Telegram continues its Web3 transition, thanks to phone numbers hosted on the TON blockchain. It is now possible to register on the application without a SIM card
Telegram launches with numbers stored on the blockchain
Last month, Telegram brought its blockchain ambitions back into focus, allowing its users to register their names on The Open Network (TON). The popular instant messaging app is now pushing further in this direction, allowing the registration of new accounts without a SIM card.
To enable this, a phone number must be acquired, registered on the same TON blockchain, founded in 2018 by Telegram, and now overseen by the TON Foundation.
While the app already allowed its users to have control over who could see their phone number or not, this is an additional layer of privacy added. It is now no longer necessary to give your number to Telegram to use its services.
Auctioning numbers on Fragment
To acquire a Telegram number registered on the TON blockchain, the operation is similar to the usernames, it goes through an auction system on the Fragment platform. The first current auctions will end on December 13, although it is also possible to buy numbers directly from other sellers by selecting the “On sale” category rather than “On auction” :
Phone number auctions on Fragment
To date, it does not appear to be possible to create your own custom number through this process. The prices of each issue offered for sale vary greatly. At the time of writing, they range from a few tens of dollars for single numbers to almost $64,000 for the highest bid. The highest bid is for the number “+888 8 888”.
All transactions are payable in TON tokens, and it will be necessary to use a wallet dedicated to this ecosystem, such as the non-custodial wallet Tonkeeper.
Furthermore, it should be noted that these numbers can only be used for the Telegram application. Indeed, it will not be possible to use them to make calls or send SMS via a traditional telephone network, due to the absence of a SIM card.
