Telegram Wallet Announces Partnership With Affluent to Bring Easy USDT DeFi Yield to Millions

HKAN | Oct 26

In a strategic move aimed at broadening retail access to decentralized finance, Telegram’s native wallet feature has entered into a partnership with DeFi protocol Affluent. The collaboration enables wallet users to earn yield on their USDT holdings, directly within the Telegram app — simplifying the process of putting stablecoins to work.

Key Details

• Telegram wallet users can now deposit USDT and earn up to ~3.5% APY through a one-click “Earn” feature, powered by Affluent’s vault infrastructure.

• The service is integrated into Telegram’s self-custodial wallet product, meaning users maintain control of their assets while accessing yield opportunities.

• With Telegram’s global user base (hundreds of millions) and its wallet already reaching tens of millions of active users, the potential reach for the yield feature is significant.

• Affluent, built on the TON blockchain, provides the backend: automated yield strategies, vault pooling, and risk-management features, abstracted away so the user experience remains simple.

• Telegram emphasises the move as part of its “Web3 super-app” ambition — where messaging, payments, savings and crypto investing converge into a single interface.

Why It Matters

• DeFi meets mainstream messaging: One of the biggest friction points in DeFi has been onboarding — complex wallets, unfamiliar interfaces, chain switching. By embedding yield features into a widely used messaging app, Telegram lowers the barrier substantially.

• Stablecoin yield for everyday users: USDT remains the dominant stablecoin in crypto markets — offering yield options for USDT within Telegram may attract users who otherwise keep stablecoins idle.

• Mass-market wallet activation: The “wallet as entry point” approach means the yield feature could drive more users into using Telegram’s self-custodial wallet rather than just the chat app — strengthening the app’s financial services layer.

• Competitive pressure and innovation: If Telegram succeeds, other messaging and fintech platforms may follow — pushing yield products deeper into mainstream consumer apps, not just dedicated crypto wallets.

What to Watch Next

• Uptake and asset flows: How many users actually engage with the yield product, how much USDT volume accumulates, and how the APY offering holds up over time.

• User experience and security: Since this targets mainstream users, the smoothness of onboarding, custody securely, and transparency of vault performance will be critical.

• Regulatory & geographical rollout: What jurisdictions are included initially? Are there restrictions beyond the wallet feature depending on local rules for crypto savings / yield?

• Expansion of assets: Will Telegram and Affluent bring other tokens besides USDT? How will yield options evolve — e.g., crypto-assets, tokenised real-world assets, or more complex strategies?