How Telegram Built the Super App Silicon Valley Couldn't

While Silicon Valley giants like Meta and Elon Musk failed to create successful super apps despite massive investments, Telegram achieved this goal through crypto-based applications and viral gaming. The messaging platform leveraged tap-to-earn games like Hamster Combat and Notcoin to attract millions of users, then expanded into payments and trading through mini apps within its ecosystem. Unlike WeChat's years-long development process, Telegram accomplished this transformation in months by building on blockchain infrastructure and user engagement from addictive games.