On Monday July 3rd, the Open Network (TON) announced the release of its new on-chain encrypted messaging feature. This feature enables private messages to be exchanged between TON users.
TON is a blockchain network forked from the code created by Telegram. After Telegram left the project in 2020, the TON Foundation took over and launched the mainnet. The TON blockchain provides greater scalability and transaction throughput than other options in the Web3 ecosystem, while still remaining decentralised.
The blockchain now makes it possible for users to send messages in transactions that are encrypted end-to-end, so only the recipients can read the messages. This provides a way to “personalise interactions”, according to TON core developer Anatoly Makosov. He also suggested that in the event of an apocalypse, TON could be used as a reliable method to communicate privately.
The encrypted messaging feature is available on MyTonWallet, OpenMask, and TON Wallet. It will also be added to the mobile wallet Tonkeeper soon.
This development comes shortly after the TON Foundation launched a $25 million accelerator for emerging projects. Called the TON Accelerator Program, it provides funding, mentorship, and other resources to help projects build in the TON ecosystem.
