Telegram launches in-app digital payments system called ‘Stars’

Telegram has introduced a new payment system called “Stars” that allows users to make in-app purchases for digital goods and services. With Stars, people can pay for products like e-books and online courses directly through the Telegram platform on both Apple and Android devices. This move is in line with Apple and Google’s policies on selling digital goods, and Telegram even subsidizes ads purchased with Stars to alleviate the 30% commission charged by Apple and Google. The platform has also experienced a surge in new apps, such as the tap-to-earn game Notcoin and the TON blockchain-based game Hamster Kombat, which have garnered millions of users. Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, plans to expand features and functionality for Telegram Stars in the future, including introducing incentives for content creators. In addition, the price of TON has seen a significant increase since January, with a 4.7% rise on the day of writing.