Telegram’s Major Update for 2025: NFT Gifts, Decentralized Account Verification, and More

Key Takeaways

• Telegram rolled out its first major update for 2025.
• A highlight of the update is the introduction of NFT gifts, allowing users to convert gifts into collectibles.
• The messaging app also launched a decentralized third-party verification system.

Telegram has kicked off 2025 with a major update  that integrates Web3 capabilities into its messaging app.

This latest update focuses on features like NFT gifts, a decentralized account verification system, and improvements to message search and user customization.

Telegram Launches NFT Gifts Feature

Telegram’s new NFT gift feature allows users to transform digital gifts into unique collectibles.

Once upgraded, these gifts can be shared, traded, or auctioned on NFT platforms. Upgrades unlock personalization options, such as unique icons and background colors, creating one-of-a-kind digital items.

The platform has enabled over 20 existing gifts—such as Homemade Cake, Spiced Wine, and Santa Hat—for NFT conversion, resulting in more than 1,400 potential unique collectibles.

Users pay a small fee to upgrade gifts on Telegram Stars. The new update is another layer to Telegram’s Web3 offerings, catering to users interested in digital ownership and collectibles.

Decentralized Verification: A New Approach to Online Security

Telegram is expanding its verification system by allowing third-party organizations to verify accounts on its platform.

This decentralized approach assigns additional icons to accounts verified by external services, distinguishing them from the traditional checkmarks Telegram assigns to public figures and organizations.

The update is intended to address rising concerns about misinformation and impersonation, offering users an additional layer of assurance when interacting with verified accounts.

Telegram’s 2025 update follows the company’s announcement of turning profitable  in late 2024.

Revenue from premium subscriptions, privacy-oriented ads, Telegram Stars, and other features helped the platform achieve this milestone.