Pavel Durov, CEO of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has declared that 2024 will go down in history as the year when hundreds of millions of people become familiar with blockchain. In a recent post on his Telegram channel, Durov outlined a series of product launches and policy updates designed to accelerate mainstream adoption of decentralized technologies while safeguarding new entrants from scams.
Blockchain Mass Adoption: The 2024 Turning Point
Durov emphasized that after years of experimental growth, blockchain technology is finally reaching a critical mass of users. “We’re proud that Telegram is at the epicenter of this societal transformation,” he wrote. He reiterated Telegram’s long-standing commitment to building decentralized tools, including non-custodial wallets and decentralized exchanges, which he first outlined in November 2022. These infrastructure components aim to enable secure, intermediary-free cryptocurrency transactions for millions of users.
New Features: Mini App Store and Web3 Browser
According to Durov, Telegram will launch a mini app store and an in-app browser with support for Web3 pages this month. The mini app store will allow developers to publish small applications—ranging from games and social tools to financial services—directly within Telegram, leveraging its vast user base. The Web3 browser will enable users to access decentralized applications (DApps) without leaving the Telegram interface, eliminating the friction of switching between separate wallets or browsers. This integration positions Telegram as a super-app gateway to the Web3 ecosystem.
Strengthened Scam Protection: Registration Details and Decentralized Verification
Scams remain a significant barrier to crypto adoption. To address this, Telegram will soon display the month of registration and principal country for public accounts, similar to Instagram’s profile transparency features. Additionally, organizations will be able to use their mini apps to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for third-party verification. These measures are designed to help users quickly identify suspicious new accounts and verify the authenticity of information sources, thereby reducing fraud risks for those entering the crypto space.
User Milestone: Approaching One Billion Monthly Active Users
On Monday, Durov announced that Telegram’s monthly active users have reached 950 million, up from 900 million in the spring. He expects the platform to surpass one billion users in the near future. This massive and growing user base provides a fertile ground for blockchain applications, as Telegram seeks to convert social engagement into Web3 adoption momentum. With the mini app store and Web3 browser, the company aims to replicate the ecosystem success of WeChat’s mini programs while adding a decentralized layer.
Durov has long argued that the blockchain industry’s true mission is to empower individuals and eliminate centralized intermediaries. The latest announcements signal Telegram’s deepening commitment to becoming not just a messaging app, but a full-fledged decentralized platform for the next billion crypto users.