Guide to Telegram's Mini Apps Platform (and a Wishlist for DAOs)

Recently, we saw messaging superapps LINE and Kakao join forces to launch a layer 1 mainnet called Kaia. The trend started picking up steam last year in 2023 when Telegram launched its Mini Apps platform. Mini Apps leverages Telegram's massive user base — purportedly, 800 million worldwide — to accelerate the adoption of blockchain-based services and decentralised applications (dApps). It seeks to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3 and ease mainstream audiences into the world of Web3 and crypto.

The seamless integration of crypto wallets, the potential for in-app token economies, and the focus on community building are exciting prospects. Users can conveniently access and engage in Web3 activities directly on the messaging platform on which they're already active.

Telegram's Web3 experience is powered by TON as the underlying blockchain infrastructure, in similar fashion as how today's top decentralised platforms (i.e. Uniswap, OpenSea, MakerDAO, Curve Finance) are powered by Ethereum.

This development is also proving particularly beneficial in decentralised space; it's a fresh incubation ground for developers to deploy innovative dApps and tools, and for existing decentralised products to integrate into the Telegram ecosystem.

Benefits of Mini Apps on Telegram

Telegram's introduction of mini apps is transforming the platform, bringing a new wave of Web3 innovations to its already robust ecosystem. By integrating these apps, Telegram has positioned itself as more than just a messaging app — it is now a hub for diverse Web3 activities.

Mini apps offer users access to a variety of services directly within Telegram, eliminating the need for third-party applications. This convenience, coupled with Telegram’s already strong security protocols, makes mini apps an attractive option for Web3 developers and users alike. Whether it's DeFi tools, NFT marketplaces, or voting systems for DAOs, mini apps are being used in numerous ways to enhance the Web3 experience.

Key benefits of Telegram Mini Apps:

• Enhanced privacy and security: Telegram's focus on data security and regulatory compliance creates a secure environment for user interactions and transactions
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• Scalability and mass adoption: The platform's ability to handle high transaction volumes and its large user base make it conducive to widespread adoption of Web3 applications
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• Web3-supported payment gateways: The integration of various payment gateways, including cryptocurrencies, facilitates seamless and secure transactions within the ecosystem. It is also possible for users to link their Web3 wallets and access funds for transactions. For instance, Portkey, an account abstraction Web3 wallet built on aelf, is fully Telegram-compatible and is uniquely suited for a smooth transition from Web2 to Web3.
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• Community engagement: Mini Apps provide tools for fostering community interaction and engagement, including badges, leaderboards, and rewards
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• No additional downloads: These Web3 applications operate within the Telegram environment and function like standard mobile apps, but with the added benefit of not requiring any additional downloads or installations

What's Hot on Telegram Mini Apps

In recent times, these are some of the dApps on the platform that have gained significant traction.

• Fanton: This fantasy soccer game boasted 55,000 active monthly users at its launch. It showcases the potential of Mini Apps for gaming and interactive experiences.
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• Other games: Other games like Hero Blaze: Three Kingdoms, Tap Fantasy, Egg Fight Club, and Growing, indicating a growing interest in blockchain-based gaming on the platform
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• DeFi dApps: While still in the early stages, DeFi projects like Bitget, Button Wallet, TON Swap, and 1inch Network are establishing their presence on Telegram Mini Apps, highlighting the platform's potential for DeFi

There is also TON Play platform, which provides a toolkit for game developers to easily publish web-based games as Telegram Mini Apps.

What We Wish to See From DAOS on Telegram Mini Apps

As decentralised governance becomes more vital in the Web3 space, Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) are emerging as key tools for community-led decision-making.

Telegram's main blockchain partner, TON, offers a DAO project called DAOTON, a no-code DAO platform designed to simplify the creation, management, and interaction with DAOs directly within the Telegram interface.

However, as of right now, the landscape of DAOs on Telegram is only developmental at best. It remains to be seen if more of such 'DAOTONs' will emerge. A few other DAO tools available on Telegram’s Mini Apps, such as Aragon and DAOstack, present limitations that hinder their broader adoption. While these dApps enable basic functions like voting and proposal submissions, they often fall short in offering more advanced governance features such as seamless smart contract integration or automated on-chain execution.

This creates challenges for DAOs that require more complex decision-making processes or efficient fund management. Telegram's potential to serve as a hub for decentralised communities is evident, but for DAOs to truly thrive on the platform, more sophisticated Web3 tools are needed—ones that empower users with greater functionality and a more intuitive experience.

For DAOs on Telegram Mini Apps to reach full potential, these are some things we wish could be accelerated:

• Layman-level onboarding and education: The current landscape of DAO tools on Telegram can be complex for newcomers. Improved onboarding processes and educational resources within Mini Apps could make DAOs more accessible to a wider audience. This could include interactive tutorials, simplified explanations of DAO concepts, and guided walkthroughs for participating in governance processes.
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• Seamless integration of DAO functionality: While some Mini Apps offer community management tools that align with DAO principles, a deeper integration of core DAO functionalities would be beneficial. This could involve features like on-chain voting directly within Telegram, transparent treasury management dashboards, and automated proposal execution based on community decisions.
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• Tokenisation and incentivisation: The integration of token economies within DAOs on Telegram could further incentivise participation and contribution. Mini Apps could enable the creation and management of DAO tokens, allowing for rewards, reputation systems, and other mechanisms to encourage active involvement.
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• Cross-platform collaboration: As DAOs often operate across multiple platforms and tools, enabling seamless collaboration between Telegram Mini Apps and other Web3 platforms would be valuable. This could involve integrating with popular DAO tools, opening cross-platform communication, and facilitating the sharing of data and resources.
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• Enhanced security and privacy: Considering the massive number of users on Telegram, DAOs require robust measures to protect sensitive information and assets. Implementing advanced security features like multi-sig wallets, role-based access controls, and audit trails within Mini Apps would enhance trust and confidence in the platform's DAO ecosystem.

TMRWDAO: An Innovative DAO Solution Built on the aelf Ecosystem

Tomorrow DAO (TMRWDAO), part of aelf's ecosystem, is designed to promote decentralised governance with its transparent and secure framework. It provides robust tools for decentralised organisations, including features like secure voting mechanisms, multi-signature wallet support, and advanced analytics. Similar to DAOTON, it presents a no-code platform for users to better manage and interact with DAOs.

These features help organisations streamline their decision-making processes, ensuring community-driven governance with maximum transparency. With TMRWDAO’s user-friendly interface and seamless integration with blockchain technologies, it stands out as a comprehensive DAO tool for both new and established decentralised organisations.

While TMRWDAO is not yet part of Telegram’s Mini App ecosystem, the TMRWDAO team has introduced Votigram, a Telegram bot designed for quick and efficient governance. Votigram allows users to engage in voting processes directly from their Telegram app, offering real-time participation in decision-making, while letting DAO users earn rewards with each vote.

This innovation could potentially extend DAOs' standing to a wider audience, seeing how TMRWDAO demonstrated that DAO tools can evolve to meet users where they are — directly within messaging apps.

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*Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other form of professional advice. TMRWDAO makes no guarantees or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information on this blog. You should not make any investment decisions based solely on the information provided on this blog. You should always consult with a qualified financial or legal advisor before making any investment decisions.

About Tomorrow DAO

Tomorrow DAO (TMRWDAO) is an advanced decentralised governance platform built on the aelf blockchain, a high-performance Layer 1 network. Launched in 2024, TMRWDAO leverages cutting-edge AI technologies and intuitive no-code interfaces to empower communities in establishing and managing decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) with unparalleled efficiency. Committed to revolutionising governance, TMRWDAO stands at the forefront of the movement towards a more transparent, inclusive, and democratically governed digital future.

For more information about Tomorrow DAO, please visit: https://tmrwdao.com

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