Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events; the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume; and futures, options and perpetual contracts.

At the start of the week, Bitcoin showed signs of decoupling from US equities. However, US president Trump's positive remarks about the US-China trade war (which had included a 145% tariff on Chinese goods) triggered a relief rally across markets. As a result, BTC has resumed moving up with US equities. 

This rally has led to a rise in short-tenor implied volatility and a recovery in BTC’s put-call skew, indicating that traders are seeking upside exposure.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Perp open interest rises across the board

Perpetual open interest increased significantly this week across various tokens, especially ETH. Perpetual trading volumes also rose. Notably, Ap 7, 2025 recorded the highest trade volume of the month, following Trump's comment, "Forget markets for a second, we have all the advantages."

BTC option open interest shows a mixed picture; put-call skew in short tenor sends positive signals

President Trump’s recent willingness to negotiate a trade deal with China’s President Xi triggered a relief rally across asset classes, including crypto. Bitcoin had already risen 7% since Apr 21, 2025, prior to Trump's comments. Despite this rally, open interest in puts has outpaced calls, with options volume remaining relatively balanced. 

It's unclear if the demand for puts reflects a hedge against downside risks, or a bet against the upward movement. Meanwhile, perpetual funding rates are providing limited insight into sentiment. However, the recovery of the put-call skew at short tenors indicates that traders are seeking upside exposure to the rally — and are willing to pay for it.

ETH unexpectedly outperforms BTC in this relief rally

ETH's response to the recent crypto market recovery has diverged from previous trends: it outperformed BTC in spot prices, a rarity in past rallies, and open interest in calls exceeds that in puts — opposite to BTC's trend. In addition, ETH call open interest is nearly double that of puts, with calls dominating options volumes. This suggests traders anticipate ETH will reduce its significant underperformance against both BTC and other “ETH killers” like SUI and SOL. Additionally, the spot rally has led to another term structure inversion for ETH.

Advanced

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Bybit X Block Scholes crypto derivatives analytics report (Apr 24, 2025): Put-call skew recovers at short tenors, showing reviving sentiment

Explore all the hottest Bybit events happening during the week of TOKEN2049 Dubai in this article.

It’s that time of year again — TOKEN2049 Dubai is back, and the city is buzzing with excitement. As one of the most anticipated events on the crypto calendar, it’s not just about the main conference; it’s about everything happening around it, too. From side events and workshops to exclusive mixers and demo days, Bybit is showing up in full force this year. Here's your inside look at what to expect during this action-packed week.

The heart of TOKEN2049 Week, TOKEN2049 Dubai promises two full days of future-facing discussions and innovation in the world of crypto. At the center of it all is Bybit’s immersive booth experience, built on the theme 

. It’s not just a theme — it’s a vibe. Picture claw machines, 

If you’re heading to TOKEN2049 Dubai, be sure to drop by the Bybit booth (located at P33) and chat with our extraordinary Bybit team! And don’t miss your chance to grab a gacha token by scanning our QR code with Bybit Pay. You could walk away with exclusive Bybit merch! 

DMCC x VARA: Crypto regulations and business growth

Policy meets progress at this exclusive evening event co-hosted by DMCC and VARA. This gathering brings together regulators and industry leaders for an open discussion on the future of digital asset compliance and business growth in the region.

You can expect sharp insights, candid perspectives and forward-thinking dialogue about what it really takes to scale a crypto business in a regulated environment. If you care about the future of web3 in the UAE, this is one event to mark on your calendar.

Bybit After Hours: Exclusive Insights & Networking 

 is a private cocktail evening for top-tier traders and long-time supporters of Bybit. This event is equal parts networking, knowledge sharing and celebration.

 to strategic conversations with the Bybit team, this night is tailored to those who trade big and think bigger. With an invite-only guest list, it’s set to be one of the most exclusive experiences of the week.

The Crypto Hub x Bybit Crypto Ark Demo Day

 is all about bringing hands-on energy to the web3 scene. Hosted at the Crypto Ark inside Bybit’s office, this event welcomes founders, devs and crypto creatives for a casual evening of product showcases, idea exchange and light networking.

While Bybit provides the space, the real spotlight is on the community — those shaping the next wave of innovation in web3.

 from across the CIS region are gathering for a deep dive into the tools, tips and strategies that drive growth at Bybit. This meetup goes beyond surface-level sharing — expect actionable workshops covering our Bybit Affiliate program and affiliate best practices.

It’s also a chance to hear directly from Bybit product leads and regional managers, share success stories and walk away with fresh ideas to maximize conversions. 

Wunderbit x Bybit: “Hey, Trading Bot, where is my profit?”

 are here to stay — and this event is going deep into what makes them tick. Co-hosted by Wunderbit and Bybit, the evening workshop blends honest stories from real traders with expert insights on how to avoid common automation pitfalls.

From bot setups that work to the ones that quietly drain your profits, this is your chance to ask the tough questions, hear unfiltered answers — and maybe rethink how you’re running your own bot strategy.

 (RWAs) are taking center stage at the RWA Gulf Summit, a high-powered event co-hosted by Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank International and DMZ Finance. This summit brings together bank leaders, wealth funds, participants in DIFC, institutional investors and industry pioneers to explore the evolution of tokenized finance in the Middle East and beyond.

Bybit’s Head of Financial Products Jerry Li will take the stage to discuss how 

 (CEXs) can harness RWAs for enhanced yield and 

Dubai's Pinnacle Mixer: Mantle, Mirana, Bybit and Ethena

High above the city, this mixer brings together some of the biggest names in web3 — Mantle, Mirana, Bybit and Ethena. Expect an unforgettable evening of casual chats, cross-chain connections and cocktails with the minds behind some of today’s most innovative projects.

This private event is all about experiencing Bybit Pay in action. See interactive demos, grab a sneak peek at upcoming partnerships and network over bites and drinks. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the way Bybit is shaping the future of crypto payments. 

Wrapping up the week is the Bybit Institutional Symposium — a full-day event dedicated to aligning strategies with institutional clients and forging new collaborations. From macro views to product deep-dives, this conference is built to spark big conversations among serious players.

The day concludes with a gala dinner, a fitting finale to a week in which ideas, connections and innovation have taken center stage.

Intermediate

Bybit Learn Highlights What to Expect at Bybit

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Highlights: What to expect at Bybit (Apr 28–May 2, 2025)

Balance (EPT) is revolutionizing web3 gaming with evolving AI companions, blending blockchain, strategy, and intelligent gameplay in one powerful platform.

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are a key growth area within the blockchain industry. Projects like Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), 

 (AI16Z) and countless others have been essential components driving the overall crypto market. As of April 2025, the CoinGecko portal lists more than 500 cryptocurrencies within its category of AI Agents. These intelligent assistants are now helping individuals and businesses analyze markets, create textual and visual content, automate work processes and trade profitably.

There's a further area where AI agents on the blockchain are flourishing: the world of 

 gaming. In this sphere, bots and agents based on AI algorithms are helping users develop the best in-game strategies, succeed in the competitive world of play-to-earn (P2E) and overcome key challenges in complex gameplay.

Balance (EPT) is a blockchain gaming project that takes the use of 

 to a completely new level. The creation of the team at the world’s largest social gaming platform, E-Pal, Balance offers players AI agents that can aid them in the in-game environment and serve as their personal companions. Based on a multi-layer architecture, the platform offers some of the most cutting-edge use cases for gaming-oriented AI agents.

 (EPT) is a web3 gaming platform that allows players to easily create, own and use AI companions within the blockchain games it supports.

 Balance supports a variety of first-party (internally developed) and third-party web3 games. You can deploy your AI gaming companions and they’ll act as your assistants, friends or co-players within Balance games.

Using Balance.fun, the platform’s primary web interface, you can create your AI agents and specify various details, such as appearance, personality and functions.

Balance isn’t just another obscure crypto gaming platform. The origins of the project date back to 2020, when the E-Pal social gaming provider was launched by four young California-based technology entrepreneurs — Brian Xiong, Tung Pham, Yuzhe Norris Wang and Yuanzhe Li. E-Pal quickly became a leading force in the newly emerging social gaming field, helping players worldwide find gaming companions. By early 2024, E-Pal had become the world’s largest gaming companion platform, boasting 4.2 million users and 450,000 Epals (gaming companions).

In February 2024, the E-Pal team focused its efforts on 

 and AI technologies, starting the development work on the Balance gaming platform. In September of the same year, Balance went live.

Per the project’s documentation, the platform operates on its own chain, Balance Chain, with 

 (AA) technology used for cross-chain communication. The fungible and 

 (NFTs) held by user accounts are based on the 

A key part of the Balance ecosystem is Key Nodes — purchasable 

 that help with the processing, storage and distribution of data required in the resource-intensive environment of web3 gaming. Some applied instances are the management of real-time leaderboards and the automatic distribution of loot and in-game currency. These nodes can also support the computational requirements of training AI models. As a reward for their work in supporting the platform’s operations, Key Nodes receive a wide range of rewards and benefits, including distributions of EPT tokens, the platform’s native cryptocurrency.

As the ecosystem develops, Key Nodes are envisioned to be involved in governance, 

 launch in September 2024, Balance introduced its Points System, designed to reward early contributors to the platform. During the campaign run in September, users could earn points by completing various specified tasks in various activities, such as joining the project’s social media pages or commenting and reposting.

The 400 users with the best performance in the Points System earned a whitelist spot to receive Pioneer Badge NFTs — distinct tokens that provide owners with early access to games, future campaigns, airdrops and beta testing opportunities. Pioneer Badge NFT holders can also enjoy other benefits, such as premium NFTs and voting rights on the Balance platform.

Balance’s platform provides a set of tools to create and use intelligent companions for Balance-based games. You can design your AI companions by specifying their key traits and behaviors through custom prompts and strategies. The AI agents on Balance can assist you in battles, gaming contests, learning, routine task execution and interactive entertainment.

Balance’s platform is made up of five key layers, each one serving a specific purpose in supporting its user and developer communities. At the top of the architectural stack is the application layer, which acts as the main interface for users to interact with human and AI companions and the wider Balance community.

The application layer also contains the AI Battle Reporting System, which is designed to give users feedback and analysis tools on their performance in the platform’s gaming ecosystem. AI technology is leveraged here to provide personalized analytics and performance improvement recommendations.

A range of NFTs are also part of the layer. These include in-game asset NFTs, as well as 

 (SBTs) that serve as summaries of the holder’s achievements.

The platform layer hosts the various games within the Balance gaming universe. These include both internal games and third-party games that have partnered with Balance. The key concept uniting all of the games is the active integration of AI companions and AI players, making the platform a unique environment in which humans and AI agents play, interact and compete.

The platform layer also features an AI-driven NFT launchpad that offers a rich tool set for creating personalized NFTs for games and applications. These NFTs can be traded on Balance's NFT marketplace, which is also an integral part of the platform layer.

The protocol layer includes a trio of critical protocols — the Fans Protocol, Epal Fan Token (FT) Exchange Protocol and Asset Protocol. The Fans Protocol lets players launch and manage their Fan Tokens, creating opportunities for influencers and community builders to tokenize their efforts and launch high-potential crypto assets. Meanwhile, the Epal FT Exchange Protocol facilitates the management of (and trade in) Fan Tokens.

The third protocol, Asset, is used for the comprehensive management of a wide range of digital assets on Balance, providing easy-to-use tools for asset creation and trading.

The token layer is designed for core operations involving the platform’s native EPT token. This layer supports the use of EPT for in-game purchases, access to services and AI companions, Fan Token minting and trading, in addition to other functionalities.

This is the underlying infrastructural layer that powers the platform’s operational mechanism. It can be described as Balance's operating system, and is made up of several critical components: the node system, the Balance 

, the Balance Chain network and the platform's unique ID system.

The node system provides the computational and storage resources to power games and other functionality on Balance. In addition, the system acts as a key connecting medium between Balance Chain and the AA functionality that lets the platform enjoy cross-chain capabilities.

The Balance stablecoin, also part of the infra layer, is designed to reduce volatility and bring rate stability to the platform's gaming ecosystem. The Balance stablecoin system helps players engage in asset trading without the fear of wild market fluctuations, an important consideration in the 

Designed to support multiple chains, Balance Chain operates based on dynamic protocol adaptation, automatically selecting the optimal blockchain platform according to user preferences and needs. This dynamic adaptability is designed to reduce costs, improve operational speed and enhance overall security for users.

The final major component of the Balance infrastructure layer, the Balance ID system, is a unified and secure user authentication and identity management solution. To be introduced later in 2025, the ID system will let users access all services and games within the Balance ecosystem via a single set of cross-platform decentralized credentials. In addition to human players, also AI companions will have their unique IDs.

EPT is the native cryptocurrency of Balance. Although the platform has been operational since 2024, the EPT token was just launched on Apr 21, 2025, with a total and maximum supply of 10 billion. It was issued on two major blockchains — Ethereum and BNB Chain. EPT has a wide range of functional use cases on the platform, including the following:

The EPT token's supply allocation is per the chart below.

 as a swap pair with USDT, and through the exchange's 

 based on USDT. You can also take advantage of Bybit’s campaign dedicated to the token to grab a share of the 

Under the terms of the event, new users can earn EPT rewards by accumulating a deposit volume of at least 3,000 EPT, or by depositing at least 100 USDT and trading 100 USDT worth of EPT via their first spot trade with Bybit. Meanwhile, existing users can qualify for rewards by trading at least 500 USDT worth of EPT on Spot. The event is valid through May 5, 2025, 9AM UTC.

As of Apr 25, 2025, the EPT token has been on the market for only four days, and is trading at $0.0117, which is 26.4% lower than its ATH of $0.01708 on Apr 21, 2025, and 11.4% higher than its ATL of $0.01129 on Apr 22, 2025.

Long-term price forecasts for EPT are mostly bullish. DigitalCoinPrice 

 of $0.0412 in 2027 and $0.0615 in 2030, whilePricePrediction 

These and other emerging long-term forecasts for the token don't constitute investment advice. Given EPT's extremely short history on the market so far, 

 on the token's future prospects, carefully assess market fluctuations within the crypto gaming niche and consider all other relevant factors before investing in it or any other cryptocurrency.

Capturing emerging market trends and sensing the broader market conditions, the team at E-Pal recognized the tremendous potential of gaming companions back in 2020. Four years later, E-Pal realized that the new market dynamics in gaming called for something even more innovative — the use of AI companions, in addition to fellow humans. The resulting product, the Balance platform, is now racing to stake the claim to the best web3 gaming environment supported by AI agents.

The platform's unique features — cross-chain functionality supported by an AA mechanism, a dynamic exchange system that selects the best network for users' transactions and, most importantly, intelligent AI companions — can certainly help establish Balance as a leader in this niche of web3 gaming.

AI agents are taking the gaming industry by storm, with blockchain technology acting as a powerful enabler of these intelligent friends of ours. The Balance gaming universe — supported by the proven track record of E-Pal — has a great chance of becoming the go-to environment in which to befriend your next artificial gaming partner.

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Balance (EPT): Revolutionizing web3 gaming with evolving AI companions

Mantle has launched the Mantle Index Four (MI4), an institutional-grade fund providing diversified exposure to yield-bearing digital assets. 

The S&P 500 rose 2.03% on strong Alphabet earnings and optimism over a possible Fed rate cut. Gold jumped 1.5% to $3,338 as trade tensions rose and a weaker dollar, along with falling yields, boosted demand. Fed rate cut signals also supported the rally. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, rose 0.74%, with Bitcoin up 0.06% and Ether down 1.89%, in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is INIT, up 15.4%, following the launch of Initia, which aims to revive the appchain concept with an interconnected network and an INIT token airdrop.

Initia (INIT), founded in 2022, is a modular blockchain platform that combines a Layer 1 network with customizable Layer 2 rollups, enabling scalable decentralized app development. It offers flexibility in virtual machines, gas tokens, and transaction systems, while ensuring interoperability and addressing issues like liquidity fragmentation and network congestion. Initia has 

 to revive the appchain concept by offering a network that integrates appchains in a cohesive, interconnected way. The platform emphasizes full-stack control for apps, avoiding fragmentation. Initia is also launching an airdrop with claims available until May 24, 2025. The native token, INIT, has a fixed supply of 1 billion, distributed across eight categories.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

, an institutional-grade fund providing diversified exposure to yield-bearing digital assets. In partnership with Securitize, which has tokenized over $3B in assets, the fund aims to fill a market gap by offering native yield generation in a traditional fund format. Mantle Treasury has committed up to $400M as the anchor investment. The fund will rebalance quarterly and incorporate DeFi-native staking strategies, such as mETH and bbSOL, while ensuring investor protections. MI4 targets both crypto-native and traditional investors, with Phase 1 rollout scheduled for Q2 2025.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw a total inflow of $114.7 million, all from non-GBTC funds, while GBTC recorded no flow.

Dolomite, the 10th largest DeFi lending app, is launching a 200M token 

 (20% of total supply) during its TGE on April 24, rewarding users based on platform usage. The DOLO token powers a three-token system alongside oDOLO and veDOLO, enabling incentives, governance, and potential revenue sharing. With over $800M in TVL, Dolomite expands to Berachain, integrating with its Proof of Liquidity system to offer advanced lending features and asset utility.

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Mantle launches MI4 fund for institutional-grade digital asset exposure and yield generation

Bybit Learn

Blockchain

Altcoins

Explainers

Toncoin (symbol: TON) is the token native to The Open Network (TON), a decentralized Layer 1 blockchain network. Find out more about it in this article.

, or The Open Network, is a unique community-driven 

, TON was created to onboard billions of users and allow for quick, inexpensive and energy-efficient blockchain transactions. All of its features were developed with everyday users in mind.

In addition to offering ultra-fast transactions, tiny fees and easy-to-use apps, The Open Network is known for its flexible architecture and scalability. It is also environmentally friendly. Before you invest in Toncoin, the network’s native token, use this guide to learn more about the history of TON and its uses.

Toncoin (symbol: TON) is the token native to The Open Network (TON), a decentralized 

 blockchain network. Previously known as Gram, Toncoin can be used to pay transaction fees, settle payments or validate transactions using the TON blockchain’s 

Telegram Open Network is an abandoned blockchain developed by Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging service. After the project was abandoned, it was 

In 2018, Telegram released both a “lite paper” and a white paper for the Telegram Open Network. Originally called Gram, the project was in active development until 2020. During its time in development, TON raised money through private sales of Gram tokens. In April 2018, Gram broke records for the second-largest token sale of all time, raising $1.7 billion. Additional large billion-dollar sales were made to companies around the world after the token gained more publicity.

Gram started getting a lot of attention, which began to create several challenges for the network. There were 

 quickly made an announcement that the company would create an official method of participating in the ICO.

Gram initially attempted to conduct public sales under U.S. jurisdiction, so Telegram had to follow all 

 (Securities and Exchange Commission) regulations. The initial purchase agreement was to provide investors with tokens upon TON’s launch. The goal was to prevent the SEC from viewing Gram tokens as securities. Unfortunately, the SEC saw the initial investors as underwriters, and Telegram’s offering of Gram in exchange was considered an unregistered distribution of securities.

While Telegram fought the SEC, it ultimately lost in court. In May 2020, founder Pavel Durov 

At this point, TON had a dedicated following and the worldwide decentralized community of crypto enthusiasts and developers saw the potential of the blockchain. Because TON was developed as an open-source project and the code was easily 

, community developers could pick up where Telegram left off and build new TON functionality.

Toncoin was initially developed as a Gram alternative, ostensibly not an actual investment in Telegram itself (though, according to 

, this assertion was challenged by at least some Gram investors). Speed was a major problem for blockchain technology. Slow speeds and high transaction fees made it difficult for everyday users to effectively pay with cryptocurrency as they would with Visa or Mastercard. TON was developed with the end user in mind to support millions of 

 have become household names, they aren’t without their problems. High transaction fees, slow transaction speeds and a considerable learning curve make it difficult for people to use cryptocurrency for everyday purchases. For example, 

 to use the Ethereum blockchain fluctuate frequently, and gas fees of over $100 aren’t unheard of, depending on the size of the transaction.

The TON ecosystem was developed to handle the needs of millions of users making everyday transactions. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which are primarily used by investors, TON focuses on catering to the typical consumer. It’s designed to be integrated into an easy-to-use app, allowing users to quickly buy, send and store coins.

One of TON’s biggest advantages is its flexible architecture. The Open Network was designed to be incredibly efficient and scalable, and boasts ultra-fast transactions due to its cross-shard interactions. By supporting dynamic sharding and workchains, TON can successfully validate and process millions of transactions per second. In other words, TON's flexible architecture lets it grow continuously without any loss of performance.

Blockchain technology has quickly evolved, making it easier to exchange sensitive information in a decentralized environment. TON strives for mainstream adaptation of Toncoin, made possible by its engaged Telegram user base, simple interfaces, incredibly fast speeds and overall scalability.

As the native token of its blockchain, Toncoin has a range of uses on theTON network, including as a form of payment in 

Unlike most other blockchain ecosystems, TON was designed to support billions of users simultaneously by using blockchain sharding, which involves using multiple subnetworks, or 

, on the same blockchain to quickly accomplish tasks. Each shard has its own purpose and works to prevent large backlogs of unverified blocks.

 (PoS) network. Every transaction is validated using Toncoin, which is also used to reward validators. The network also allows nominators to lend their tokens to validators to earn rewards. To lend tokens, a nominator needs to join a pool and stake their assets. Both nominators and validators are managed using 

, adding an additional layer of security.

 bot on the Telegram app. After setting up their wallets and adding 

 to their attachments, users can quickly access their Toncoin in any chat window. They can purchase Toncoin using the same bot, too, and don’t need to pay a transaction fee to send Toncoin using the Telegram app. This allows users to quickly and easily transfer decentralized funds to other users on their contact list.

While users intending to sell cryptocurrencies are subject to a 0.9% commission fee, buyers don’t need to pay any transaction fees. This makes the wallet practical for everyday use.

Several services and applications running on the TON blockchain also accept payment in Toncoin. The TON ecosystem supports the creation of new DApps, which makes it highly adaptable.

Toncoin can also be used to influence how the network develops in the future. The Open Network is a 

 (DAO), so users who hold the blockchain’s native token can cast votes on any proposed changes to the blockchain or ecosystem. This helps promote a sense of community and encourages consistent growth and innovation. TON’s current 

 program utilizes a simple voting system that ensures every user has a chance to make their voice heard.

Toncoin is known for its practicality and heavily focuses on efficiency. The goal is to make using the token as easy as possible for the end user. TON’s development community has also worked hard to add many of the advanced features that set the token apart from other cryptocurrencies.

Proof of stake consensus mechanisms are common on blockchain networks that require validators to complete transactions. This energy-efficient mechanism allows validators to be rewarded based on how large of a stake they hold. Instead of receiving a new block on the blockchain, they’re granted part of the transaction fees.

It’s important to note that TON can no longer be mined using a 

 (PoW) consensus algorithm. In June 2022, the 

, and the total supply can only increase by a small percentage each year. TON’s PoS consensus algorithm keeps the blockchain moving efficiently.

, the on-chain governance platform of the TON blockchain, was launched in February 2023. This platform, developed with Layer 3 blockchain infrastructure by Orbs, represents a significant step forward for the TON ecosystem, as it enables tamperproof voting and allows Toncoin token holders to participate in decision-making for network projects. Following its launch, there was a notable surge in Toncoin's trading activity, reflecting the increased engagement and interest in the network. 

Toncoin is integral to the governance process, with holders using it to vote on various proposals affecting the network. The first major governance action, involving a proposal to freeze tokens in inactive genesis mining wallets, saw considerable support from the community. This initiative underscores TON's commitment to decentralized governance and community-driven development, marking a new chapter in its evolution.

The TON Foundation is actively expanding its ecosystem by 

 to build new DApps. ​​In August 2023, the TON Foundation announced its latest grant recipients, showcasing a range of innovative projects aimed at enriching the TON Community. These include Tali AI, which simplifies the onboarding process for developers through an AI-driven model, and a Ledger app that enhances TON asset management and security. 

Meanwhile, TonUP emerges as a permissionless launchpad to support the growth of ecosystem projects, while Optus DEX aggregator optimizes decentralized trading by pooling liquidity from multiple DEXs. Additionally, 

 gaming experience on the VK Mini Apps platform. These initiatives collectively contribute to a more vibrant and functional TON ecosystem, encouraging participation and development within the community.

Storing information on a blockchain isn’t a new concept, but 

 takes it a step further. It works a lot like Dropbox but offers the benefits of private encryption, using the owner’s wallet’s private key. This adds an extra layer of security to both online private and public storage.

Privacy is always a priority for blockchain users. 

 enables users to access the TON blockchain using decentralized 

-like networks. This allows users to avoid censorship and easily access DApps.

Like many other blockchain ecosystems, TON relies on smart contracts to process on-chain transactions quickly. All smart contracts on the blockchain are executed using their own 

, or TON Virtual Machine. TVM allows for very complex smart contract deployments.

, or TON domain name service, attempts to make cryptocurrency wallets, accounts, smart contracts and other features more user-friendly by providing users with easy-to-remember names that aren’t just strings of numbers and letters.

TON DNS works a lot like a social media handle, and is incorporated into various domain names for easy access. Users can register their domain names and usernames on the blockchain. There are several easy-to-use apps that support TON DNS, including cryptocurrency wallets.

The TON blockchain is home to more than 500 DApps and services that utilize smart contracts. 

 enables developers to create new applications on the blockchain. Users can access these third-party apps with a user-friendly interface. TON also offers a searchable registry of all DApps and services located on the blockchain.

There are several ways to store Toncoin and other digital assets from the TON blockchain, with over 743,000 unique 

 currently completing thousands of transactions per day.

TON offers custodial wallet services, and works with several third-party noncustodial wallets. Custodial wallets are a good choice for users who want simple solutions, while 

 are preferable for users who want more control over their assets.

There are two different TON custodial wallets. Previously, if you wanted to complete transactions through Telegram, you needed to use the @wallet bot. Telegram users 

 @cryptobot to easily store, transfer or exchange Toncoin. However, In September 2023, Telegram officially integrated a TON-based self-custody crypto wallet, known as 

, into its app, a significant move following its earlier plans to develop a web3 ecosystem. 

This integration, showcased at the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore, made the wallet accessible to Telegram's vast global user base of 800 million. The wallet's introduction to Telegram coincided with a 7% increase in the price of Toncoin. TON Space was introduced in Telegram's settings for users outside the U.S. From November 2023, this feature became a default offering for all Telegram users internationally, except in the U.S. This integration into Telegram allows both existing and new users to access their wallets effortlessly within the app, streamlining the process of buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrency to be as straightforward as sending a message. 

The TON Foundation also announced that projects built on TON would receive priority for Telegram Ads. While initially planned in 2019, the integration was delayed due to a lawsuit by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission against Telegram's $1.7 billion ICO. This renewed collaboration between Telegram and TON aims to simplify crypto access for users and bolster the web3 infrastructure on the messaging platform.

There are several ways to earn money using the TON blockchain. The simplest way to earn income on the TON network is to become a validator; however, this requires a large amount of Toncoin, a strong connection and advanced hardware. Most users who want to earn passive income using TON become nominators, lending their tokens to validators via a nominator pool.

Nominator pools allow individual users to come together and combine the assets they’re lending to a validator, enabling them to easily collect a reward. Once a reward is granted by the blockchain, it’s distributed evenly among the members of the pool.

TON uses an open-source decentralized staking pool system. Not only does this make cryptocurrency staking easier for the average user, but it also provides smart contract guarantees. The smart contracts ensure that any tokens borrowed by validators are used solely for validation and are accurately distributed.

There is currently over 27 million TON staked by nominators in pools. Finding a nominator pool is a simple process. To get started, visit 

TON validators help to maintain the network by validating transactions. As they validate blocks, they receive Toncoin rewards using the blockchain’s PoS consensus algorithm.

In order to become a TON validator, you need to first obtain a large amount of Toncoin to stake, typically around 300,000 TON. In addition to this investment, you’ll also need a fast internet connection and a system that can easily run MyTonCtrl, the open-source tool used by validators. A

 is available to help you learn more about the requirements, rewards and expectations of validators.

 is a vibrant community within TON, uniting a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about TON’s future. It includes contributors, hub developers and ambassadors, all working together toward a shared vision. Members of the TON Society engage in various events such as contests, hackathons and others, with opportunities to earn rewards like 

. These awards are then showcased in their profiles, highlighting their professional expertise and contributions to the community. 

Among the top contributors are enthusiastic web3 developers and TON advocates, recognized for their numerous awards and active participation in community activities. The TON Society represents a collective of dreamers and innovators from around the globe, dedicated to using advanced technologies for open, decentralized exchanges of value, information and ideas, with a focus on protecting freedom, privacy and rights.

The TON ecosystem is constantly expanding, making Toncoin more versatile. The most common use of the token is as a form of commission payment for processing transactions on the blockchain. Because of the TON network’s sharding feature, the token may also be used for cross-chain transaction fees or as payment for creating new work chains.

The TON network offers a comprehensive ecosystem for users, including a self-custody wallet for managing Toncoin, a feature to buy Toncoin with a card or exchange, and options to stake and accept payments globally. Its ecosystem includes applications, domain services and a bridge for 

 tokens. TON's concept focuses on a decentralized, self-governed blockchain 

 outlining its past developments and future goals. 

For developers, TON provides resources such as documentation, a developer community 

. Its platform supports various use cases, including mini-apps, 

The TON Society encourages active participation with rewards, while the TON Foundation oversees the network’s growth. TON’s road map highlights the progression from its initial development by the Telegram team, its legal challenges with the SEC and its transformation into a stable and secure blockchain managed by the TON Foundation. Upcoming projects include further enhancements and new functionalities such as TON Teleport, TON Browser, and Wallet 5.0.

As mentioned previously, TON blockchain launched its on-chain governance platform, TON VOTE, in February 2023, and officially integrated a TON-based self-custody crypto wallet into Telegram in September 2023 for existing users. It then extended accessibility to all existing and new users in November 2023.

On Oct 31, 2023, the TON blockchain achieved a 

 by setting a world record for speed and scalability during a public test, reaching an unprecedented 104,715 transactions per second. This remarkable performance, which was audited by CertiK, demonstrated TON's unique architecture, which allows for infinite scaling to handle millions of transactions from billions of users. 

The test utilized a "bomb" smart contract on a separate TON network, created using 256 servers rented from Alibaba Cloud, which exponentially increased the load on the network. This test confirmed TON's dynamic sharding capability, whereby the network can split into shardchains under heavy loads and merge back when the load decreases. The achievement not only sets TON apart in the blockchain space, but also shows its potential to handle significantly higher transaction volumes in the future.

Toncoin (TON): A Scalable & Shardable Layer 1 Blockchain

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Toncoin (TON): A Scalable & Shardable Layer 1 Blockchain

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Compete for 2,500 USDT USDT Every Week

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards