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The developers behind Farm Frens, a popular Telegram-based game, have announced a delay in their FREN token airdrop. Originally it was meant to take place on Base, an Ethereum layer-2 network built by Coinbase. Still the team postponed the airdrop until February due to significant changes in Telegram’s policies around blockchain integrations. The game’s creators cited restrictive new rules favoring The Open Network (TON) as a major hurdle in their roadmap execution.
Why the Delay? Telegram’s Shift to TON Exclusivity
On January 21, Telegram revealed that all blockchain-integrated mini apps on its platform must exclusively operate on TON. The announcement was a disruption for Farm Frens and other developers, who were blindsided by these new requirements. According to a post from the Farm Frens team on X (formerly Twitter), they were given no prior notice of the decision.
“Mini app devs (like our team) did not receive any prior warning, and the heavy-handed restrictions also had unreasonable deadlines,” the post read. The developers criticized Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov, calling the policy shift hypocritical. They said it contradicted Durov’s original vision of decentralization and censorship resistance for Telegram.
Telegram’s new rules demand that any crypto-powered mini app on its platform must migrate entirely to TON within 30 days. If developers fail to comply, their apps will be disconnected from other blockchain protocols. Projects that do transition to TON may be eligible for grants of up to $50,000, depending on their audience size and prior collaboration with Telegram.
How Farm Frens Airpdrop Delay Was Justified
Despite the potential incentives, Farm Frens has decided not to migrate to TON. Instead, the team plans to temporarily remove on-chain functionality from its Telegram mini app while continuing development on other platforms. The developers reaffirmed their commitment to Base, describing it as a scalable and secure solution for their project. The game’s roadmap will proceed with adjustments that better align with this new platform strategy.
To maintain its blockchain-based rewards system, Farm Frens will spin off its wallet as a standalone app. Players will still have access to the FREN token airdrop, though through different means. The snapshot for airdrop eligibility was completed on January 20, and participants can expect more updates on the token’s release soon.
What is Farm Frens?
For those unfamiliar with Farm Frens, the game allows users to manage a virtual farm, growing crops, and enhancing animal helpers. It incorporates blockchain mechanics that reward players with the FREN token. This token will also be tied to another project from the same studio: Everseed, an upcoming tower defense game with its own NFT collection.
The integration of on-chain rewards in gaming has become increasingly popular in the Telegram ecosystem. Games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin have drawn hundreds of millions of users in the past year through their tap-to-earn and other play-to-earn models. However, the new TON-centric policies may challenge the growth of this ecosystem by limiting developers’ blockchain choices.
A Clash of Ideals
The TON blockchain has an interesting history with Telegram. Originally it was a a decentralized network for messaging, but in 2020 TON faced a legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since then, The Open Network Foundation reviewed the project and other independent developers. However, Telegram has recently reembraced TON, positioning it as the backbone for its crypto ecosystem.
Critics argue that the shift towards TON exclusivity contradicts Telegram’s early ethos. The Farm Frens developers expressed frustration over the abruptness of the change, stating that it forced them to revise their roadmap under tight deadlines. Telegram’s push to centralize blockchain activities around TON is seen by some as a move away from the open, decentralized principles the platform once championed.
What About The Others?
The effects of this new policy are already being felt across the Telegram mini app ecosystem. Developers who had integrated with other networks like Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain now face a difficult decision: migrate to TON or lose their blockchain-based features. While some teams may take advantage of Telegram’s financial support to make the switch, others, like Farm Frens, have opted to stay independent.
The broader implications of Telegram’s strategy are still unfolding. If successful, the move could strengthen the TON blockchain by consolidating a large number of apps and users under its umbrella. However, it may also stifle innovation by discouraging multi-chain compatibility and locking developers into a single protocol.
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Despite the setback, Farm Frens remains optimistic about its future. The game’s developers are exploring new platforms and alternative ways to deliver blockchain rewards to their players. The decision to stay on Base aligns with the project’s long-term vision of scalability and security, and the team is confident that they can overcome the challenges posed by Telegram’s policy shift.
Read Also: What Is Notcoin? The Telegram-Based Game, NOT Token, and Delayed Launch
For players, the FREN token airdrop is still on track, albeit delayed. As more details emerge, Farm Frens fans can expect updates on how to claim their rewards and continue their farming journey.Meanwhile, the crypto gaming community will be watching closely to see how other projects adapt to Telegram’s new rules. Will more developers follow Farm Frens and migrate to other platforms, or will they capitulate to TON’s exclusivity terms? One thing is certain: the battle between decentralization and control in the blockchain world is far from over.
