The TON (The Open Network) blockchain has emerged as one of the most dynamic ecosystems in the Web3 space, fueled by its deep integration with Telegram and a strategic push toward mass adoption. In recent months, TON has not only seen significant growth in its network activity but also attracted widespread attention from developers, investors, and everyday users. With over 700 decentralized applications (dApps) now live on the network — up from under 600 in late 2023 — the ecosystem is undergoing a transformative phase.
This rapid expansion is reflected not just in numbers, but in real-world utility. From social apps to gaming platforms and DeFi protocols, TON is carving out a unique niche by focusing on user-friendly, high-performance dApps that align with Telegram’s massive global user base. The blockchain’s TVL (Total Value Locked) has surged past $200 million as of May 2025, jumping from just $9.56 million in November 2023, placing it firmly among the top 30 blockchains globally.
👉 Discover how TON's growth is shaping the future of Web3 on Telegram.
Why TON Stands Out: A Non-Financial First Approach
Unlike many other public blockchains that prioritize financialization — such as yield farming, staking derivatives, or complex lending markets — TON was designed with a different vision. Its core focus lies in social interaction, gaming, and digital payments, making it uniquely suited for seamless integration within Telegram’s 800+ million-user ecosystem.
This doesn’t mean TON lacks financial innovation. On the contrary, the chain has recently embraced more DeFi-centric features, including liquidity mining programs, cross-chain bridges, and native stablecoin support. However, these developments serve a broader goal: to enhance usability and incentivize participation in non-financial dApps through reward mechanisms like airdrops and earn campaigns.
One major technical hurdle — TON’s asynchronous architecture limiting DeFi composability — has largely been addressed. Combined with the launch of official liquidity incentives and the Hack-a-TON developer competition, the foundation is now solid for sustainable ecosystem growth.
Core Projects Powering the TON Ecosystem
As TON evolves, several key projects have risen to prominence, each contributing to different layers of the stack — from infrastructure and wallets to decentralized exchanges and launchpads.
TONup – The Leading Launchpad
As the first IDO platform on TON, TONup enjoys strong backing from the TON Foundation, TONcoin.Fund, and ForesightX. Beyond standard token sale offerings, it introduces a novel Community Protection Plan (CPP), which safeguards early participants from unfair allocations and price manipulation — a growing concern in the launchpad space.
Ston.fi – Decentralized Exchange with Low Fees
Ston.fi operates as a primary DEX on TON, emphasizing low transaction fees and minimal slippage. While its functionality mirrors typical automated market makers (AMMs), its tight integration with Telegram mini-apps gives it an edge in accessibility. Its native token, STON, plays a role in governance and fee discounts.
@wallet – Seamless In-App Wallet Experience
Integrated directly into Telegram via a bot (@wallet), this custodial wallet allows users to send and receive assets without leaving their chats. Developed by the TOP team, it offers frictionless onboarding for newcomers — a critical component for mainstream Web3 adoption.
TON Space – Non-Custodial Wallet Inside Telegram
Accessible within the @wallet interface (via beta), TON Space functions like a MetaMask-style non-custodial wallet embedded in Telegram. It supports NFT storage, dApp interactions, and transactions across multiple platforms, including web and mobile mini-apps.
Tonkeeper – Trusted Standalone Wallet
Launched before TON Space, Tonkeeper remains one of the most reliable non-custodial wallets for TON users. Independent of Telegram, it offers robust security features and smooth integration with third-party services, making it ideal for advanced users and developers.
TonStake – High-Yield Staking Solution
Positioned as TON’s largest staking pool, TonStake delivers an annual yield of approximately 8.51%, charging a 10% service fee. With over $4.2 million in staked assets as of early 2025, it also provides APIs for other platforms to integrate staking functionality seamlessly.
Orbit Bridge – Enabling Cross-Chain Liquidity
Launched in December 2024, Orbit Bridge now supports asset transfers between TON and major chains like Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, and Klaytn. It enables cross-chain movement of popular tokens such as USDT, USDC, and MATIC. Furthermore, Orbit Bridge is developing Megaton Finance, an AMM-based DEX built by Ozys, set to go live in early 2025.
👉 Explore how cross-chain tools are expanding access to TON-based opportunities.
Promising Airdrop Opportunities on TON
Airdrops have become a central driver of user engagement across the TON ecosystem. Many projects use token distributions to bootstrap communities and reward early adopters.
Catizen – Play-to-Earn Gaming with Generous Rewards
This cat-themed GameFi project has drawn millions of players thanks to its engaging mechanics and promise of substantial rewards. With 35% of its token supply allocated to ecosystem incentives and airdrops, Catizen encourages long-term participation. Users earn points based on gameplay performance and rankings. Since many tasks are free to complete, it's a low-cost way to position oneself for potential future rewards.
Moons – Simple Social Engagement Model
Moons offers one of the easiest entry points into TON’s airdrop scene. By simply following social media accounts and engaging in Telegram group discussions, users can accumulate eligibility for upcoming token drops. Ideal for casual users who enjoy community interaction.
EVAA – Lending Protocol with Passive Income + XP System
As TON’s leading lending protocol, EVAA doesn’t offer traditional airdrops but instead rewards users through interest-bearing deposits and a points system called EVAAXP. These points may translate into future token claims, offering a more sustainable path to rewards while contributing liquidity to the ecosystem.
TON Raffles – Officially Supported Reward Platform
Backed by the TON Foundation, this project runs simple campaigns where users post on X (formerly Twitter) and invite friends to earn points. With no cost to participate and official sponsorship, it represents one of the safest ways to qualify for future token distributions.
Official TON Foundation Airdrop Campaigns
The TON Foundation has launched several large-scale incentive programs totaling millions of dollars in rewards:
- 5 million TON tokens are reserved for users who deposit USDT into the built-in Earn feature of the Toncoin Wallet. Currently, deposits earn a promotional 50% annualized return, significantly boosting user participation.
- Another 5 million TON will be distributed to liquidity providers on major DEXs: STON.fi and DeDust, specifically for USDT/TON pairs.
- 1.2 million TON is allocated to users who purchase USDT or other supported assets through centralized exchange partners and withdraw them onto the TON blockchain.
- Notably, all withdrawals to TON will be fee-free until June 30, 2025, lowering barriers to entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes TON different from other blockchains?
A: TON is uniquely integrated with Telegram, focusing on social apps, gaming, and payments rather than pure financialization. This gives it direct access to hundreds of millions of potential users.
Q: Is it too late to earn TON airdrops?
A: No — many campaigns are still active, especially those tied to wallet usage, liquidity provision, or social engagement. Early participation increases your chances.
Q: Do I need to spend money to qualify for rewards?
A: Not necessarily. Several projects like Moons and TON Raffles allow free participation through social tasks or basic interactions.
Q: Which wallet should I use on TON?
A: For beginners, @wallet offers simplicity. For full control, use Tonkeeper or enable TON Space within Telegram.
Q: How does staking work on TON?
A: Platforms like TonStake allow you to delegate your TON tokens and earn yields around 8.5%, with automatic reward distribution.
Q: Are there risks involved in participating?
A: While official campaigns are generally safe, always verify URLs and avoid sharing private keys. Use trusted wallets and double-check links before interacting.
👉 Start exploring verified projects and maximize your participation in the TON ecosystem today.