Key highlights:
- The TON blockchain has enlisted gaming giant Animoca Brands as their new largest validator.
- Known for games like The Sandbox and blockchain collectibles, Animoca’s deep experience in the gaming space will be a huge boost for TON.
- As a validator, Animoca will support projects building on TON and help get hundreds of games and apps in their portfolio in front of Telegram’s 800 million users.
The TON blockchain has secured a major partnership, welcoming Animoca Brands- one of the leading firms in blockchain gaming and digital assets – as its new largest validator. This alliance positions TON for significant growth in bringing mainstream adoption of crypto to reality.
A strategic investment
In a strategic move announced last month, Animoca Brands invested in the TON ecosystem and took up the role of the largest validator on the TON blockchain. This investment was the culmination of extensive research by Animoca into TON’s potential to scale applications and facilitate a smooth transition from Web2 to Web3.
As the largest validator, Animoca will provide funding, research capabilities, and analytics tools to help third-party developers build innovative mini-apps on TON. Justin Hyun, Director of Growth at TON Foundation, called Animoca’s validator role “a pivotal step” that demonstrates alignment with TON’s goal of infusing Web3 into daily experiences for Telegram’s 800 million users.
We’re pleased to announce that we have officially become the largest validator of @ton_blockchain. As projects look to scale, we will assist with the growth of various #gaming and #GameFi projects on TON.
Full details: https://t.co/VwXRPIZ8Gy pic.twitter.com/fJF6a85KEu— Animoca Brands (@animocabrands) November 28, 2023
Leveraging TON Play infrastructure
A key part of the partnership involves Animoca supporting TON Play- an infrastructure that allows games and other projects to launch directly within Telegram. This will enable Animoca’s portfolio of over 400 Web3 games and apps to reach new audiences through Telegram. Game makers can also seamlessly port existing web games to Telegram via TON Play.
Animoca chairman Yat Siu said taking a validator role underscores the company’s belief in TON’s vision of mainstream crypto adoption. With years of experience onboarding new communities to the blockchain space through gaming, Animoca is perfectly positioned to help TON scale.
Image: Animoca Brands
A boost for blockchain gaming
The collaboration bodes well for the explosive growth of blockchain gaming. As the largest TON validator, Animoca will tap into its expertise in the field to incubate promising gaming startups within TON’s ecosystem.
With access to Telegram’s vast network, these games have the potential to achieve mass appeal unlike anything seen before in the crypto gaming sphere. Of course, challenges remain in producing quality titles that resonate with everyday users not just crypto diehards. But if any company can succeed in this massive undertaking, it’s the leader that is Animoca Brands.
With a blockchain powerhouse now validating the network, TON appears well on its way to fulfilling its promise of mainstreaming cryptocurrency. Under Animoca Brands’ guidance, the integration of intuitive, engaging decentralized applications within Telegram could very well serve as the on-ramp that brings the next billion users to the blockchain revolution.
Over the last 7 days, TON has climbed a solid 2.5% to $2.45. Volume has also risen almost 25% week-over-week, signaling growing interest. If Animoca’s other successful ventures are any indication, they know how to expand engaged communities rapidly. More users means more transactions- all positive signs for the price long term.