Telegram Launches Third-Party Verification, NFT Gifting & New Features
Discover Telegram’s latest updates, including third-party account verification, NFT gifting with crypto, and enhanced message search filters.
Telegram’s Innovative Start to the Year
Telegram, the popular messaging app, has kicked off the year with a series of exciting updates, including third-party-powered account verification, new message search filters, and a novel way to transform digital gifts into NFTs. These updates highlight the platform’s commitment to enhancing user safety, functionality, and creative engagement.
Third-Party Account Verification: A Game-Changer for Authenticity
Building on its existing verification program for public figures and organizations, Telegram now allows third-party authorities, such as food quality regulators and educational consortiums, to authenticate accounts. Instead of the traditional blue checkmark, accounts verified by third-party entities will display a unique logo.
“This decentralized approach to verification aims to prevent scams and combat misinformation while setting a new standard for social media safety,” Telegram stated in a blog post.
To earn this verified status, individuals and organizations must undergo a verification process and apply. Verified entities can use Telegram’s Bot API to assign or revoke the verified status, drawing parallels to X’s model of purchasing verification for affiliated accounts. Verified profiles will prominently feature the organization’s logo, adding a layer of transparency and trustworthiness.
Gifting Goes Crypto: Turning Presents into NFTs
Telegram is also venturing further into the world of blockchain by allowing users to turn digital gifts into NFTs. Through the Telegram Stars feature, users can purchase stars in-app or via the Fragment site using a connected TON crypto wallet. These stars can be used to upgrade gifts with custom backgrounds and icons, converting them into tradeable collectibles.
To cover blockchain transaction fees, Telegram charges a fee for these upgrades. Users can trade their NFT gifts on various platforms, offering new opportunities for digital asset monetization. This move aligns with Telegram’s broader adoption of cryptocurrency, which is already utilized for creator monetization and in-app payments for games and mini-apps.
Enhanced Search and New Emoji Reactions
Telegram has introduced additional features to improve user experience, including new message search filters that cater to private chats, group chats, and channels. Moreover, the platform now supports emoji reactions for service messages, such as notifications when a new member joins a group, fostering a more interactive and dynamic user environment.
A Bold Step Forward
Telegram’s latest updates reflect its innovative spirit and user-centric approach. The introduction of third-party verification sets a new benchmark for safety in the social media space, while its integration of NFTs and enhanced chat features underscores its commitment to technological advancement. These updates not only elevate Telegram’s functionality but also position it as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving messaging app landscape.
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