TON's dream of an open network is hidden within TAC
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TON's dream of an open network is hidden within TAC
TAC holds a strong position in the TON ecosystem, as it is currently the only viable path to success on this chain.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Matt (defi/acc)
Translation: TechFlow
TON: From Dream to Harsh Reality
If you owned a crypto messaging app used by 1 billion people monthly, with 10 million paying for premium features, what would you do?
Most people wouldn’t say “launch a blockchain,” but if you consider WeChat as a super-app that lets you pay and use it like a wallet, moving in this direction makes sense—especially when the app isn't designed to be Meta’s (cough cough, WhatsApp) data harvesting tool and is rooted in an “anti-establishment” ethos.
TON was envisioned as an open network (hence the name) where people could use it as a payment layer within Telegram, enjoying the convenience of in-app wallets.
With the launch of the first crypto-focused mini-apps on Telegram like Notcoin, interest in TON surged. These apps attracted over 20 million users in a single month and rewarded them via airdrops.
By mid-2024, TON's DeFi ecosystem had nearly $800 million in total value locked (TVL), primarily distributed across decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and liquid staking solutions for its namesake gas token.
However, once the hype around the ecosystem and click-to-earn mini-apps faded, it seemed no one was interested in this "Telegram chain" anymore.
TON faces several challenges: foremost, its infrastructure isn't truly ready to support a large-scale ecosystem, and everything remains extremely fragmented. Developers and users operate on entirely different, disconnected frameworks, and most participants are just here for the trend.
But what if there’s a new way to make TON effective for everyone, especially in DeFi?
TIC, TAC, TON!
Meet TAC: a network extension for TON that expands its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It enables users to directly access EVM-based applications through their TON wallets—without managing multiple wallets or relying on traditional cross-chain bridges.
TAC tech stack - Source: TAC documentation
The goal is to create a seamless connection between TON and users via EVM-compatible mini-apps built on the TAC stack.
Technical Features
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TAC features an EVM Layer 1 chain built on CosmosSDK and Ethermint, secured by dPoS and Babylon Bitcoin staking. On this TAC EVM layer, EVM code is deployed and executed to support TON-native-like decentralized applications (dApps) within the TAC ecosystem;
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TON Adapter: a decentralized message routing layer operating on both TON and EVM sides, secured by a set of sequencers and TON LSTs using Proof of Stake;
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A decentralized sequencer network ensuring secure message passing between TON and the TAC EVM chain. The system implements multi-layer validation: individual sequencers first validate transactions, followed by group consensus. The network requires 66% agreement within each group and cross-group verification. Validators and sequencers stake tokens to contribute to the network’s economic security.
TAC Consensus Mechanism - Source: TAC documentation
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TAC offers a flexible approach to using or developing proxy smart contracts across both TON and EVM networks. These proxy contracts handle all complex message routing in the background, making EVM applications feel more native to TON users. When a user wants to interact with an EVM app, they simply use their TON wallet as usual—the proxy contract handles the rest.
How TAC Works
Here's how user on-chain operations proceed smoothly:
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The user connects their TON wallet to an application and interacts with it. A TAC proxy contract deployed on TON processes this interaction by locking the user’s assets in an adapter wallet and generating a message. Once this step is complete, sequencers begin monitoring the transaction.
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The sequencer network takes over message processing. They reach consensus within groups and across other groups. Once the process is complete, the message moves into the execution phase.
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The transaction is verified and executed on the EVM side. After execution, all results are confirmed in the user’s wallet.
TAC Workflow - Source: TAC Documentation
TAC Ecosystem
TAC is learning from TON’s experience by creating mini-apps that let users perform actions such as swapping assets on EVM-compatible protocols.
Take the Curve bot, for example, which allows you to swap assets directly from your TON wallet. While this mini-app is still on testnet, it demonstrates real-world use cases for TAC.
Turtle Club
This protocol allows you to deposit funds into vaults to maximize yields and points across multiple partners in the TAC ecosystem.
Currently, Turtle Club is the main protocol on TAC, with over $176 million in total value locked (TVL) across all vaults. It supports deposits from Ethereum and will be able to interact with the TON Adapter Core once the mainnet launches.
Turtle Club has numerous protocol and curator partners and is popular among yield farmers due to its attractive returns and points multipliers.
If you're looking for stable yields in the current market, Turtle Club is one of the top choices, offering solid liquidity and additional points rewards.
Please note risks—full transparency: I have no affiliation with the protocol, and always recommend doing your own research (DYOR).
My Take on TAC
I believe TAC is on the right track, bridging the gap with EVM users and making TON relevant again while addressing the shortcomings the chain has faced over the past year. Mini-apps and dApps like Turtle Club act as effective “Trojan horses,” driving broader adoption through points programs, incentives, and user-friendly interfaces.
The technical aspects of TAC are also compelling, as no one has successfully attempted something like this before.
That said, there’s still much work to be done, especially regarding mini-apps and the broader ecosystem. However, initiatives like the Kaito Yappers program are helping close the gap with users who haven’t yet realized the technology and its potential impact.
I think TAC occupies a strong position within the TON ecosystem, as it may currently be the only viable path to success for the chain. It could soon become the new standard for non-EVM chains expanding into the EVM ecosystem.
While users still have a long way to go before becoming true members of the TAC community, a spark of hope has been lit. The team must carefully design solutions to retain new users while avoiding ecosystem fragmentation or turning it into a mercenary playground—as TON experienced last year.
Keep moving forward, and happy Easter to all!
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@mattdotfi
