Adsgram
Adsgram is an innovative advertising solution integrated into Telegram’s vast ecosystem, designed to empower creators of mini-applications by enabling them to monetize their efforts effectively. Anchored on TON (The Open Network) Blockchain, this platform rewards developers with $TON cryptocurrency for embedding ads in their Telegram mini-apps. Unveiled on June 25, 2024, by TON Foundation, Adsgram tackles a critical need for sustainable income streams among mini-app developers, leveraging blockchain technology to streamline monetization in a way distinct from conventional ad networks.
Background and Development
The genesis of Adsgram traces back to Vadim Sterlin, a developer who gained prominence with Fanton GameBot, a football-inspired mini-app launched in 2023. Frustrated by the scarcity of reliable monetization avenues-beyond sporadic ad deals or user payments-Sterlin envisioned a dedicated ad system for Telegram’s mini-app creators. Early in 2024, he secured a $50,000 grant from TON Foundation to bring this vision to life. After months of coding and testing, Adsgram debuted on June 25, 2024, integrating seamlessly with TON Blockchain to ensure secure, efficient payouts. By February 10, 2025, the platform boasted 8 million daily ad views, a figure shared via its Telegram channel, signaling swift uptake among Telegram’s 950 million-strong user base, as noted in TON Foundation updates from January 2025.
Core Features
Adsgram equips Telegram mini-app developers with a versatile advertising framework, distinct from the channel-centric system Telegram offers. Developers can weave in various ad types, such as:
- 15-second rewarded videos that entice users with in-app bonuses.
- Subtle banners tucked into app layouts.
- Full-screen interstitials users can dismiss after five seconds.
These options strike a balance between keeping users engaged and driving revenue.
The platform runs on a cost-per-thousand-impressions (CPM) payment system, with rates fluctuating by region. In January 2025, developers in emerging markets earned 0.5 $TON per thousand views, while those targeting North America or Western Europe fetched up to 2 $TON, according to Adsgram’s developer portal. Payments zip through TON Blockchain, arriving almost instantly with fees as low as 0.1 $TON per transfer—a stark contrast to slower, costlier fiat-based networks.
Advertisers benefit from sharp targeting tools, narrowing audiences by location, device type (Android or iOS), language, OS version, or Telegram Premium status, which heightens ad impact. Meanwhile, developers tap into a real-time dashboard showcasing impressions, click rates averaging 2-3%, conversions, and fill rates hovering near 95% due to robust demand. This data empowers creators to fine-tune ad placements, amplifying both earnings and user satisfaction, all underpinned by TON’s decentralized infrastructure.
Team Composition
Vadim Sterlin drives Adsgram as its co-founder, drawing on his success with FanTonGameBot, which attracted over half a million players by mid-2024. His crew of 20-plus includes veterans from Microsoft (Azure contributors), Google (ex-AdSense innovators), and Yandex (regional ad specialists). Their combined skills have forged a platform that thrives within Telegram’s unique mini-app landscape.
Influence and Feedback
Adsgram has reshaped how Telegram mini-app developers sustain their projects. By February 2025, more than 300 mini-apps, including Gamee (a casual gaming staple) and Fanton Fantasy Football (a sports strategy title), had embraced the platform. Developers with 50,000 daily users typically net 10-15 $TON daily, offering a robust alternative to in-app sales. A January 30, 2025, update from Fanton Fantasy Football credited Adsgram for a 20% revenue jump in early 2025.
The platform’s $TON integration ties into TON’s rising prominence, especially after TON Foundation’s January 20, 2025, announcement naming TON the sole blockchain for Telegram mini-apps. A CryptoTvplus report from January 15, 2025, linked Adsgram to a 12% spike in TON transactions in late 2024. Despite TON’s $18 billion market cap dwarfed by Ethereum’s $1.2 trillion, Adsgram bolsters TON’s relevance in Telegram’s orbit.
Some developers, however, flag risks of user annoyance from frequent ads. Responding to this, Adsgram capped displays at three per session in a December 2024 update, aiming to preserve engagement.
Collaborations
TON Foundation anchors Adsgram’s journey, supplying initial funding and technical aid via TON’s developer network. This alliance leverages TON Connect, set to be Telegram’s exclusive wallet protocol by February 21, 2025, per TON Foundation statements. Partnerships with Gamee and Fanton Fantasy Football showcase practical success, while a January 2025 deal with TON Accelerator aims to integrate 50 more mini-apps by mid-2025.