The Open Network (TON) is rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic blockchain ecosystems in 2025, fueled by deep integration with Telegram and a growing suite of innovative decentralized applications. From decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs to gaming and staking, TON is building a comprehensive Web3 infrastructure that prioritizes accessibility, speed, and user experience.
This article explores the core projects driving TON’s expansion, analyzing their functionality, market performance, and strategic importance within the ecosystem. We’ll examine leading platforms across key sectors—DEXs, lending, stablecoins, staking, bridges, launchpads, gaming, wallets, and NFT markets—to uncover the technological advancements and growth opportunities shaping TON’s future.
🚀 The Rise of TON: A Thriving Blockchain Ecosystem
Over the past few quarters, TON has demonstrated remarkable momentum in the global blockchain landscape. By supporting projects across 19 distinct categories—including CEXs, DEXs, wallets, NFT collections, and games—TON is not only advancing technically but also expanding its real-world utility.
What sets TON apart is its seamless integration with Telegram, the world’s most popular messaging app with over 800 million users. This synergy enables frictionless onboarding for mainstream audiences, turning casual users into active participants in Web3. With fast transaction speeds, low fees, and scalable architecture powered by sharding technology, TON offers a compelling alternative to congested networks like Ethereum.
As adoption grows, so does the ecosystem’s diversity. Below, we dive into the flagship projects defining each major sector on TON.
💱 DeFi Leader: Ston.fi – The Premier DEX on TON
Ston.fi stands at the forefront of decentralized exchange innovation within the TON ecosystem. Built on a Request-for-Quote (RFQ) model and leveraging Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLC), Ston.fi eliminates intermediaries, enhancing both security and transaction efficiency.
Key Features of Ston.fi
- No Third-Party Involvement: Direct peer-to-peer trading ensures higher reliability and reduced counterparty risk.
- Cross-Chain Asset Swaps: Enables seamless asset transfers between blockchains, improving interoperability.
- Gas-Free Transactions: Reduces user costs and simplifies interaction—ideal for new entrants.
- Telegram Integration: Users can manage trades directly through Telegram bots, drastically lowering entry barriers.
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Market Performance
As of June 2024, Ston.fi leads TON-based DEXs with a Total Value Locked (TVL) of $250.38 million**, an 80% increase over the previous month. Its **24-hour trading volume averages around $24.57 million, indicating strong user engagement.
Despite these impressive numbers, there's significant room for growth compared to established DEXs like Raydium. With limited trading pairs—primarily TON/USDT, NOT/TON, and NOT/USDT—expanding liquidity pools will be crucial for long-term dominance.
Ston.fi is in a high-growth phase. By enhancing liquidity depth and user experience, it has the potential to become a top-tier DEX not just on TON, but across all Layer 1 ecosystems.
💰 Lending Powerhouse: EVAA Protocol
EVAA Protocol is TON’s first native lending platform, offering users the ability to borrow and lend digital assets securely. It uses an isolated lending pool system, where each asset (e.g., TON, wrapped BTC/ETH) has its own dedicated pool—minimizing systemic risk.
Why EVAA Stands Out
- Support for Native & Wrapped Assets: Increases capital efficiency and liquidity options.
- DAI-Style Decentralized Stablecoin: Offers a non-custodial stablecoin solution independent of U.S.-based entities.
- DAO Governance: Community-driven decision-making ensures transparency and decentralization.
- EVAA SDK: Empowers developers to build custom DeFi tools like farming apps or DEX interfaces.
TVL and Market Data
EVAA’s TVL reached $18.99 million in June 2024—a 90% rise in one month—ranking it 7th in the TON ecosystem. The platform recorded:
- Total supplied: $33.46 million
- Total borrowed: $14.29 million
- Highest APY: 83.56% on TON deposits
This high yield attracts yield-seeking investors and boosts platform activity.
EVAA combines competitive returns with robust risk management. Its diversified asset offerings and developer-friendly tools position it as a foundational pillar in TON’s DeFi stack.
🪙 Stablecoin Innovation: Aqua Protocol
Aqua Protocol aims to bring decentralized stablecoins to TON via AquaUSD, a crypto-backed stablecoin designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar.
Core Mechanisms
- Overcollateralization: Each AquaUSD is backed by at least 1.5x value in Toncoin or Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs).
- Stability Features: Includes arbitrage incentives, debt ceiling limits, and premium suppression mechanisms.
- Censorship Resistance: Fully decentralized and transparent—no central authority controls issuance.
How It Works
- Deposit Toncoin or LSTs as collateral.
- Mint AquaUSD against your deposit.
- Use AquaUSD across DeFi while earning yield on your staked assets.
Currently in testing phase, Aqua represents a critical step toward mature financial infrastructure on TON.
🔗 Bridge Solution: Orbit Bridge
Orbit Bridge enables secure cross-chain communication between TON and other blockchains like Ethereum, Polygon, Klaytn, and Wemix.
Key Advantages
- Seamless Transfers: Move assets without complex procedures.
- Fully Decentralized: No single point of failure; secured by distributed validators.
- Multi-Chain Support: Expands access to external liquidity.
Despite its technical strengths, Orbit’s TVL on TON remains modest at $1.67 million, largely due to:
- Early-stage ecosystem development
- Low DeFi-focused user behavior (many users engage via games like Notcoin)
- Dominance of native bridge solutions like TonBridge
As TON matures, demand for cross-chain interoperability will grow—positioning Orbit for future relevance.
📈 Staking Champion: TonStakers
TonStakers is the leading liquid staking protocol on TON, certified by CertiK as the most secure option available.
Benefits of TonStakers
- Minimum stake: just 1 TON
- Rewards distributed every ~18 hours
- Instant unstaking via dedicated liquidity pool (tsTON → TON)
With a TVL of $245.7 million, TonStakers ranks third in the ecosystem—a 300% growth over three months. However, TON’s overall staking rate (14.2%) lags behind Ethereum (26%) and Solana (68%), signaling untapped potential.
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TonStakers offers unmatched accessibility and security. To scale further, it must improve APY competitiveness and incentivize broader participation.
🚀 Launchpad Pioneer: Tonstarter
Tonstarter is the first launchpad on TON, helping early-stage projects raise funds through IDOs while building strong communities.
Services Offered
- Investor network (150+ VCs and angels)
- Technical support for Telegram/Ton integration
- Tokenomics design
- Marketing & KOL outreach
- PR campaigns via 55K+ member community
Notable successes include:
- Fanzee: Raised $100K in 4 hours during IDO
- DeDust & STON.fi Reward Campaigns: Generated thousands of swaps and liquidity contributions
Tonstarter plays a vital role in nurturing innovation within the ecosystem.
🎮 Gaming Hub: JetTON Games
JetTON Games is the most popular gaming platform on TON, deeply integrated with Telegram.
Platform Highlights
- Over 3,900 slot games, 290+ strategy titles, and 300+ card games
- Secure and transparent gameplay via smart contracts
- High throughput for smooth multiplayer experiences
Its Telegram channel has grown to nearly 500K followers, showing strong community traction.
JetTON exemplifies how blockchain gaming can blend fun with utility—engaging millions who might otherwise avoid crypto.
🐸 Meme Coin Phenomenon: Notcoin
Notcoin exploded onto the scene as a click-to-earn game inside Telegram, amassing over 30 million users in under two months.
Impact and Metrics
- Became the 4th highest-traded crypto by volume ($4.5B+ daily)
- Price surged 323% in one week, peaking at $0.02896
- Backed by Binance and TON Foundation
Notcoin acted as a gateway for mass adoption—introducing millions to wallets, transactions, and tokens without technical complexity.
It's more than a meme; Notcoin proved that simple gamified onboarding can drive real ecosystem growth.
🔐 Wallet Leader: Tonkeeper
Tonkeeper is the go-to non-custodial Web3 wallet for TON users.
Features
- Send/receive/buy crypto
- Built-in exchange
- Staking support
- dApp browser
- NFT and subscription management
Its all-in-one design makes it a true "super app" for TON.
🖼️ NFT Marketplace: Getgems.io
Getgems.io dominates NFT trading on TON with daily volumes around 100K TON.
Popular categories include:
- Anonymous Telegram numbers
- Premium usernames
- Digital collectibles
While it lacks major PFP projects today, Getgems remains central to NFT innovation on TON.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What makes TON different from other blockchains?
TON combines high scalability (via sharding), ultra-low fees, and native integration with Telegram—making it uniquely positioned for mass adoption. Its focus on user-friendly dApps lowers barriers to entry for non-crypto natives.
Q2: Is Ston.fi safe to use?
Yes. Ston.fi uses HTLC-based trading and has undergone multiple audits. Its gas-free model also reduces exposure to failed transactions due to fluctuating gas prices.
Q3: How do I start earning yield on TON?
You can stake via TonStakers or lend assets on EVAA Protocol. Both offer competitive APYs—EVAA even provides up to 83.56% on certain assets.
Q4: Can I trade Notcoin safely?
Notcoin is listed on Binance and other major exchanges. Always verify contract addresses and use trusted platforms to avoid scams.
Q5: Are stablecoins available on TON?
AquaUSD is under development as a decentralized stablecoin. Until then, wrapped versions of USDT and USDC are widely used across DEXs.
Q6: What’s the best wallet for beginners?
Tonkeeper is ideal for newcomers—it's intuitive, secure, and integrates seamlessly with Telegram mini-apps.
🔍 Final Thoughts: The Path Forward for TON
TON’s ecosystem is still young but evolving rapidly. With flagship projects like Ston.fi, EVAA Protocol, TonStakers, and Notcoin, it has laid a solid foundation across DeFi, staking, gaming, and social finance.
Core keywords driving interest include: TON blockchain, Ston.fi, EVAA Protocol, TonStakers, Notcoin, Telegram crypto, TON DeFi, liquid staking
Challenges remain—particularly in cross-chain liquidity and stablecoin maturity—but the trajectory is clear: TON is building the most accessible Web3 environment powered by social connectivity.
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As development continues and more users enter through games and social apps, TON could emerge as a dominant force in decentralized ecosystems by 2025—bridging the gap between crypto experts and everyday internet users.