The Open Network (TON) gained traction in 2024 and is among the most widely used blockchains worldwide. TON non-fungible tokens (NFTs) include unique items like Telegram usernames, anonymous numbers, and gifts.
Let’s explore this topic closely.
What is a TON marketplace
All NFT marketplaces are storefronts built on a blockchain, where users can search, buy, and sell non-fungible tokens. People come here to find their next masterpiece, search for something unique, or just earn on price fluctuations.
However, before diving into NFT marketplaces and TON peculiarities, let’s review the NFT concept shortly.
What is an NFT
A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique digital asset stored on a blockchain. Unlike fungible tokens, each NFT has a distinct cryptographic identifier and cannot be exchanged with other NFTs. This identifier can be connected to various objects, such as a picture, game asset, music file, ticket, or real-world ownership document.
Source: Bloomberg Law
The process of NFT creation is called minting. To complete it, a creator signs a transaction that outlines the token’s details, so they become recorded to the blockchain. It triggers a smart contract that creates the token and assigns the ownership to the creator’s wallet. Developers can also add custom smart contracts to the NFT.
Read more about NFT creation in GetBlock’s detailed guide.
All programmable blockchains can be used for NFT creation. Even non-programmable ones, such as Bitcoin and Litecoin, have added specialized features to mint them. TON is a good choice due to its high speed, low costs, and Telegram integration. The last point means that every TON dApp and NFT collection can be accessed and managed via Telegram bots, which greatly increases their adoption.
Due to their universality and uniqueness, NFTs have become an important part of the crypto market. Let’s summarize the key characteristics of non-fungible tokens.
- Uniqueness: Each NFT has a distinct on-chain identifier, different from other tokens.
- Cryptographic verification: NFT’s origin and ownership can be transparently tracked.
- Transferability: NFTs can be easily transferred between users or wrapped on other chains.
- Representation: NFTs represent digital art, collectibles, in-game items, event tickets, and real-world assets.
Usually, NFTs aren’t minted separately but combined into collections of related tokens. Each collection usually represents a single idea or serves a specific purpose. TON Punks is an example of a successful TON NFT collection.
Features of a TON NFT marketplace
For any good NFT marketplace, the next features should be present. Shortly, we’ll specify how TON marketplaces stand out compared to others.
- Storefront for NFT tracking includes an appealing and accessible interface showcasing NFTs with essential information like bids, previews, owners, and price history.
- User profiles with wallet integration, customizable personal information, and transaction history make the marketplace much more convenient.
- Advanced search is crucial for efficient NFT surfing and includes options to search, sort, and filter NFTs by categories such as price, time added, trading volume, and rarity.
- The listing interface is a page where users can create and manage their NFTs by submitting files with details like titles, tags, and royalties.
- The bidding functionality allows users to place and monitor bids on NFTs, which enables dynamic pricing.
As for TON, specific features include Telegram integration and the focus on unique Telegram collectibles, such as gifts, usernames, and NFT numbers. The messenger has a toolkit for bot creation, where devs can build the whole application’s front end. It’s much cheaper compared to web or mobile app creation, and can also be promoted to Telegram’s large audience.
Safety concerns
Implementing well-audited smart contracts is crucial to secure wallet connections and NFT transactions. They automate transactions and eliminate the need for intermediaries, which is their crucial advantage.
However, regular audits by security experts are needed to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities in smart contract code. All devs are humans, and no checks can 100% safeguard from vulnerabilities. If one is present, it may be identified and used by hackers to disrupt the service operations, sooner or later.
In addition, there are standard safety-related features for a service like the NFT marketplace.
- Secure wallet integration and partnership with reputable TON wallet providers
- Robust user authentication, such as 2FA, biometrics, and hardware tokens
- Strong data encryption and privacy practices with regular security audits
- Transparent operations, docs, and open communication with developers
- Thriving community where everyone can ask for help when needed
Last but not least, remember that NFTs are inherently risky. Their value is almost 100% subjective and can fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably.
Best NFT marketplace on TON
As TON is a young network that became widely used in 2023–2024, there are fewer NFT platforms compared to chains like Ethereum or Solana. We’ve selected four active platforms with different focuses.
Remember—you can always start building your own TON marketplace with our TON nodes!
Let’s look at them closer.
Getgems
It’s the largest and the most active NFT platform on TON, where users can find different collectibles. Here, users can surf different collections, art pieces, and Telegram gifts. Specific Telegram identity collectibles, usernames and anonymous numbers, can also be traded there. Each item has a detailed description and price analytics.
In addition, it has a Pearls section, where users can drop their NFT collection or subscribe to the latest drops and participate in trades early.
Source: Getgems
TON Diamonds
This is another general-purpose TON marketplace. Users can explore different collections, gifts, and artworks, analyze price fluctuation, buy items they like, and sell others. Some items are sold on an auction
The platform is focused on artwork NFTs. It shows X and Instagram accounts of featured artists who have the opportunity to promote themselves on TON Diamonds and earn by selling their art as NFTs.
Source: TON Diamonds
MarketApp
MarketApp is a minimalist marketplace where users can buy and sell usernames, anonymous numbers, TON domain names, and popular NFT collections. It shows statistics like NFT supply, owner royalties, and floor prices.
Source: MarketApp
Fragment
It’s a specialized platform to buy and sell identity NFTs for Telegram. It includes usernames and unique anonymous numbers, which can only be used for Telegram login. The platform works as an auction, where buyers place bids, and the one who placed the largest obtains the number/username after the auction ends.
Fragment can also be used to buy and sell Telegram stars, purchase ads, and launch giveaways in channels.
Source: Fragment
Future of NFT TON marketplaces
The Open Network activity is lower compared to its best times in 2024, but it secured its place among the top blockchains. Its speed and cheap transactions make it user-friendly, while Telegram integration boosts its adoption. New NFT collections and marketplaces will likely emerge and expand while existing ones are developing constantly.
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