Why Everyone Is Talking About Telegram Mini Apps and How Not to Miss the Trend
Over the past few years, Telegram has gradually evolved from a messenger into a full-fledged ecosystem for business, affiliate product launches, and traffic arbitrage. One of the key tools to emerge is the Mini Apps format — web applications built on top of Telegram.
In this article, we explain how Telegram Mini Apps work, why they've caught the attention of iGaming players, and how affiliate services and tools are integrating into Telegram.
How Telegram Mini Apps Work
Telegram Mini Apps are applications that run within the messenger. They open in a separate window but operate inside Telegram. They are typically built using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. The majority of mini apps are developed on the TON blockchain and Web3 technologies.
Examples of TMA use cases in iGaming, e-commerce, and finance
Several core metrics are used to evaluate app performance. DAU and MAU indicate the number of active users per day and per month, respectively. Retention Rate shows how many users return to the app after their first session.
Session Length is the average time a user spends in the app. Conversion Rate reflects how many users completed target actions — such as registering or making a purchase. And LTV (Lifetime Value) shows how much revenue a single user generates over their entire time using the app.
The number of active users has now reached 1 billion, while TMA users have hit 500 million. The highest activity was recorded in crypto apps: Hamster Combat, Blum, Major, and others.
The platform supports the creation of HTML/JS applications via the WebApp API, as well as integration with the TON blockchain and Web3 functionality — from crypto wallets to NFTs. Mini Apps allow developers to accept payments in both fiat and cryptocurrency, and to implement microtransactions with no fees.
The Telegram Mini App Store lets developers promote their products directly within Telegram, but fees are unavoidable. If payment is processed through Google Play or the App Store, 15–30% of the transaction amount must be paid. Fees can only be avoided by using third-party payment systems — but this is prohibited under the messenger's terms.
Telegram Mini Apps for the iGaming Industry
Telegram Mini Apps have long attracted iGaming operators, thanks to the ability to spin slots directly inside the messenger without downloading separate apps — simplifying access for users.
In practice, however, the format hasn't always lived up to expectations: operators ran into issues with app blocking, low ROI, and technical limitations — such as the difficulty of accessing mini apps through Telegram's message-based structure.
Crypto casino BC.GAME launched a Telegram Mini App in 2024 called Coco Rush — a tap-to-earn style game where users can earn in-game coins and exchange them for cryptocurrency. The main drawbacks include regional restrictions and the absence of fiat payment support.
A growing number of affiliate services are also actively integrating into Telegram Mini Apps. This opens up new opportunities for automation, monitoring, and traffic management without the need to rely on external platforms.
The bot allows you to track statistics from Google Analytics.
Allows you to exchange cryptocurrency directly inside the messenger.
Offers monitoring of DAU/MAU, user retention, conversions, and other metrics for evaluating mini app performance.
TMA Monetization Case Studies
One of the most popular cases is the Catizen app — a popular mobile swipe-to-earn game where players earn bonuses for interacting with characters. The primary monetization model is in-app purchases, with an average revenue per paying user of $33.
The game has been installed 34 million times, with 800,000 of those converting to paying users, and total revenue reached $23 million. The strongest results came from the Asian and Latin American markets.
The second case is TMA — a collection of mini-games (Pop-it, Bingo, Screamer Challenge) localized into 16 languages for a global audience. Promotion was driven through Telegram Ads, influencers, and giveaways. Monetization was built around Monetag — using Rewarded Interstitial and Popup ad formats, along with in-app tasks with bonuses designed to drive engagement and user activity.
Over 8 months, the project attracted 63,000 users and generated $25,700 in revenue, with Southeast Asia and Latin America as the primary markets.
Telegram Mini Apps are gradually shaping a new ecosystem within the messenger, combining ease of access, Web3 functionality, and strong business potential. The format has already attracted interest from iGaming companies, affiliates, and developers — though it doesn't always live up to expectations.
