Telegram is auctioning cellphone numbers to let prospects sign as a lot because the service with none SIM

After auctioning distinctive usernames on the TON blockchain, Telegram is now putting anonymous numbers up for bidding. These numbers is likely to be used to affix Telegram with out having any SIM card.

An identical to the username public sale, you should buy these digital numbers on Fragment, which is a website particularly created for Telegram-related auctions. To buy a amount, you’ll must hyperlink your TON pockets (Tonkeeper) to the website.

You can purchase a random amount for as little as 9 toncoins, which is the same as roughly $16.50 on the time of writing. A couple of of the premium digital numbers — akin to +888-8-888 — are selling for 31,500 toncoins (~$58,200).

How Telegram digital numbers work. Image Credit score: Telegram

Notably, you probably can solely use this amount to affix Telegram. You’ll be capable to’t use it to acquire SMS or calls or use it to register for an extra service.

For Telegram, that’s one different method of asking its most loyal supporters to assist the app by serving to it make some money. The company launched its premium subscription plan earlier this year. On Tuesday, the chat app’s founder Pavel Durov acknowledged that Telegram has more than 1 million paid users just a few months after the launch of its premium choices. Whereas Telegram offers choices like cross-device sync and massive groups, it’s important to don’t forget that chats won’t be protected by end-to-end encryption.

As for individuals who want anonymization, Telegram already offers to cowl your cellphone amount. Alternatively, there are tons of digital cellphone amount firms available on the market — along with Google Voice, Hushed and India-based Doosra — that allow you to acquire calls and SMS as successfully.