Telegram introduces built-in crypto wallet, bringing its users into mainstream blockchain
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Global messaging giant Telegram has launched its integrated TON Wallet to its users, beginning the roll out for its US customers.The Open Network (TON) is a decentralised, layer-1 blockchain platform developed by the Telegram team, led by the Durov brothers, to create a highly scalable and user-friendly blockchain ecosystem integrated with the Telegram app.With the new feature, American users can send, receive and manage cryptocurrencies, including Toncoin (TON), USDT, Bitcoin, and other tokens directly inside the Telegram app, without any additional downloads or browser extensions.This makes Telegram the first mass-market social app in the US to offer a self-custodial crypto wallet.Some of the key features include instant peer-to-peer crypto transfers within Telegram chats, token swaps, staking and built-in trading tools, zero-fee crypto purchases via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or cards, and access to TON's expanding ecosystem of decentralised 'Mini Apps'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Who is Ursula von der Leyen? President of the European Commission announces trade deal with US; calls it huge
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission's president since 2019, is the first woman to hold the position. She was chosen by national leaders to lead the EU through difficult times, and the European Parliament elected her to a second five-year term. She will serve as the Commission's leader until 2029. She speaks on behalf of the Commission in meetings of the European Council, G7 and G20 summits, summits with non-EU nations, and significant discussions in the European Parliament and Council. Why is the EU head in news? Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump struck a 'good deal' on Sunday to prevent the bloc from being slapped by punishing tariffs, as both leaders praised it. The stakes were high, with a deadline of August 1st approaching and a $1.9 trillion transatlantic commercial relationship at stake 'Together, the EU and the US are a market of 800 million people. And nearly 44 percent of global GDP. It's the biggest trade deal ever,' she said in a latest tweet. The leaders agreed that the 27-country bloc will pay a baseline charge of 15 percent instead of the threatening 30 percent, which will be a relief to many European businesses. However, not everyone will be satisfied with the agreement. The EU, on the other hand, has promised to invest an additional $600 billion in the US and buy $750 billion worth of American energy. Trump was prepared to increase the 10% duty to 30% if an agreement could not be reached by August 1.
Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Elon Musk opens a Tesla Diner in Los Angeles: Here's all you need to know about the retro-futuristic spot that's a peak Tesla tech experience
A humanoid robot serving popcorn on the roof deck, Cybertruck-themed food containers, a drive-in movie theater, and Tesla technology everywhere. Welcome to Tesla Diner & Drive-In, a new hotspot recently opened in Santa Monica, an upscale neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. Opened just last week, the diner is already drawing hundreds of visitors eager to experience the new 'retro-futuristic' restaurant that also serves as a charging station for Tesla EVs, with 80 Superchargers available in its parking lot. Elon Musk, owner of Tesla had been planning the diner since 2018. The Tesla Diner & Drive-In blends the nostalgic charm of a 1950s-style American diner with cutting-edge Tesla innovation. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, it's open 24/7 and features both indoor and outdoor seating for up to 250 guests. But the Tesla Diner isn't meant to be just another American restaurant. It's been marketed as a 'retro-futuristic' drive-in experience , a place where you can enjoy a burger, watch classic films on giant screens, and charge your Tesla, all at the same time. It is a high-concept diner that combines Tesla technology under one roof. The diner is one of Musk's futuristic projects, though not as ambitious as putting humans on Mars or developing brain implants. Still, it's clear that the LA diner is intended as a clever marketing exercise for Tesla, whose car sales have continued to decline quarter after quarter. You don't need to own a Tesla EV to enjoy a meal at the diner, which helps extend the brand's appeal beyond just Tesla enthusiasts. Many of the customers drawn to the diner have been adults and new parents with babies. As guests enter the diner, they are greeted by servers on roller skates, who roll up offering ice cream samples. The drive-in projector plays the 1960s animated sitcom The Jetsons, a show that presented a vision of the future, complete with flying cars and a robotic housekeeper. Guests can order items from a kiosk at the counter. The menu, created by chef Eric Greenspan, features classic diner staples such as fried chicken and waffles, grilled cheese, and tuna melts, along with special themed items like the 'Tesla Burger' with 'Electric Sauce.' Prices range from $4 for a side of fries to $15 for biscuits and red gravy. The prices are neither too high nor too low but reflect typical LA standards. However, many diners were unimpressed with the food, calling it 'mediocre.' There were also complaints about long lines to enter the diner, which were reportedly caused by a technical glitch. Tesla's branding is visible throughout the diner, reflected in both the decor and overall atmosphere. The restaurant features a 360-degree rooftop, accessible via an all-white curved staircase lined with display cases showcasing robots. The rooftop offers comfortable seating and great views of the movie screens. At the bar is a Diner shop, where guests can purchase $40 Tesla Diner T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. Nearby, there is a popcorn stand which is operated by Optimus, Tesla's humanoid robot. As soon as the diner opened in Los Angeles, videos of the place went viral across X, YouTube, and Reddit. Although Elon Musk is a controversial figure and not everyone agrees with what he says, that didn't stop hard-core Tesla fans and the general public from flocking to the retro-futuristic diner in the heart of Hollywood. Many, in fact, showed up in their Cybertrucks, hoping to make use of the brand-new Supercharger site. Should the diner become successful, Elon Musk posted on its social media platform X, the LA Diner will be the first among many. Tesla's swankily retro-infused diner is only available in Los Angeles, but as Musk indicated, he might open more diners around the world if the existing location proves to be a hit with local residents. Tesla is already selling its EVs in India, with its first store recently opened in Mumbai. A store in Delhi is also in the works and could open toward the end of July. Anuj Bhatia is a personal technology writer at who has been covering smartphones, personal computers, gaming, apps, and lifestyle tech actively since 2011. He specialises in writing longer-form feature articles and explainers on trending tech topics. His unique interests encompass delving into vintage tech, retro gaming and composing in-depth narratives on the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. He covers major international tech conferences and product launches from the world's biggest and most valuable tech brands including Apple, Google and others. At the same time, he also extensively covers indie, home-grown tech startups. Prior to joining The Indian Express in late 2016, he served as a senior tech writer at My Mobile magazine and previously held roles as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. Anuj holds a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. Email: ... Read More
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Europe and US doors shut, North Korean air hostesses welcome Russian guests after medical check as Moscow resumes Pyongyang flight
Russia has begun direct flights to North Korea as Moscow faces increasing travel restrictions from the West and Pyongyang seeks to revive its tourism industry post-pandemic. The first Moscow-to-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines , took off on Sunday, July 27, from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and landed in the North Korean capital after an eight-hour journey. According to Russia's transport ministry, the route will operate once a month, with the return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, as reported by CNN. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science MCA Project Management MBA Design Thinking PGDM Leadership Management Digital Marketing Others Data Analytics Product Management Cybersecurity Operations Management Data Science Healthcare Degree Artificial Intelligence Finance CXO Public Policy healthcare Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Also Read: How China's Shaolin 'CEO monk' suffered a great fall? Under probe for 'improper relationship' with women, illegitimate kids, and embezzlement The airline, which previously flew Russian tourists to European holiday destinations before EU sanctions banned Russian flights, priced tickets at 45,000 rubles ($570). Live Events An employee from Nordwind, speaking to Agence France-Presse, called the flight a 'historical event' but declined to share passenger numbers. 'For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,' said Russia's deputy transport minister, Vladimir Poteshkin, in a post on the ministry's Telegram channel. Russian arrival in North Korea The flight received a ceremonial welcome at Pyongyang Airport. The Russian delegation, led by Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov, who heads the Russian side of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between Russia and North Korea, was presented with flowers upon arrival. The CNN reported that around 400 passengers were on the flight. It was also noted that North Korean officials were checking temperatures with thermal guns. This suggests that their tourism sector, mostly backed by Chinese tourists, has not fully opened since the COVID-19 pandemic. And North Korea is gradually reopening to foreign visitors. Although general tourism remains limited, Pyongyang has recently allowed Russian group tours and hosted a marathon open to foreign athletes in April. Limited travel options for Russians Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Russian travelers have been barred from visiting destinations in Europe, Australia, and the United States. Sanctions and airspace bans have forced Russian airlines to look for alternative routes and destinations. As of 2025, Russian tourists' entry remains restricted. Most European countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, Finland, and Norway, have either banned or severely limited Russian tourists' entry. Schengen visas are harder to obtain, and even where they are granted, such as in France, Germany, or Italy, entry can be denied at land borders. The UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also maintain tight restrictions, with limited or delayed visa processing. Closer Moscow-Pyongyang ties In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launched a new beach resort on the country's east coast. Authorities reportedly hope the resort will attract 20,000 visitors annually. The new air route is another milestone in the diplomatic and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The two countries signed a mutual defense pact last year during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang. 'For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,' said Russia's deputy transport minister, Vladimir Poteshkin, in a post on the ministry's Telegram channel.
