TON blockchain introduces an on-chain encrypted messaging feature

Key takeaways

TON releases an on-chain messaging feature

The Open Network (TON) announced the release of its on-chain encrypted messaging feature on Monday, July 3rd.

In a tweet from the network’s developer, TON Foundation, the new feature makes it possible for private messages to be sent between TON users.

TON Foundation Introduces Encrypted Transaction Messages👇💎https://t.co/HXKtk0gxKC pic.twitter.com/0z1z4E5ku1

— TON 💎 (@ton_blockchain) July 3, 2023

TON is the blockchain network forked from the code created by the social media giant Telegram. Telegram left the project in 2020, and the TON Foundation took over prior to the mainnet launch. 

According to the TON Foundation, the TON blockchain provides greater scalability and transaction throughput than other options in the Web3 ecosystem. The foundation also added that TON remains a decentralised blockchain. 

The blockchain makes it possible for users to send messages in transactions. However, the messages were previously completely public. The new on-chain encrypted feature now makes it possible for users to encrypt their messages end-to-end, enabling only the recipients to read the messages. 

While commenting on this latest cryptocurrency news, TON core developer Anatoly Makosov, stated that the new feature allows for the “personalization” of transactions. Makosov said;

“When sending Toncoin, Jettons, or NFTs on TON you have always been able to include a text for the recipient such as ‘for coffee’ or ‘happy birthday,’ thereby personalising the interaction. Now this popular feature […] is available with full encryption.”

TON could serve as a reliable method to communicate privately

Makosov pointed out that if an apocalypse occurs that renders the traditional messenger servers useless, TON could serve as a reliable and safeguarded method to communicate privately. 

Web3 users enjoy encrypted messages on various retail wallet apps, including MyTonWallet, OpenMask and TON Wallet. The TON Foundation said the feature would be added mobile wallet Tonkeeper soon. 

This latest development comes a few weeks after the TON Foundation launched a $25 million accelerator for emerging projects. The program, called the TON Accelerator Program, will provide funding, mentorship, and other resources to help projects build in the TON ecosystem.