Instant messaging platform, Telegram, has rolled out a new service that allows users to buy and sell their usernames through an auction.
According to Telegram, users can now auction usernames for either their accounts, public groups, or channels.
The auction would be conducted through a third-party site called Fragment, a free platform that facilitates the transaction of collectibles between users.
Telegram said the ownership of collectible usernames is secured in the immutable ledger of a fast and scalable blockchain network called TON. The company added that owners can add multiple username aliases to their account, groups or channels.
Telegram said in a statement: “For the first time in the history of social media, people have full ownership of their usernames.
“Long-time Telegram users who have been using short usernames they registered for early on can now benefit from the platform’s growth by selling their usernames in fair, transparent, fully decentralized auctions.
“Each collectible name can be accessed with its @username on Telegram, or outside Telegram using links such as username.t.me and t.me/username.”