Telegram Launches Gifts Feature, Allows NFT Conversion

• Telegram launches the Gifts feature to allow users to send custom animations to friends.
• The Gifts can be converted into Telegram’s virtual currency, Stars, and even into NFTs.
• With future updates, users can auction & trade these tokenized gifts on third-party platforms.

Telegram has launched a game-changing feature dubbed “Gifts,” which allows users to send custom animations. These animated images can be converted into Telegram’s virtual currency, Stars. Along with the Gifts launch, CEO Pavel Durov has hinted at a future update that allows users to convert these Gifts into non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The social media platform published a post on October 5 revealing the launch of Gifts. The new feature allows users to celebrate special functions and acknowledge friends’ achievements by sending them personalized gifts. The post read, “Telegram users can now send each other gifts for Telegram Stars—celebrating holidays and congratulating contacts with animated artwork and custom messages.”

Telegram launched its in-app currency, ‘Telegram Stars,’ or simply Stars, in June 2024. Community members could use the digital currency to purchase digital goods and services within the app. The new Gifts feature allows users to sell customized images for Stars.

Following the introduction of the Gifts feature, Durov shared a message via his Telegram account. His post shed light on the platform’s upcoming feature that enables the conversion of the Gifts into NFTs. In addition, users could auction and trade these tokenized gifts on third-party platforms, utilizing blockchain technology. He stated, 

Some gifts are in limited supply. Later this year we’ll introduce the ability to convert these limited-edition gifts into TON-based NFTs. Users will then be able to auction and trade these tokenized gifts outside Telegram, with ownership recorded on the blockchain.

Meanwhile, the popular Telegram-based Hamster Kombat also plans to launch a new web3 gaming platform, integrating NFTs as gaming assets. In addition, the platform announced its plans to introduce an NFT token marketplace in 2025.