A new project called TON Applications Chain (TAC) is building a layer-2 network for the TON Blockchain ecosystem, known for its affiliation with the popular messaging app Telegram.

The project, which is backed by The Open Platform, an investor focused on the TON blockchain ecosystem, will rely on technology from the Ethereum-focused layer-2 developer Polygon, according to a press release. The team made the announcement on Tuesday at the Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC) in Brussels, Belgium.

A key feature of the TAC project is that it will be compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, which is akin to the Ethereum blockchain's operating system. Such compatibility is crucial because developers who have built applications under the widespread Ethereum standard could easily port over to the new TAC layer-2 network within the TON ecosystem.

According to a press release shared with CoinDesk, TAC is “designed to enable EVM-based decentralized applications to TON’s ecosystem” while also allowing Ethereum developers to build new programs for Telegram’s users.

The project's arrival could facilitate development of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications within the TON ecosystem as well as gaming and decentralized identity solutions, according to the press release.

The new layer-2 network will make use of Polygon’s Chain Development Kit (CDK), a customizable toolkit that lets developers create their own layer-2 blockchains based off of Polygon’s zero-knowledge technology, as well as Polygon’s AggLayer, their interoperability layer for solving blockchain fragmentation.

“We chose to build on the Polygon ecosystem for its EVM compatibility, seamless availability of liquidity from EVM chains via AggLayer, comprehensive deployment support, and Polygon's EVM expertise,” Pavel Altukhov, founder of TAC, said to CoinDesk in an emailed statement. “The vibrant community surrounding Polygon was also a crucial factor in our decision.”

The news comes as other major blockchain companies have pursued their own layer-2 networks over the past year, though primarily atop Ethereum.

In August, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase launched its “Base” blockchain with Optimism’s OP Stack atop Ethereum, kicking off the trend. Since then, protocols like Celo and Worldcoin have shared their plans to launch layer-2 rollups with OP Stack atop Ethereum, and cryptocurrency exchange OKX also released an Ethereum layer-2 in April called “X Layer” with Polygon’s CDK.

CORRECTION (18:15 UTC): Corrects to show that the new project is being developed by TON Applications Chain, not the team behind the TON blockchain, as stated in an earlier version of the story.)

TON Coin layer 2 Polygon Telegram Open Network

Margaux Nijkerk

Margaux Nijkerk reports on the Ethereum protocol and L2s. A graduate of Johns Hopkins and Emory universities, she has a masters in International Affairs & Economics. She holds a small amount of ETH and other altcoins.