Telegram payments glossary

Telegram Stars

Telegram's in-app virtual currency.

A closed-loop in-app currency introduced in 2024 to comply with Apple and Google in-app purchase rules. Used for paid bots, channel subscriptions, paid reactions, and digital gifts inside the Telegram app. Approximately 50 Stars ≈ $1 USD at the in-app rate.

TON

The Open Network — public cryptocurrency.

A layer-1 blockchain originally created by Telegram and now maintained by the independent TON Foundation. The native token (also called TON) is a public cryptocurrency with on-chain transferability and exchange listings. Distinct from Stars but with a documented conversion path.

Telegram Premium

Telegram's flat-rate monthly subscription.

A monthly subscription that unlocks user-facing app features: faster downloads, larger uploads, custom emoji, multiple accounts, advanced search, voice-to-text. Sold via in-app purchase (Apple/Google) and Telegram's own checkout.

Fragment

Telegram's decentralized auction platform.

A web platform (fragment.com) where users buy and sell anonymous numbers, usernames, and TON-based digital collectibles. Operated on the TON network with TON as the settlement currency.

Bot Payments API

Telegram's payment-handling API for bots.

A public API that lets bot developers accept payments inside Telegram, including Stars (for digital goods inside the app) and traditional payment rails (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) for physical goods.

Mini-app

A web app embedded inside Telegram.

A JavaScript web app that runs inside Telegram with access to platform APIs (user identity, payments, notifications). Mini-apps are increasingly the delivery vehicle for premium Telegram services and accept Stars natively.

Paid channel

A Telegram channel that charges a subscription.

A private Telegram channel where access requires an active Stars-based or external payment subscription. Channel admins set the monthly price and the underlying billing flow.

Star reaction

A Telegram message reaction that costs Stars.

A premium reaction that the sender pays Stars to attach to a public message. The Stars go to the channel owner of the message receiving the reaction.

Stars withdrawal

Converting earned Stars back to currency.

Channel owners and bot developers who earn Stars can withdraw them through Fragment or eligible payment processors, typically into TON or fiat currency at the prevailing rate.

In-app purchase (IAP)

Apple/Google payment system for in-app digital goods.

The payment infrastructure mandated by Apple App Store and Google Play for digital goods sold inside a mobile app. Charges typically include a 15–30% platform fee. Telegram Stars is the IAP-compliant rail for in-app Telegram purchases.

Web checkout

Payment flow that occurs outside the Telegram app.

A payment flow where the user is directed to an external web page (e.g., Stripe Checkout, PayPal) to complete a purchase. Web checkout is not subject to Apple/Google IAP fees and is the path most third-party Telegram merchants use for non-IAP purchases.

STARS_BOT.COM (descriptor)

A billing descriptor seen on some card statements.

A merchant or payment-processor descriptor used by Telegram-related services when settling card payments. Standard domain names cannot contain underscores; the styling is a card-network formatting convention. See the dedicated /charge-on-statement page for details.