TON Blockchain 2024: Features & Development Guide

KEYTAKEAWAYS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• KEY TAKEAWAYS
• TON BLOCKCHAIN: THE NEXT GENERATION LAYER-1 SOLUTION FOR MASS ADOPTION
• UNDERSTANDING TON ARCHITECTURE: FROM MASTERCHAIN TO SHARDING TECHNOLOGY
• TON ECOSYSTEM DEEP DIVE: DAPPS, SERVICES & DEVELOPER OPPORTUNITIES
• WEB3 EVOLUTION: HOW TON NETWORK IS RESHAPING THE INTERNET
• BUILDING ON TON: LEVERAGING TELEGRAM’S 800M+ USER BASE
• THE PROMISE OF TON
• DISCLAIMER
• WRITER’S INTRO

CONTENT

Explore TON blockchain’s comprehensive ecosystem: high-speed transactions, dynamic sharding, and Telegram integration. Learn how this layer-1 solution enables Web3 development, DeFi apps, and scalable dApps.

In the past few years, we have seen several purpose-driven, feature-rich blockchains being built to allow for more feature-rich dApps, higher performance, lowered transaction costs while offering a good cybersecurity posture. In this article, we shall be discussing a fairly new, promising blockchain called TON – The Open Network.

As various industry segments open up to blockchain technology, the blockchain infrastructure architects are working on solutions to ease blockchain adoption and impact various industry use cases.

TON – The Open Network for All – is a layer-1 blockchain that was created by Telegram (messaging app) founders and brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov. The TON blockchain was designed to be a fast, scalable, and secure blockchain solution.

We have briefly covered the TON blockchain in our previous article. However, this time we provide a deeper insight.

Key Highlights / Points of Discussion

• Introduction to TON
• TON Architecture
• TON Ecosystem: Apps and Services
• TON and the Future of Internet (sites, proxy, TON storage, etc.)
• Building on TON
• Application of TON

TON BLOCKCHAIN: THE NEXT GENERATION LAYER-1 SOLUTION FOR MASS ADOPTION

TON blockchain is a feature-rich, versatile layer-1 blockchain that aims to simplify and better the blockchain experience. The fundamental elements of the TON ecosystem are the TON blockchain, TON DNS, TON storage, and TON sites. The TON blockchain is the essential protocol that interconnects these elements to complete the TON ecosystem.

With a focused vision for a decentralized internet, TON intends to become the “supercomputer” for all things decentralized in the near future.

UNDERSTANDING TON ARCHITECTURE: FROM MASTERCHAIN TO SHARDING TECHNOLOGY

The TON architecture was designed to achieve cross-chain compatibility, low-latency transaction processing speeds, and a highly scalable infrastructure to provide several decentralized products and services.

TON uses a blockchain scaling technique called Sharding (splitting the blockchain into smaller fragments). TON achieves this by dynamically sharding the primary blockchain into multiple shardchains. Each one of these shardchains can parallelly process transactions locally. Sharding divides the blockchain state into smaller segments, allowing each group of nodes to store and validate only a portion of the data.

Logically, this allows TON to process millions of transactions per second, since the workload is divided among the shardchains.

TON uses the PoS (Proof of Stake) consensus algorithm. To become a validator on the TON blockchain, one needs to stake 300,000 TON coins.

The following are the various chain fragments in the TON architecture:

Masterchain

The primary chain that stores all the network configurations and final state of all the workchains. This main chain contains all the protocol information, current settings, list of active validators, their stakes, active workchains, and associated shardchains. Most importantly, it maintains all the block hashes for all workchains and shardchains, hence enforcing the consensus mechanism.

Workchain

The Masterchain is divided into smaller chains called Workchains, which are purpose-built to run parallel to it. For example, a high-transaction blockchain commerce application can operate on its own Workchain without competing with the broader TON ecosystem. Workchains contribute to the heterogeneous nature of TON, allowing distinct blockchains to function within the ecosystem (cross-chain solutions), provided they adhere to the Masterchain’s protocols and consensus rules.

Shardchain

Shardchains are sub-chains of Workchains, identified by a 60-bit prefix that indicates the specific addresses they contain. Processing control is directed to a particular shard based on the address being accessed.

Validators

Validators provide computing power and staked Toncoin to maintain integrity and security. They validate new blocks and confirm transactions. TON utilizes a decentralized Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism, requiring validators to stake Toncoin, which serves as both a participation criterion and a security measure. Validators play a key role across the entire ecosystem—from the Masterchain to shardchains—validators process transactions, execute smart contracts, and support cross-chain interoperability and governance. Their contributions make TON secure, scalable, and efficient, aligning their interests with the network’s long-term success.

TON ECOSYSTEM DEEP DIVE: DAPPS, SERVICES & DEVELOPER OPPORTUNITIES

The TON ecosystem (https://ton.app) is a rich landscape that contains a catalog of community-driven apps and services. TON.app allows dApp developers to launch their app via this community. Most of the apps can operate either on the web, Android, or iOS.

The catalog includes several key categories:

Wallets

TON has an array of wallets one could use to power their dApps or personal use. These wallets are available based on various operating environments, i.e., browser-based, desktop, hardware, and mobile. These wallets also support various transactional features like buying, selling, exchange connections, staking, NFTs, Jettons, Multi-account, and TON connect.

Exchanges DEX

TON supports decentralized exchange apps that allow you to swap tokens, provide liquidity, and participate in the DeFi (decentralized finance) ecosystem. Users can buy, swap, and sell TON and wTON tokens.

Explorers

Explore transactions on TON Blockchain using specialized exploration tools. Delve into real-time data, transaction histories, and network insights with explorers designed to help you monitor blockchain activity and stay informed.

NFT Services

TON blockchain comes equipped with NFT marketplaces to buy, sell, trade, and manage NFT portfolios.

Additional Services

The ecosystem includes staking platforms where TON users can enhance consensus security, bridges that enable interchain operability and cross-chain asset transfers, and NFT marketplaces for digital art, collectibles, and unique creations by top artists and creators.

Please check the official site for all the services and apps available on the TON ecosystem.

WEB3 EVOLUTION: HOW TON NETWORK IS RESHAPING THE INTERNET

While TON is a well-designed layer-1 blockchain, it has a unique network layer called TON Network. It deeply integrates with the blockchain, TON coin, and TON services. The TON network is its own ecosystem, akin to the blockchain. It is private, decentralized, and secure like TOR (The Onion Router) network or I2P (Invisible Internet Project). Since the project’s inception, the TON nodes have been interacting with each other using the TON network.

The TON network features a decentralized peer-to-peer network without centralized servers, stable operation where offline nodes don’t affect functionality, anonymous operation making it difficult to identify node IP addresses, and encrypted data transmission. The network uses both UDP/IP and TCP/IP internet protocols.

TON Sites and TON DNS

TON network allows for the creation of Web3 sites called TON sites. These sites can be launched via web server that can be hosted on the TON network like any other Web2 site. Just like conventional DNS (Domain name servers), TON DNS is a service that lets users assign easy-to-read names to crypto wallets, smart contracts, and websites. With TON DNS, accessing decentralized services is as simple as visiting a website on the internet.

Using TON Connect, users can cryptographically log into services and applications using the TON wallets. This eliminates the need to remember usernames and passwords. The private key never leaves your device and privacy is never violated.

Conventionally, Web2 website domains are subject to censorship and shutdowns since the DNS and domain registrars are centralized. This is not the case with TON DNS. With a fully decentralized DNS and Web3 infrastructure, websites are secure.

For further information, please visit the site.

BUILDING ON TON: LEVERAGING TELEGRAM’S 800M+ USER BASE

The TON ecosystem provides a dynamic, flexible, and robust environment that fosters creativity, making it an exciting platform for developers to build on. TON leverages the Telegram messaging platform to develop, launch, and monetize applications. With more than 800 million users, TON provides an ideal environment for building, distributing, and operating apps while tapping into a vast user base.

Development opportunities include:

Miniapps

Telegram Mini Apps allow businesses to engage directly with users within Telegram, offering seamless authorization, crypto/fiat payments (via Google Pay and Apple Pay), push notifications, and more. With one-click launch and direct connect with the audience, businesses can propel community growth and acquire more customers.

GameFi

With lightning-fast transaction speeds and impressive throughput, TON is the perfect platform for game developers looking to monetize their projects. Through TON Connect and TON wallets, users enjoy seamless login and secure access.

Memecoins

TON offers a dedicated platform called Memelandia, where users can mine, trade, airdrop, and analyze memecoins. With powerful tools for creating and launching memecoins, TON is fully prepared to lead the charge in the memecoin revolution. For more information please visit the site.

THE PROMISE OF TON

TON blockchain stands out for its exceptional scalability, lightning-fast transaction speeds, and robust security. With seamless integration for developers and users, it supports diverse applications—from gaming to decentralized finance. Its innovative features, including TON Connect and Memelandia, make it a powerful and versatile platform for the future of blockchain technology. Please refer to the official site for information on the future roadmap and upcoming releases.