Key Points:
- Telegram’s digital collectibles generated $40M+ in sales
- Over 6M unique traders and 157K wallets highlight strong adoption of Telegram gifts.
- Telegram gifts’ 21-day holding period bridges messaging fun with Non-fungible token (NFT) ownership.
Luca Netz, CEO of Pudgy Penguins, one of the most reputable Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) brands, said:
What NFTs did for the ETH and memecoins did for SOL, telegram stickers will do for TON (The Open Network)
What is Telegram Gifts & Stickers?
Telegram (TON) gifts are special digital stickers that can be converted into Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) after 21 days, while regular stickers are just fun images used in chats. The 21-day rule lets users enjoy gifts as stickers before converting them into NFTs, to test out engagement.
Users send Telegram gifts during chats to show appreciation, celebrate a moment, or stand out from regular stickers. Gifts are purchased, limited-edition, and can later be converted into NFTs, adding a layer of exclusivity and potential value.
On February 14, 2025, Telegram’s Valentine’s Day gifts generated over $5 million in just a few hours. Released by CEO Pavel Durov, the nine digital collections, including Hearts, Loot Bags, and Rings, sold out rapidly, with some items converted into NFTs.
On-Chain Data
Telegram has generated over $34 million in primary sales from collectible gifts and more than $7 million from stickers, highlighting the growing popularity of digital assets on the platform. The dashboard on Dune was developed by Web3 researcher tonundrwrld.
The total NFT sales volume on TON has surpassed $280 million, reflecting strong activity and adoption of the blockchain’s NFT market.
TON has over 6 million unique NFT traders and more than 157,749 unique wallets have traded Telegram gifts. Notably, 54.2% of NFT wallets were created in 2025, reflecting a surge in new user adoption and activity this year.
TON generated $1.2 million in sales on May 25th, ranking as the second-highest chain in terms of NFT trade volume that day. Additionally, TON accounted for 20% of the total NFT market share, underscoring its significant presence in the digital collectibles space.
Around 91.39% of Telegram gift trading volume occurred off-chain, which reflects a preference for ease of use and seamless integration within the Telegram ecosystem. Further hints at the long-term potential and mainstream appeal of Telegram’s digital collectibles, as it balances blockchain features with user-friendly interfaces.
On May 25th, 2025, user balances (total deposits – total withdrawals) on marketplaces saw the largest daily change since the start of the year, reflecting a surge in user demand to buy from the NFT marketplace.
Conclusion
Telegram’s 21-day holding period lets users enjoy gifts as stickers and later upgrade them to NFTs on TON. This approach has boosted engagement, attracting over 6 million NFT traders and generating more than $280 million in sales.
