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Viral Telegram game Notcoin, in partnership with DeFi platform 1inch and on-chain attestation protocol Sign, announced Wednesday the launch of Triangle, a new accelerator program aimed at supporting developers building on the Telegram messaging platform and The Open Network (TON).
Triangle seeks to bridge crypto and traditional technology, leveraging Telegram's 900 million active users to drive mass adoption of crypto applications. It will offer “essential resources, guidance, and a community of experienced builders” to participants, per a press release.
It will focus on areas including TON infrastructure, decentralized finance, and consumer applications bridging “Web2” and Web3. Mentors include executives from Sign, 1inch, and the TON Foundation.
"Triangle naturally emerges and evolves from Notcoin's success, adding deeper value and engagement for its user base," said Kirill Malev, junior partner at The Open Platform (TOP), a firm focused on TON development. "With Telegram's extensive user base and seamless integration of crypto functionalities, we are uniquely positioned to onboard millions to Web3."
Notcoin kick-started the current Telegram tap-to-earn gaming craze, launching the year’s biggest gaming token in May after attracting 35 million players to the game. Successive Telegram-based games have reached even wider audiences, with Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov saying last week that Hamster Kombat has racked up 236 million users.
This isn’t the first accelerator program that Notcoin has thrown its weight behind. Last week, the game’s developers announced a Telegram gaming-centric accelerator in partnership with AI-driven analytics firm Helika.
A TOP representative confirmed to Decrypt that they are separate initiatives; Triangle isn’t strictly gaming-focused, plus the rep noted that it is designed as a “builders' community with an initial accelerator program.”
Triangle is accepting applications until August 10, and the six-week mentorship program will culminate in a demo day for participants to showcase their progress to investors and partners.
Editor’s note: This article was written with the assistance of AI. Edited and fact-checked by Andrew Hayward.