Gifts in Telegram: A New Era of Digital Items
In late 2024, Telegram began releasing gifts, transforming the messenger into a full-fledged platform for exchanging emotions and digital assets. These are more than just pictures; they are interactive elements that form a new internal economy within the app.
What are Telegram Gifts?
Gifts in Telegram are animated digital cards with unique designs. They can be:
- Common: These are unlimited in quantity and can be purchased using Telegram’s internal currency — Stars.
- Limited Edition: These are usually released for holidays and are removed from sale once the event ends.
- Collectible (NFT): Rare items released in limited editions.
Why send and receive gifts?
- Profile Personalization: A received gift can be displayed at the top of your profile or set as an emoji status.
- Exclusive Themes: Owners of certain gifts (e.g., Plush Pepe or Durov’s Cap) gain access to unique chat wallpapers.
- Investment and Earnings: Limited gifts can be resold on secondary markets for TON cryptocurrency. The value of these items grows along with their rarity.
Where can you buy NFT gifts?
- In the built-in Telegram Market: You can access it through your profile: Settings -> Send a Gift -> Buy a gift for yourself.
- In Gift Marketplaces: Such as MRKT and PORTALS, using TON cryptocurrency. These marketplaces are implemented as Telegram mini-apps.
Gifts have become an important tool of social mechanics: they help not only to express affection but also to highlight status or support favorite channel authors.