Which projects does the TON Foundation recommend developing?

In 2024, the TON ecosystem saw a lot of buzz around Tap-to-Earn games and memecoins. However, the hype around “tapping” apps has faded, and memecoins haven’t turned into a major success either. So, what should be built on TON in 2025?

Right now, the Web3 Festival is taking place in Hong Kong, where Alyona Shmalko (Ecosystem Lead at TON Foundation) highlighted five promising directions for the future. Here’s a summary of her insights:

GameFi. As the Tap-to-Earn trend dies down, Alyona suggests focusing on three gaming alternatives.
1. Mid-core games – instead of simple tapping mechanics, these would have more complex gameplay.
2. Inspiration from WeChat – bringing successful game elements from this ecosystem into TON/Telegram (especially relevant in Hong Kong, where WeChat is widely used).
3. Telegram-native elements – incorporating Telegram features like gifts and stickers into games.

Simplified DeFi. There are already plenty of DeFi projects, but many are too complex for the average user. Alyona believes it’s crucial to offer “one-click investing” for the masses. The arrival of Ethena and Midas—two successful projects—could help simplify DeFi within TON.

Telegram In-App Economy. This refers to projects built around Telegram’s unique features. Examples include the TONNEL gift store, Notcoin’s sticker shop, and Upscale by Storm Trade.

Payments. The goal here is to make everyday tasks easier for users: buying crypto, paying for real-world goods with it (for example, via linked bank cards), earning cashback, and sending funds to friends. Examples mentioned include Vietnam-based @aliniex_bot, @card, and @TONCashAppBot.

AI. This is a hot trend across the board, and Alyona believes it aligns well with Telegram’s format and mini-app ecosystem. Examples she cited include @TheStarAIBot, which lets users chat with AI bots, and @GrablyTelegramBot, which allows users to sell their personal data (like palm photos) for use in AI projects.

Do you agree with Alyona’s take, or do you think something should be added or removed from the list? Share your thoughts in the comments—what do you see as the most promising directions for TON projects in 2025?

@thedailyton