Telegram’s blockchain-based platform facilitated the launch of Snoop Dogg’s latest NFT collection, which sold out in under 30 minutes, generating millions in sales according to Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
In Brief
- Nearly 1 million NFTs inspired by Snoop Dogg sold out in under 30 minutes.
- The collection was minted and sold using Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem.
- Durov tweeted that blockchain minting and secondary market features would go live in three weeks.
The NFT drop represented a significant milestone for Telegram’s blockchain implementation, with over one million unique digital assets sold via the app’s “Send a Gift” feature using the platform’s native cryptocurrency.
“It’s going to be wild,” Telegram founder Pavel Durov tweeted as he acknowledged the record-breaking sale.
Each NFT, priced between 200 to 15,000 Telegram stars, was inspired by Snoop Dogg’s distinctive style from his latest track “Gifts,” which was released simultaneously on YouTube. The Telegram ecosystem integrates blockchain functionality directly into messaging, enabling NFT functions like minting and trading within its standard chat interface.
Demonstrating Enduring NFT Appeal
Analysts highlight the sale’s significance beyond Snoop Dogg’s celebrity status. According to Ryan Yoon, senior analyst at Tiger Research, the collection exemplifies how certain NFT categories “continue to thrive” despite the broader market downturn since its 2021 peak.
Air drop NFTs and utility-based collectibles with functional applications have maintained traction in the fragmented market. Experts note Snoop’s collection demonstrates both collector appeal and utility mechanisms, marking it as “more than a simple collaboration” but rather “aggressive, multi-channel marketing execution.”
The sale underscores Telegram’s growing position in the Web3 space. Just two weeks prior, The Open Platform (TOP), the infrastructure builder behind the Telegram Open Network, surpassed a $1 billion valuation driven by increasing mini-app adoption, wallet integration, and NFT activity.
Telegram’s integrated NFT functionality—allowing users to mint, trade, and display digital assets within the core messaging app—creates a seamless user experience that rivals on-chain platforms. This design choice has established the app as a hub for the “degen” community, providing genuine value through features like profile customization and status displays.
Telegram’s Blockchain Strategy
Durov’s comments suggest the Telegram blockchain ecosystem is actively maturing beyond its cryptocurrency roots. By testing NFT functionality through high-profile drops from recognizable figures, Telegram validates its “Telegram Bridge” to Launchpad (TBL) platform for hosting production-level blockchain applications.
The rapper’s involvement tapped into a large existing fanbase while the collection’s themes—a humorous yet sympathetic portrayal of “Mr. Moneybag” Durov and Snoop’s “crip-walking capitalist” character—resonated with Telegram’s hip-hop aligned community.
News analysis is based on cryptocurrency data, marketplace activity, and platform announcements.
