Telegram launched a test network of its blockchain

Telegram messenger launched a test network of its TON blockchain, on which tokens worth $ 1.7 billion will be issued after the official launch.

Developers and interested users will be able to independently launch network nodes and validation nodes or view information about blocks created in the blockchain. Earlier it was reported that the launch of the TON test network will take place on September 1, but for unnamed reasons, the start of testing was delayed.

According to Mitya Goroshevsky, technical director of TON Labs, a developer of developer tools, now there are about 100 nodes supported by Telegram in the TON test network. A few more nodes are supported by a startup, which at the beginning of 2018 raised more than $ 1.7 billion during the ICO.

“The source code has been released for a complete node that can access the test network, create and test blocks. The light client was released a few months ago. TON Labs will release a demo version of its developer tools on Monday, ”said Goroshevsky.

It is expected that the launch of the main Telegram Open Network will take place no later than October 31 this year. Blockchain validators will be node holders with a large number of TON tokens. In this case, the blockchain will be compatible with applications created on the basis of Ethereum.

Recently, the research non-profit organization The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported that the Telegram messenger is often used by terrorists to raise funds in cryptocurrencies.