As TVM emerges, the allure of migrating from EVM-based applications grows stronger. However, the question remains: how distinct are TVM and EVM, and what challenges lie ahead for those seeking to make the leap?

The TON (Telegram Open Network) ecosystem is a decentralized blockchain platform that offers a unique approach to smart contract development and execution. Unlike many other blockchains that rely on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), TON has its own proprietary virtual machine, the TON Virtual Machine (TVM).

TVM’s scalability, cross-chain communication and high performance, along with other important advantages make TON a compelling choice for developers and businesses seeking a robust and innovative platform for their dApps.

As a trusted partner of the TON Foundation, our TON development company offers unparalleled expertise in navigating the complexities of the TON ecosystem. This insider knowledge allows us to provide comprehensive support to our clients.

During years of practice, we’ve successfully completed numerous projects on the Ethereum blockchain as well. With this combined expertise we know how to bridge the gap between EVM and TVM and guide you through the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition and highlighting key considerations to optimize your project for the TVM environment. In this guide we’ve compiled a wealth of information to empower your journey – continue reading and exploring.

Introduction to the TON ecosystem

At the core of the TON ecosystem is the TON Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of the TON blockchain. The foundation’s mission is to create a decentralized, scalable, and secure platform that can support a wide range of applications and services.

Key features of the TON Ecosystem

Smart contract-centric architecture: In TON, everything is a smart contract, from accounts to wallets. This means that all interactions with the blockchain are governed by the logic encoded in smart contracts. This approach provides a high degree of flexibility and customization for developers.
TON Virtual Machine: TON’s TVM is a Turing-complete virtual machine that supports its own unique programming languages, such as FunC, Tact, and Fift. While this may require a learning curve for developers familiar with EVM-based languages, it also offers the potential for greater performance and efficiency.
Proof-of-Stake consensus: TON uses a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which means that validators are selected based on the amount of TON tokens they stake. This approach is more energy-efficient than Proof-of-Work (PoW) and also helps to ensure network security.
State-centric focus: TON is a ledger of state transitions, rather than a ledger of transactions. This means that the focus is on the data of smart contracts on the network, including account balances, smart contract code, and updates. This approach can simplify certain types of applications and improve performance.
Telegram integration: TON has a close relationship with Telegram Messenger, which uses TON as its blockchain infrastructure for various services. This integration provides TON with a significant user base and potential for widespread adoption.

Considerations for switching to TVM

While TON offers many advantages, there are also some key considerations that businesses should be aware of before switching to TVM:

Learning curve: If your development team is familiar with EVM-based languages, there will be a learning curve associated with switching to TVM.
Ecosystem maturity: While the TON ecosystem is growing rapidly, it is still relatively new compared to established platforms like Ethereum. This means that there may be fewer tools and resources available.
Compatibility: If your dApp relies heavily on specific EVM-based standards or libraries, it may be more challenging to port it to TON.

Key differences between TVM and EVM to know for a seamless transition

Data representation and storage

EVM: Operates on 256-bit integers, supporting basic data types with limitations. This makes handling complex data structures directly challenging, often requiring additional logic and leading to higher gas costs.

TVM: Employs a “bag of cells” model, allowing for more complex data types and efficient handling of sophisticated structures. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for applications requiring additional state management.

Data handling

EVM: Requires custom logic to simulate complex data types, increasing complexity and execution costs.

TVM: Inherently supports complex data types, resulting in faster execution and lower costs, making it ideal for sophisticated decentralized applications.

Stack machine operations

EVM: Works as a traditional stack-based machine with a LIFO system, processing operations on 256-bit integers.

TVM: Supports both 257-bit integers and references to cells, offering greater flexibility when manipulating data directly.

Arithmetic operations

EVM: Operates exclusively with 256-bit integers, providing optimized operations for this data size.

TVM: Supports a wider range of arithmetic options, including 64-bit, 128-bit, and 256-bit integers, as well as advanced operations like modulo and shift-then-divide.

Overflow checks

EVM: Requires manual implementation of overflow checks in older Solidity versions, while newer versions provide automatic checks.

TVM: Has built-in overflow checks, ensuring smoother development and reducing the risk of errors.

Cryptography and hash functions

EVM: Supports Ethereum-specific cryptographic schemes but lacks built-in support for Merkle proofs.

TVM: Offers broader cryptographic support, including 256-bit ECC, Weil pairings, and Merkle proofs, making it suitable for advanced cryptographic tasks.

High-level languages

EVM: Primarily uses Solidity as its high-level language, with other options like Vyper and Yul.

TVM: Employs FunC and Tact as its primary languages, providing procedural and statically typed options.

Seamless transition: things to pay attention to

When transitioning from EVM to TVM, developers should carefully consider the following:

Data structure conversion: Convert EVM-based data structures to TVM-compatible formats, leveraging the flexibility of TVM’s cell-based model.
Arithmetic operations: Ensure that arithmetic operations are compatible with TVM’s wider range of options and overflow checks.
Cryptographic libraries: If using custom cryptographic libraries on EVM, explore equivalent or compatible options in TVM.
Smart contract compilation and deployment: Familiarize yourself with TVM’s compilation tools and deployment processes.
Testing and debugging: Thoroughly test your TVM-based smart contracts to identify and address any compatibility issues.

What is the future of TON development?

The TON blockchain has witnessed a surge in developer activity in recent quarters, progressing to almost 111 million active smart contracts, signaling a promising future for its ecosystem. The influx of talented developers is laying the groundwork for innovative and high-quality projects that are poised to drive the TON network’s growth.

One of the most notable trends in the TON ecosystem is the increasing popularity of Telegram Mini Apps (TMAs). TMAs offer a seamless way for users to interact with decentralized applications directly within the Telegram messaging platform. This integration has the potential to significantly expand the reach and accessibility of TON-based dApps, making them more attractive to a wider audience.

While DeFi projects continue to be a prominent focus, the TON ecosystem is also witnessing a growing interest in developing dApps with practical value. This shift reflects a recognition that the long-term success of the network will depend on its ability to address real-world needs and provide tangible benefits to users.

The growing adoption of TonConnect, a developer SDK for building dApps on TON, is another positive indicator of the network’s future. The increasing number of wallet systems adding. As the ecosystem matures, we can expect to see even more exciting and innovative projects emerge.

How PixelPlex can help

PixelPlex is your one-stop lab for navigating the exciting world of TON. As an official tech partner of the TON Foundation, we’re deeply invested in the network’s success. We actively contribute by supplementing their documentation and participating in various development tasks. This close collaboration ensures we possess the most up-to-date knowledge of TON languages and the Telegram Messaging Platform.

PixelPlex TON services:

FunC development: Craft high-performance serverless functions for your TON applications.
Tact development: Build secure and scalable smart contracts with TON’s Native Solidity.
Fift development: Utilize TON Assembly Language to create efficient and low-level TON programs.
TMA development services: Develop engaging and interactive Telegram Mini Apps to expand your user reach.

Partner with PixelPlex and unlock the full potential of TON. Let’s build innovative solutions that leverage the power of this revolutionary blockchain network.