In 2025, the Telegram ecosystem continues to surprise with new opportunities for users, and one of the hottest trends is digital gifts. Launched in November 2024, this feature is rapidly gaining popularity, attracting both casual users and investors. With a total gift market capitalization of $19.3 million and a trading volume of $10 million, this market is becoming a true “gem” for those seeking new ways to earn in the crypto industry. In this article, we’ll explore what digital gifts are, how they work, the earning opportunities they offer, and why their popularity continues to grow.
Contents:
- What Are Digital Gifts in Telegram?
- History and Development of the Gift Market
- How Does Tonnel Marketplace Work?
- Top Gift Models and Their Costs
- Ways to Earn with Gifts
- Risks and Pitfalls
- Prospects for the Gift Market in 2025
- Additional Resources
- Conclusion: Are Gifts Worth Investing In?
What Are Digital Gifts in Telegram?
Digital gifts in Telegram are unique tokenized assets that users can send to each other in chats. These are collectible NFTs (non-fungible tokens) created on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. Gifts were introduced as part of Telegram’s 2024 update, when the platform began actively integrating Web3 functionality.
Each gift has a unique design, rarity, and characteristics (e.g., background, pattern, model), making it collectible. Users can:
- Purchase gifts using Telegram Stars (an in-app currency tied to $TON).
- Send them to friends in chats.
- Upgrade gifts, transforming them into collectible NFTs.
- Sell or trade them on marketplaces like Tonnel Marketplace (Tonnel).
Gifts quickly gained traction due to their uniqueness and earning potential. For example, the first rare models released in November 2024 cost just 15 Stars (about $0.2) but have since increased in value by 100 times, reaching hundreds or thousands of dollars.
History and Development of the Gift Market
Digital gifts debuted in Telegram in November 2024, when the platform launched initial models starting at low prices. Gifts like Plush Pepe or Desk Calendar were initially seen as a fun way to interact in chats but quickly became objects of speculation. Within months, the value of some models surged hundreds of times, drawing attention from investors and media.
By April 2025, the gift market reached impressive milestones:
- Total trading volume: $10 million on Tonnel Marketplace.
- Total gift capitalization: $19.3 million.
- Popularity: More Telegram users are discovering gifts, and media outlets are actively covering the trend with reports and articles.
The rise in popularity is tied to Telegram’s integration with the TON blockchain, which became the 15th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization in 2025. This provided a robust infrastructure for trading NFT gifts, with Tonnel Marketplace emerging as the key platform for buying and selling.
How Does Tonnel Marketplace Work?
Tonnel Marketplace (Tonnel) is the primary platform for trading digital gifts in Telegram.
It allows users to:
- Buy and sell gifts via a Telegram bot.
- Place limit orders to purchase rare models at lower prices.
- View gift characteristics, including model, background, pattern, and rarity.
Example Workflow:
- You find a rare gift, such as a Desk Calendar with the Adult Tasks model on a black background, priced at $1,000.
- You place a limit order to buy it for $500, hoping someone lists it at a lower price by mistake.
- If the deal goes through, you can resell the gift for a higher price, profiting from the difference.
Tonnel Marketplace also provides statistics: daily high-value sales, like Plush Pepe ranging from $1,200 to $12,000, demonstrate the market’s activity. Even gifts with larger supplies can become “gems” if their rarity or characteristics make them unique.
Top Gift Models and Their Costs
The Telegram gift market offers a wide range of models, from affordable to ultra-rare. Here are some examples:
- Plush Pepe: Initial cost: 2,000 Stars (~$30). Current price: $1,200–$12,000, depending on rarity.
- Desk Calendar (Adult Tasks, black background): Current price: from $1,000. Popular even among models with larger supplies.
- Sailor Moon Jewelry Box: Supply: 2,000 units. Feature: Currently the rarest gift, though upgrades are not yet available.
Note: Gift prices depend on rarity, determined by characteristics like model, background, and pattern. For instance, rare combinations, such as a Swiss Watch with a high Rarity Score (76.154/100), can command significantly higher prices (Tonnel).
Ways to Earn with Gifts
Digital gifts offer several earning opportunities:
- Reselling Rare Models: Buy gifts with high growth potential (e.g., Plush Pepe for $1,200) and resell them at a higher price as demand grows.
- Limit Orders: Use Tonnel Marketplace to buy gifts at undervalued prices. For example, a rare gift listed by mistake for $500 can be resold for $2,000.
- Participating in Giveaways: Many Telegram Mini Apps (TMA) host gift giveaways. Participate to acquire rare models for free and sell them later.
- Content Creation: Active users launch themed channels and chats, earning through advertising or subscriptions.
Example of a Successful Trade:
A user who bought a Plush Pepe in November 2024 for 2,000 Stars ($30) sold it in April 2025 for $5,000, achieving a 166x return on investment.
Risks and Pitfalls
Despite the earning potential, the gift market comes with risks:
- Price Volatility: Gift values can plummet due to declining demand or the release of new models.
- Scams: Some TMA and third-party platforms may be unreliable. Use only trusted platforms like Tonnel Marketplace.
- Regulatory Risks: NFT trading may be restricted in some countries. Stay informed about your jurisdiction’s laws.
- Low Liquidity for Rare Models: Ultra-rare gifts, like the Sailor Moon Jewelry Box, may be hard to sell due to limited demand.
Tip: Invest only what you can afford to lose and diversify by purchasing gifts of varying rarity.
Prospects for the Gift Market in 2025
The digital gift market in Telegram is poised for growth, with several developments expected in 2025:
- Increased Capitalization: If the current trend continues, capitalization could reach $50 million by year-end.
- New Features: Telegram has announced plans to enable upgrades for rare gifts, potentially increasing their value.
- DeFi Integration: Gifts could become part of DeFi protocols on TON, allowing them to be used as collateral or staking assets.
- Growing Popularity: With Telegram’s user base exceeding 900 million, the gift market will attract more participants.
Example: Analysts predict that rare models, like the Sailor Moon Jewelry Box, could increase in value 5–10x after upgrade features are activated.
Additional Resources
- Why do you need Gifts in Telegram and how to buy them
- How to Safely Buy and Sell NFT Gifts on Tonnel Marketplace: A Complete Guide for Beginners
Conclusion: Are Gifts Worth Investing In?
With a trading volume of $10 million and a capitalization of $19.3 million, the Telegram gift market shows significant potential. Successful trades, like Plush Pepe rising from $30 to $5,000, demonstrate that substantial profits are possible with the right approach. However, risks such as price volatility, scams, and low liquidity for rare models can lead to losses.
Recommendations:
- Start with small investments to learn the market.
- Use trusted platforms like Tonnel Marketplace (Tonnel).
- Stay updated on Telegram and TON news to catch new opportunities.
- Diversify by purchasing gifts of different rarity and models.
Bottom Line: Digital gifts are a true “gem” of 2025, offering profit potential if approached wisely. You can buy Telegram Stars profitably and without KYC using the Split service. If you’ve already traded gifts, share your experience in the comments: which models were the most profitable? Did you buy the first gifts in November 2024?