Blockchain
TON Blockchain Ecosystem to Get New Layer-2 Network Based on Polygon Technology
A new project called TON Applications Chain (TAC) is building a level 2 network for the TON Blockchain ecosystem, known for its affiliation with the popular messaging app Telegram.
The project, backed by The Open Platform, an investor focused on the TON blockchain ecosystem, will be based on technology from Ethereum-focused layer-2 developer Polygon, according to a press release. The team made the announcement Tuesday at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels, Belgium.
A key feature of the TAC project is that it will be compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, which is similar to the operating system of the Ethereum blockchain. This compatibility is crucial because developers who have built applications under the popular Ethereum standard could easily port them to the new TAC layer-2 network within the TON ecosystem.
According to a press release shared with CoinDesk, TAC is “designed to enable EVM-based decentralized applications to the TON ecosystem,” while also allowing Ethereum developers to create new programs for Telegram users.
According to the press release, the project’s arrival could facilitate the development of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications within the TON ecosystem, as well as gaming and decentralized identity solutions.
“We chose to build on the Polygon ecosystem because of its EVM compatibility, seamless liquidity availability from EVM chains via AggLayer, comprehensive deployment support, and Polygon’s EVM expertise,” Pavel Altukhov, founder of TAC, told CoinDesk in an email. “The vibrant community surrounding Polygon was also a key factor in our decision.”
The news comes as other major blockchain companies have been developing their own layer 2 networks over the past year, mostly on Ethereum.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase launched in August its blockchain “Base” with optimism OP stack on top of Ethereum, starting the trend. Since then, protocols like Heaven AND World currency have shared their plans to launch layer 2 rollups with OP Stack on Ethereum and also cryptocurrency exchange OKX Ethereum Layer-2 Released in April called “X Layer” with Polygon’s CDK.
CORRECTION (18:15 UTC): Corrects to show that the new project is being developed by TON Applications Chain, not the team behind the TON blockchain, as stated in an earlier version of the story.)