The TON blockchain will launch a new layer-2 named the TON Applications Chain (TAC), based on Polygon’s technology solutions.

TON Applications Chain (TAC)

This new layer-2, called the TON Applications Chain (TAC), will leverage the infrastructure and technology of Polygon. This includes the CDK – Polygon’s layer-2 development toolkit, and AggLayer – a solution that connects different blockchains to address liquidity fragmentation.

Objectives of TAC

TAC is developed to integrate EVM applications and attract Ethereum developers to the TON ecosystem, especially to serve Telegram users. The project team shared:

“TAC significantly enhances liquidity and brings DeFi closer to TON users. Beyond DeFi, TAC will pave the way for a range of innovative applications on the TON blockchain, such as gaming and decentralized identity solutions.”

Layer-2 Trend

The decision to develop layer-2 for TON is not a new idea, as many other blockchain companies have pursued this over the past year. It started with Coinbase, the largest crypto exchange in the US, which launched the layer-2 Base based on Optimism’s OP Stack in July 2023. Since then, many others have followed suit, including OKX (X Layer), Celo, and Worldcoin.

Support from Telegram

Telegram has increasingly favored TON recently, even accepting the use of this token for revenue sharing in advertising. Tether has also supported the direct issuance of the USDT stablecoin on this platform.

Success of TON

A significant factor contributing to TON’s success is the Tap-to-Earn model, integrated directly with Telegram through applications like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat. The click-to-earn game Hamster Kombat currently has over 200 million players, although it has caused controversy in Iran.

The total value locked (TVL) of TON reached $317 million for the first time on May 27, increasing tenfold in just two months. TON is also one of the few coins that do not fluctuate significantly with the market, usually maintaining stability around the $7-7.3 range over the past month.

Toncoin (TON) price fluctuations in the last 1 month, screenshot of CoinMarketCap at 11:20 PM on July 9, 2024

Independent Effort

However, according to a spokesperson for the TON Foundation, this new layer-2 is an independent effort by a project within the TON ecosystem and is not related to the team behind The Open Network.

Source: Coin68