We are surrounded by neural networks, voice assistants, practically self-driving cars, cryptocurrencies and much more. But there is one very interesting point that I would like to talk about. At the dawn of Telegram, no one thought that it could become one of the most popular instant messengers not only in Russia, but throughout the world. Time passed, the popularity grew just like the functionality of the application. We received not only stickers and secret chats, but also channels writing on completely different topics, from tips on caring for plants to tips on buying stocks. Bots were added to the channels, which learned to perform many useful functions, check spelling, download videos from a link, send weather forecasts, etc.
But what next? Is it possible to further expand the functionality of the application? Can! And now, using a real example, you will learn how. Initially, the WeChat application acted as a messenger, on par with WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram. But then it acquired so much functionality that it began to replace many other familiar things. For example, each WeChat user has his own wallet, which he tops up and can spend money on anything. Need to pay for a taxi or buy plane/train tickets? Or maybe pay for a hotel, a movie or a haircut at a beauty salon? All these actions have simple mechanics and one application. Open the application, select a card or payment in a specific store and bring it to the reader. That's all. Agree, it’s very convenient when such opportunities are collected in one place.
The delights of WeChat don't end there! Not long ago there was news that this application will replace official documents. The WeChat ID pilot program, which allows the creation of virtual ID documents that can be used in the same way as official ones (issued by government agencies), was launched in Guangzhou on December 25. It is planned that the program will be expanded throughout the country in January 2018. That is, not only can you pay utility bills and make an appointment with the doctor using this application, but you can no longer carry documents with you! Perfect! After all, by and large, you get rid of such inconveniences as:-Fake money -Change -Line at the checkout -Additional commissionBut it is worth noting that the currency used is real. You link your card and use its balance. It’s interesting, but good old currency brings things back down to earth a little. Is it possible to change this too? Can!
2018 began with loud news: “Telegram goes to ICO and launches its cryptocurrency Gram!” Lots of difficult words? Now everything will become clear. ICO (Initial coin offering) - initial coin offering. What does this mean? The project issues special coupons called “Tokens” and in the future they can be used to pay for the services of this site, instead of money. As a rule, ICOs are aimed at attracting additional capital and accelerating the implementation of a project using raised funds. On January 22, a preliminary collection of applications for the ICO took place and the Telegram messenger collected applications for 3.8 billion dollars! It seems to me that the idea of launching an analogue of WeChat only with its own currency and extensive capabilities is very real and not so bad! Now I’ll tell you about Gram itself. This will be the name of the currency itself and it will be possible to pay with it. A total of 5 billion Grams will be issued. Of these, 2.2 billion will be sold publicly, 2.6 will remain as a stabilization fund against speculation on the exchange rate, and another 200 million will be taken by the messenger developers. Starting approximately from 2020, another 100 million Grams will be issued per year. An interesting document TON Whitepaper has also appeared on the Internet, explaining some aspects of the work of TON (Telegram Open Network). White Paper (WP) is a document that should help the client make an informed decision in favor of a company or a specific product. Here are the development plans promised in the WP of the TON project: The basis of the virtual economy of the Telegram Open Network (TON) will be Gram coins. They can be used both internally and externally. A full-fledged micropayment system is planned, available to both Telegram users and third-party services. Funds will be circulated through TON wallets. The TON Blockchain architecture will allow millions of transactions per second. For comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum have 7 and 15 transactions per second. By 2021, all main TON services will be created and fully operational. At this point, the project will change its name from Telegram Open Network to The Open Network and management of the “new TON” will pass into the hands of the TON Foundation. Impressive? Us too! Just imagine, you no longer take out your wallet and card when paying in stores, pay for delivery not through the terminal, but using a special link, code, message from a bot, transfer any amounts to each other with a minimum commission, no delays, pay for goods in online stores. You can find a lot of applications. It is quite possible that you will already pay for one of your next ordered Digital projects using the Gram currency! Maxim Efimtsev/ Digital manager at Eventum Premo
