Inside Telegram's Gaming Revolution With TON Foundation & Mighty Bear

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For this week’s Tuesday episode, I interviewed Simon Davis, co-founder and CEO of Mighty Bear Games, and Martin Masser, head of growth at TON Foundation.

The two combined forces to shape the future of gaming and digital collectibles inside Telegram. Simon breaks down the story behind Mighty Action Heroes and why his studio pivoted to build on TON. Martin shares how TON-powered Telegram apps are quietly onboarding millions, often without users realizing they’re even interacting with crypto. The discussion covers the new wave of airdrop farming games, why collectibles and mini-apps matter, and what mass adoption in web3 could look like. Plus: advice on growth, why frictionless UX beats hype, and practical tips for breaking into crypto.

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:08 – What’s the REAL connection between Telegram and TON?
03:30 – How Simon and Martin got started in web3 & gaming
05:34 – What actually makes a good web3 game? Audiences, fun, yield, and “crypto speculators”
08:05 – Why onboarding is broken—and how Telegram/TON plan to fix it
09:08 – Using Telegram Collectibles as social and onboarding gateways
13:16 – Users don’t care about chains or tech. They just want fun, easy games
16:05 – Growth hacks: using AI bots and community agents for user acquisition
18:07 – Social apps, sticker NFTs, and why “crypto” is better hidden behind the scenes
22:09 – The next wave: Brand partnerships, new utility, and sticker store innovations
27:14 – Challenges: Airdrop farmers, awareness gaps, and what still needs building
36:14 – Lessons & advice: Stay curious, get into the weeds, and “provide value” if you want in
43:04 – Final tips for security, jobs, and how to really impress in crypto

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Money and people moves

1. Former BlackRock Head of Digital Asset Strategy Joe Chalom joins SharpLink as co-CEO

2. DeFi Education Fund brings on Ayana Dow as senior counsel and Talia Davis as VP of government relations

3. Marisa Tashman Coppel departs Blockchain Association after leading its firm as head of legal

4. Mark Beylin joins Haun Ventures’ investment team

5. Brevan Howard Taps Thiel Family Office Alum for Crypto Push (Bloomberg)

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Please note that this content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Any views shared should not be considered financial advice, nor should it be used to make investment decisions. Cryptocurrencies are high risk and you should consult a financial professional before making any financial decisions. Make sure you do your own research. We may have a direct or indirect financial interest in content mentioned in this newsletter.