In 2024 and 2025, Telegram completely revolutionized in-app creator commerce by introducing Telegram Stars and expanding native The Open Network (TON) crypto support.
For channel creators, community managers, and signal callers, this introduced a critical question: Should you sell your subscriptions in Telegram Stars or TON Cryptocurrency?
The short answer: You should offer both side-by-side. In this guide, we break down the economics, user friction, conversion rates, and payout mechanisms of each method.
Side-by-Side Comparison Matrix
| Feature | ⭐ Telegram Stars | 💎 TON Crypto |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout Experience | 1-Tap Apple Pay / Google Pay | Tonkeeper / Telegram Wallet in 1 tap |
| Settlement Speed | 21-day hold before Fragment withdrawal | Instant (5 seconds) |
| Creator Payout Location | Fragment.com (cash out to TON or EUR) | Direct to your personal wallet address |
| Chargeback Risk | Near 0% (managed by Telegram) | 0% (Permanent on-chain finality) |
| Best Target Audience | Retail users with credit/debit cards | Crypto traders & international members |
| ChanPay Platform Fee | 0% Platform Fee | 0% Platform Fee |
Deep Dive: Telegram Stars (⭐)
Telegram Stars are Telegram’s native digital currency for digital goods and services. When a subscriber clicks a Stars button in your bot, a native Telegram checkout sheet slides up. They authorize the transaction with Face ID or Touch ID, and the subscription pass unlocks instantly.
Pros of Telegram Stars:
- Unrivaled Mobile Conversion: Users don't need to know what a blockchain wallet is or remember seed phrases. If they have an iPhone or Android phone, they can subscribe in 3 seconds.
- No Off-Platform Redirects: Users stay 100% inside Telegram without opening third-party web browsers.
Cons of Telegram Stars:
- 21-Day Holding Window: Telegram enforces a 21-day holding period before creators can withdraw Stars to TON via Fragment.com.
Deep Dive: TON Crypto (💎)
The Open Network (TON) is the native blockchain tightly integrated into Telegram. With ChanPay, when you enter your TON non-custodial wallet address, the bot generates a dynamic payment request linked directly to your wallet.
Pros of TON Crypto:
- Immediate Cash Flow: When someone buys a 10 TON pass, the 10 TON hits your private wallet in ~5 seconds. You do not wait 21 days.
- Zero Middleman Hold: No bank, processor, or platform can freeze your wallet or hold funds in escrow.
- Global Access: Anyone anywhere in the world can subscribe, even in regions without Apple Pay or international credit card support.
Data from high-volume channels shows that offering both options in a clean side-by-side row increases checkout conversion by up to 42%. Mobile-first retail buyers tap the Stars button with Apple Pay, while crypto traders tap the TON button to pay directly with Tonkeeper.
How ChanPay Renders the Hybrid Flow
ChanPay was designed specifically around this hybrid advantage. In your white-label bot, each subscription tier is presented with paired buttons:
[ ⭐ 1,000 Stars (90d) ] [ 💎 10.0 TON (90d) ]
[ ⭐ 2,500 Stars (365d) ] [ 💎 25.0 TON (365d) ]
Subscribers choose what works for their wallet, and your channel receives 100% of the funds with 0% platform cuts.
Start Accepting Stars & TON Today
Connect your channel in 3 minutes and let your subscribers pay with Apple Pay or TON directly inside your custom bot.
⚡ Launch ChanPay Free