A former TON Foundation executive is bringing a new approach to bitcoin investing. Affluent, a new money-market protocol, is now available as a mini-app within Telegram. It was launched on Monday with the goal of making DeFi lending and yield techniques more accessible, especially to those with no crypto experience.
Affluent, co-founded by Hyung Lee, a TradFi specialist, and Justin Hyun, who previously oversaw incubation and institutional growth at TON, blends blockchain innovation with traditional financial experience. Users deposit assets into a “Strategy Vault” with a few clicks, and the app automatically distributes funds across different lending markets to seek optimized returns. The back‑end combines smart contracts and expert oversight, while users enjoy a clean, simple Telegram interface.
Security is top of mind. Affluent, which is audited by Trail of Bits and relies on segregated lending pools, lowers system risks such as bad debt contagion. Its asynchronous design within TON also guards against flash‑loan threats. While user deposits aren’t insured yet, the founders say they’re considering that for future growth.
Affluent also offers eye‑catching yield potential: stablecoins within the app can earn up to around 18% APY. By integrating with Telegram’s massive network and the TON ecosystem, the team is positioning this push as a step toward making Telegram a “financial super‑app” for everyday users.
This launch reveals a growing convergence of crypto, messaging apps, and finance, bringing DeFi capabilities directly into platforms millions already use. The future of investing? It might fit in your chat window.
