenger has introduced a novel rewards system, offering channel owners worldwide the opportunity to earn 50% of the advertising revenue generated on their public channels. Launched on March 31, this initiative enables eligible channel owners with a substantial subscriber base to receive their share of ad revenue in Toncoin (TON), the native cryptocurrency of the Telegram project.
To qualify for participation, public channels must boast a minimum of 1,000 subscribers, ensuring that the rewards system is accessible to a broad spectrum of content creators. The concept was initially disclosed by Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, in February 2024, as part of the Telegram advertising platform's launch aimed at establishing a sustainable revenue stream for channel owners.
Since its announcement, the value of TON has surged by 111%, soaring from $2.51 on February 29 to $5.30 on April 1, reflecting growing investor optimism surrounding Telegram's innovative approach to monetization. With Telegram channels collectively amassing over one trillion views per month, channel owners can freely withdraw their portion of ad revenue, underscoring the platform's commitment to fostering a vibrant creator ecosystem.
As one of the world's top messaging applications by monthly downloads, Telegram's decision to integrate Toncoin as a payment method for advertising underscores its dedication to incentivizing user engagement and fostering a robust ecosystem. Notably, ads are exclusively displayed on Telegram channels, with relevance determined by the nature of the content shared within each channel.
Prior to the introduction of formal revenue streams, channel owners monetized their follower base through methods such as selling paid posts, subscription fees for private channels, and product sales. Justin Hyun, the investment director of the Ton Foundation, highlighted the potential of Telegram's blockchain-based Mini Apps to drive mass adoption of blockchain technology, envisioning a future where 500 million users engage with blockchain through user-friendly applications.
