On June 25, the TON Community launched Adsgram, a new traffic monetization tool on Telegram. This platform allows developers to earn Toncoin (TON) by integrating ads into their mini-apps or bots. Adsgram stands out from the Telegram Ads platform launched in March, providing developers with a dedicated system to monetize their applications.

• Adsgram is a new third-party platform launched by the TON Community for monetizing mini-apps on Telegram.

• It offers video ads, static banners, and channel subscriptions with CPM and other payment models. Mini-app developers can earn up to $16 CPM in Toncoin.

• Adsgram primarily targets countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Germany, as well as tier-1 exchanges and TON-based services.

Adsgram supports various ad formats, including 15-second video ads, static banners, and soon-to-be-released channel subscriptions. The platform employs standard ad payment models like cost per thousand impressions (CPM) and tracks essential metrics such as click-through rate, conversions, and fill rate.

According to Adsgram’s official presentation, the platform offers CPM rates ranging from 0.5 TON ($3.8) to 2 TON ($16), based on the audience. The platform has already amassed up to 8 million impressions per day as of May 2024, featuring mini-apps like Gamee and Fonton Fantasy Football. Adsgram’s advertisers include tier-1 exchanges, TON-based games, and gambling services.

Adsgram co-founder Vadim Sterlin emphasized the platform's role in solving monetization challenges in the GameFi sector on Telegram. Sterlin, who founded Fantongamebot, highlighted the difficulties in monetizing games through direct ad sales. Adsgram, supported by a $50,000 grant from the TON Foundation, launched its first ads through an alpha test on Fanton Fantasy Football in early April.

“As a founder of a major game in the Telegram ecosystem — Fantongamebot — I faced a big challenge monetising our game,” Sterlin wrote on the Adsgram channel in February. By then, there was no way for publishers to earn money on advertising rather than direct ads sales, he noted according to a report on Cointelegraph.

TON DeFi TVL | Source: DefiLlama 

Adsgram’s launch coincides with a significant surge in the TON ecosystem. The total value locked (TVL) on various TON projects has grown by 4,500% in 2024, with Toncoin hitting new highs, peaking at $8.17 on June 14. Toncoin's year-to-date returns exceeded 200%, outpacing market giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Toncoin’s TVL increased from 5.94 million TON to 87.47 million TON, a 1,372% rise. This growth is mirrored in Toncoin’s transfer volume, oscillating between $5 billion and $10 billion throughout June, achieving around 10% of Bitcoin’s transfer volume capacity. The number of Toncoin holders surged to 32 million in June, a tenfold increase from the previous year, indicating a growing demand driven by its utility in DeFi activities.

Read more: Top dApps in The Open Network (TON) Ecosystem

The Open Network team bolstered TON token demand through various funding and incentive programs. In March, they allocated 30 million TON tokens for community rewards, covering token mining, airdrops, developer support, and liquidity pools. The TONcoin Fund secured up to $250 million from industry players, attracting more developers to the TON blockchain.

TON/USDT price chart | Source: KuCoin 

Notcoin, a play-to-earn game on Telegram, further propelled Toncoin’s demand. By early 2024, the game attracted over 35 million players. The NOT token, launched on major exchanges, saw its price surge 600% within 24 hours, reaching a market cap of $715.7 million. Notcoin’s integration within the TON ecosystem created a direct link between the two tokens, enhancing Toncoin’s utility and demand.

Upcoming games following in Notcoin’s footsteps include Hamster Kombat, TapSwap, Blum, Catizen, and Gemz. For instance, Hamster Kombat has over 100 million players and is expected to launch its native token HMSTR via an airdrop campaign in July 2024. 

TON OI-Weightened Funding Rate | Source: CoinGlass 

Toncoin’s price surge coincides with a rise in open interest in the futures market, reaching over $263 million by June 21. Despite negative funding rates, indicating a significant portion of the market betting on a price decline, Toncoin’s spot price continued to rise. This scenario led to a short squeeze, driving further price increases.

Adsgram's launch marks a significant milestone in the TON ecosystem, offering developers a new way to monetize their mini-apps on Telegram. With diverse ad formats, robust payment models, and substantial earnings potential, Adsgram is set to revolutionize traffic monetization. Coupled with the booming TON ecosystem and strategic funding initiatives, Adsgram promises to enhance the financial dynamics of Telegram’s GameFi sector and beyond.