Telegram, the popular messaging platform, has recently ignited a booming market with its innovative “Gifts” feature—animated images that users can send, display as statuses, and now trade as valuable digital collectibles. Initially launched as simple animated tokens of appreciation, these Gifts have evolved into a thriving NFT ecosystem on Telegram’s own TON blockchain, attracting streamers, influencers, and high-net-worth collectors, often called “whales.”
What Are Telegram Gifts and Why Are They Exploding in Value?
Gifts on Telegram started as limited-edition animated images, some available only in small quantities and quickly selling out. In early 2025, Telegram introduced the ability to upgrade these Gifts into “collectible gifts,” which unlock unique visual variations and traits, making each collectible a one-of-a-kind digital artwork. These upgraded Gifts can be transferred, auctioned, or minted as NFTs on the TON blockchain, creating a new asset class within the Telegram ecosystem.
The scarcity of certain collections, combined with their artistic uniqueness and blockchain-backed ownership, has driven a surge in demand. Some rare Gifts have seen astronomical returns, turning modest initial investments into fortunes:
Plush Pepes: Bought for $30, sold for up to $12,000
Durov’s Cap: Purchased at $15, now fetching $2,500
Swiss Watches: Starting at $1.50, reaching $126
Precious Peaches: From $20 to $1,700
These returns represent 100x to 300x growth, fueled by a rapidly expanding market and strong FOMO (fear of missing out) among collectors.
The Market Dynamics and Trading Volume
Telegram’s Gift market has become a multi-million-dollar economy. In June 2025 alone, trading volume for Telegram collectibles surpassed $3.5 million, outpacing the combined NFT trading volume on Ethereum and all other non-Ethereum blockchains. This highlights a significant shift in the NFT landscape, with Telegram emerging as a dominant player in digital collectibles.
Telegram’s integration with the TON blockchain enables quick, low-fee transactions, making it convenient for users to buy, sell, and trade Gifts. Marketplaces and specialized Telegram bots facilitate these trades, while the platform’s native currency, TON, is used for transactions and upgrading Gifts.
Why Are Influencers and Whales Investing?
High-profile Telegram users, including streamers and influencers, actively buy and showcase rare Gifts, boosting their visibility and desirability. Owning exclusive Gifts like Durov’s Cap—a limited run of only 2,000 NFTs—offers both status and potential financial upside, as these collectibles can be displayed prominently in profiles or “worn” next to usernames, enhancing social prestige.
Risks and Challenges
Despite the excitement, the Telegram Gift market is volatile and speculative. Prices can soar but also crash rapidly, and liquidity is not guaranteed. Automated bots often snatch up limited-edition Gifts faster than regular users, causing frustration. Additionally, Telegram requires KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to mint Gifts as NFTs, a controversial move that some see as limiting anonymity and freedom in the crypto space.
Conclusion
Telegram Gifts have transformed from simple animated tokens into a vibrant NFT market on the TON blockchain, offering users a new way to collect, trade, and potentially profit from digital art. What started as $30 gifts turning into $10,000 returns exemplifies the explosive growth and speculative frenzy surrounding these digital collectibles. As the market matures, Telegram’s Gifts could redefine how social platforms integrate blockchain technology and digital assets.
This new digital gold rush is reshaping the NFT world, with Telegram Gifts poised to become a major player in the global collectibles market.
