Telegram Stars
Telegram Stars — is the platform's internal currency, which is used to pay for Telegram's digital goods and services.
The popular messenger Telegram gives users the opportunity not only to communicate, but also to make payments in bots and mini-apps. Introduction in Telegram Stars simplifies payments by making them more convenient.
History
Telegram Stars were launched in the summer of 2024. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, also talked about the need for Stars in his Telegram Channel.
The reason for creating Stars was to comply with Apple and Google's requirements to use in-app payment mechanisms to avoid blocking mini-apps and bots. In response, Telegram created Stars to allow users to purchase digital goods and services without violating Apple and Google's requirements.
Main Features
The Telegram 10.14.1 adds a feature to purchase digital goods using Stars — users can purchase stickers, design themes and games.
Mini Apps in Telegram now offer paid features or content that can also be purchased through Stars. This opens up new opportunities for developers of Telegram Mini Apps. For example, users can access paid services in educational or entertainment mini apps. Telegram Stars already utilize mini-apps such as Gatto, Major, and others.
There is also a feature for publishing paid content: users set a price for viewing media files that become available after payment. This option allows content creators to earn Stars, which are converted into Toncoin with a minimal commission via Fragment.
Additionally, Telegram has added a feature that lets users react to posts in channels with Stars.
Thus, Telegram Stars expands the functionality of the application, making it a platform not only for communication, but also for commercial activities within the application.
Benefits for developers
Telegram offers developers to invest earned Stars in advertising within the platform. This means that developers can promote applications and content at minimal cost, as Telegram reduces the commission to almost zero. For users, the commission for transactions with Stars is a maximum of 5%.
Telegram also gives developers access to a user base that already numbers over 900 million people. This opens up great opportunities for distribution and monetization of applications and content. With so many users, developers can increase their audience and revenue by offering paid features and content within Telegram's mini-apps and bots.
Examples of use
One of the mini-apps using Telegram Stars is Major. In this app, users increase their rankings by purchasing Stars in packs of 1,000 to 25,000 and completing tasks.
@Call also uses Telegram Stars. Features of the mini-app include schedule management and link building for online meetings. Users can purchase a subscription using Stars to access detailed notifications and personalized settings. The app also syncs with Google Calendar for reminders.
Gatto is another mini-app that uses Telegram Stars. It is a Tamagotchi-style pet simulator where users take care of virtual creatures called Gattomons. In Gatto, you can use Stars to purchase digital goods such as Gattomon eggs, pet clothes, and premium tickets.
Telegram Stars technical implementation
Telegram offers API for bots that allows merchants to accept payments for goods and services directly in messenger via special invoices. These invoices can be sent to any chat, including groups and channels, and contain a payment button that activates the payment interface within the app. Payments are made exclusively in Telegram Stars currency.
To work with this API, you need to register a bot via @BotFather, after which the bot will be able to generate and send invoices, as well as process payments.
Telegram Stars Buying Guide
To purchase Stars, users can use the built-in payment systems of Google Play or the App Store, via @DurgerKingBot, and via @PremiumBot.
Stars are offered in various quantities ranging from 50 to 2,500 pieces, with prices varying depending on the user's location and the chosen method of purchase.
- Via the App Store and Google Play:
- In the Telegram app: «Settings» → «Telegram Stars».
- Select the number of Starts needed.
- Complete the action via the App Store or Google Play in-app payment systems.
- Via @PremiumBot:
- Open a chat with @PremiumBot in the Telegram app.
- Follow the bot's instructions to select the number of Stars and complete the purchase.
- Via @DurgerKingBot:
- In the Telegram app, open a chat with @durgerkingbot, click on the «Start» button to activate it.
- After the bot responds, select the «Order Food» option.
- A menu will be presented, the Cake section will be in the top left corner. Click on the green «Buy» button next to it.
- This will open a new menu where the option to buy Stars will be available.