The open network dream of TON is hidden in TAC.

TAC occupies a strong position in the TON ecosystem, as it is currently the only viable path to success for the chain.

Compiled by: Deep Tide TechFlow

TON: From Dream to Harsh Reality

If you had a crypto messaging app with a billion monthly users, of which 10 million paid for premium features, what would you do?

Of course, you would launch a blockchain! The average person might not say this, but considering WeChat as an all-in-one app that allows payments and acts as a wallet, moving in this direction seems reasonable, especially when the app is not intended to be a data collection tool for Meta (cough, WhatsApp) and its core philosophy is "anti-establishment."

The TON chain was envisioned as an open network (hence its name) for people to use as a payment layer for Telegram users, allowing users to enjoy the convenience of an in-app wallet.

With the launch of the first crypto-focused mini-apps on Telegram, such as Notcoin, interest in TON surged rapidly. These apps attracted over 20 million users within a month and rewarded them through airdrops.

By mid-2024, the total value locked (TVL) in TON's DeFi ecosystem nearly reached $800 million, primarily distributed across decentralized exchanges (DEX) and liquid staking solutions for its namesake fuel token.

However, as the ecosystem and the craze for click-to-earn mini-apps faded, it seemed that no one was interested in this "Telegram chain" anymore.

TON faces several challenges: the main one being that its infrastructure is not truly ready to support a large ecosystem, and everything is extremely fragmented. Developers and users operate on completely different and unconnected frameworks, with most participants just riding the wave.

But what if there was a new way to make TON effective for everyone, especially in the DeFi space?

TIC, TAC, TON!

Introducing TAC: This is the network expansion of TON, enhancing its compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It allows users to access EVM applications directly through their TON wallets without managing multiple wallets or using traditional cross-chain bridges.

TAC Tech Stack - Source: TAC Documentation

Its goal is to create a seamless connection between TON and users through EVM-compatible mini-apps built on the TAC stack.

Technical Features

TAC has an EVM Layer 1 chain based on CosmosSDK and Ethermint, secured by dPoS and Babylon Bitcoin staking. On this TAC EVM layer, EVM code is deployed and executed to support TON-native decentralized applications (dApps) within the TAC ecosystem;
TON Adapter: A decentralized messaging routing layer on both TON and EVM sides, secured by a set of sequencers and TON LSTs through Proof of Stake;
A decentralized sequencer network that ensures secure messaging between the TON and TAC EVM chains. This system implements multi-layer validation: a single sequencer first validates the transaction, followed by group consensus. The network requires a 66% agreement within each group and cross-group validation. Validators and sequencers stake their tokens to contribute to the economic security of the network.

TAC's Consensus Mechanism - Source: TAC Documentation

TAC provides a flexible way to use or develop proxy smart contracts on both TON and EVM networks. These proxy contracts handle all the complex messaging routing in the background, making EVM applications feel more native to TON users. When users want to interact with EVM applications, they simply use their TON wallets as usual, and the proxy contracts take care of the rest.

How TAC Works

Here’s how user operations on the chain proceed smoothly:

Users connect their TON wallets to the application and interact with it. The TAC proxy contract deployed on TON handles this interaction by locking user assets in the adapter wallet and generating messages. Once this step is completed, the sequencers begin monitoring the transaction.
The sequencer network takes over message processing. They reach consensus within groups and between other groups. Once the process is complete, the message enters the execution phase.
The transaction is validated on the EVM side and enters the execution phase. Once execution is complete, all results are confirmed in the user's wallet.

TAC Workflow - Source: TAC Documentation

TAC's Ecosystem

TAC is leveraging the experience of TON by creating small applications that allow users to perform asset exchanges and other operations on EVM-compatible protocols.

For example, the Curve bot allows you to swap assets directly from your TON wallet. Although this mini-application is still in the testnet phase, it showcases the practical application scenarios of TAC.

Turtle Club

This protocol allows you to deposit funds into vaults to maximize yields and points across multiple partners in the TAC ecosystem.

Currently, Turtle Club is the main protocol on TAC, with a total value locked (TVL) of over $176 million across all vaults. It supports deposits from Ethereum and will interact with the TON Adapter Core once the mainnet is launched.

Turtle Club has numerous protocol and curator partners, making it popular among miners for its attractive yields and point multipliers.

If you are looking for stable returns in the current market, Turtle Club is one of the top choices, offering good liquidity and additional point rewards.

Please be aware of the risks; for transparency, I have no affiliation with this protocol and always recommend doing your own research (DYOR).

My Thoughts on TAC

I believe TAC is on the right path, making TON relevant again by bridging the gap with EVM users and addressing the shortcomings the chain faced over the past year. Mini-apps and decentralized applications (dApps) like Turtle Club serve as effective "Trojan horses," driving broader adoption through point programs, incentives, and user-friendly interfaces.

The technical aspects of TAC are also intriguing, as no one has successfully attempted something like this before.

That said, there is still much work to be done, especially regarding mini-apps and the broader ecosystem. However, the Kaito Yappers initiative is helping to bridge the gap with users who are still unaware of this technology and its potential impact.

I believe TAC occupies a strong position in the TON ecosystem, as it is currently the only viable path to success for the chain. It may soon become the new standard for non-EVM chains to expand into the EVM ecosystem.

While users have a long way to go before truly becoming members of the TAC community, the spark of hope has already been ignited. The team must carefully design solutions to retain new users while avoiding the fragmentation of the ecosystem or turning it into a mercenary paradise, as TON experienced last year.

Onward and happy Easter to everyone!

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