Hey guys!

If we happen to have Rust developers with TON experience in subscribers: we have a small task for you, write about yourself in the comments.

🔨Dev tools updates

blueprint v0.11.0
- Added an options field to the tact variant of CompilerConfig, which is of the same type as the options of the TACT compiler, and includes fields such as debug, experimental, etc
- Updated TACT to 1.1.3

Hey everyone!

Last month, we dedicated our efforts to researching large collections on TON, and we have some exciting developments to share with you.

Let's start with some context: TON's asynchronous architecture naturally leads developers to use sharded architectures for their smart contracts. This also holds true for the current NFT standard in TON, where each NFT is represented as a separate smart contract. While this approach helps distribute the load on smart contracts, it presents some challenges for developers:

1. Deployment of an NFT collection with 1 million items results in the deployment of 1 million + 1 contracts.
2. Managing multi-NFT operations becomes a significant challenge.

However, we didn't let these challenges deter us. Our team has worked hard to find an innovative solution that allows for the deployment of extremely large collections of NFTs at a very affordable cost. While doing it entirely on-chain proved impractical, we found an excellent compromise by combining on-chain and off-chain storage of data.

Here's the basic idea: we introduce a new state for NFTs, which we call "virtual NFTs." The data for these virtual NFTs, including ownership and metadata, is stored off-chain, while on-chain, we keep a Merkle tree root containing all the NFTs in the collection. When the first transfer of a virtual NFT occurs, it gets minted on-chain, and from that point forward, it becomes indistinguishable from classical NFTs.

This approach offers numerous benefits:

1. Creation of truly massive collections, even up to 1 billion items.
2. Collection deployment comes at a fixed price, independent of its size.
3. Collection deployment costs are incredibly low, akin to deploying a normal empty collection (almost free).
4. The "claiming" of virtual NFTs is very affordable, comparable to a standard transfer.
5. Full compatibility with the existing NFT standard and mechanics.
6. The implementation on marketplace platforms is relatively straightforward.

We are thrilled to announce that today we have published this new approach as the Compressed NFT Standard. Alongside this, we have released reference contract implementations and an off-chain storage server. We eagerly await your feedback and comments on our standard draft.

Thank you for your continuous support, and let's work together to shape the future of NFTs on TON!

Introducing TonSdk.Connect for .NET & TonConnect 2.0 SDK for Unity: Unlock the Gaming Potential on TON Blockchain

🚀🎮 We are beyond excited to announce the launch of two groundbreaking tools: TonSdk.Connect for .NET and TonConnect 2.0 SDK for Unity. These innovations open up a plethora of opportunities, especially for game developers!

🔗🛠 TonSdk.Connect for .NET is your go-to toolkit for working with the TonConnect 2.0 protocol on .NET platforms. It enables seamless wallet connectivity and interactions with TON Blockchain in your applications and backend solutions.

🕹🌐 And here comes the really exciting part: TonConnect 2.0 SDK for Unity.
Imagine a gaming experience enriched by blockchain technology: from sign in via your TON wallet to trading NFTs, earning decentralized rewards, and even participating in blockchain-based multiplayer competitions. The TonConnect 2.0 SDK for Unity makes all this not just possible but also incredibly convenient.

🌍🔌 With the TonConnect 2.0 protocol, your Unity game can interact effortlessly with TON wallets, letting players manage their assets securely without leaving the gaming environment. The SDK not only enhances the gaming experience but also builds a bridge between traditional gaming and blockchain communities.

📚🔍 For further details, have a look at resources:

TonSdk.Connect: [github] [nuget]
Unity Asset: [github]
Video Tutorial [RU]: [youtube]

🏗🌟Your involvement and enthusiasm are essential for taking these technologies to the next level. We can't wait to see what you'll create!

TON & Python

Recent surveys have shown that there are many Python developers in the TON community (up to 30%), as well as many tools written in Python. To be honest, we don't know what appeared first.

Here is a list of the most popular projects that may interest you:

Libraries and SDK

ADNL support:

— pytoniq and pytoniq-core by Yungwine - Grant awarded!

— mytonlib by Igroman787 - under development;

HTTP API or TonLib Wrapper (both supported):

— TonTools by Yungwine - TON Awards 2022!

TonLib Wrapper:

— pytonlib by Toncenter;

TON C++ Wrapper by Disinatar

— tonpy (release soon) - a very interesting project, TON's C++ code is packaged in a library, and Python wrappers are written for it. Created TL-B generator for Python;

TON Connect

— XaBbl4/pytonconnect

— ClickoTON-Foundation/tonconnect

TON projects on Python:

— ton-http-api - TON HTTP API based on pytonlib;

— ton-indexer - Indexer and HTTP API of TON Blockchain;

— mytonctrl - common tool for TON validators;

Other

— Rift - allows developers to develop, test and deploy TON contracts with pure Python;

Outdated/Not evolving

— tonsdk by Sasha1618 (tonfactory), Yungwine, Psylopunk;

— tvm_valuetypes - working with basic TON primitives (Cell, HashMap);

— pytonlib by Psylopunk;

Do you know more TON projects and tools on Python? Write in the comments!

📢 Exciting News! 🚀

TonTech is thrilled to announce that we have officially launched our brand new landing page! But what's even more exhilarating is the endorsement and support we have received from none other than TON Foundation.

We are honored to have the backing of TON Foundation, who recognizes TonTech as a team of TON experts powered by The Open Platform. Working closely with the foundation, we are determined to support developers in building on the TON Blockchain and contribute to the growth and development of the TON Ecosystem.
TonTech continues to remain an integral part of The Open Platform (TOP), while working closely with TON Foundation to assist developers in their journey.


TonTech's primary objective is to make it easier for developers to create and deploy smart contracts and dApps on TON. In line with this goal, we offer a comprehensive suite of tools and services for developers, including developing libraries, SDKs, and solutions for TON applications. Additionally, we also provide consulting and audit services to assist developers in the construction and deployment of smart contracts and dApps on TON.

With the endorsement from TON Foundation, TonTech is poised to play a crucial role in fulfilling TON Foundation's objectives. As a result, we will continue to assist developers with robust developer tools, audits, grants, and more.

To find out more about the comprehensive range of services offered by TonTech and explore our new branding, visit our official website at ton.tech.

We are incredibly excited about this new beginning and look forward to supporting developers building on TON Blockchain. Stay tuned for more updates and join our Telegram channel for the latest news and discussions.

Speedrun TON!

Tutorials on TON are complex for the average user:
1️⃣ many terms at once (from c4, using adnl, to slice e.t.c)
2️⃣ a lot of bounties (and on the 28th bounty...)

So if we imagine the process of a developer rolling into the ecosystem as a funnel, it will turn out that many fly off at the moment of the first touch with the technical side of TON.

The author of the @ton_learn channel decided to do an experiment, what if we made tutorials similar to quests in games.The first quests are simple and exciting to feel the game, and then thousands of hours in this game are just around the corner.

Therefore, within the 252 bounties, a MVP was created:

https://tonspeedrun.com/

There are 6 quests inside that represent the repositories:
1️⃣A person clones a repository,
2️⃣takes 6-7 steps and is already feeling some working, practically applicable product,
3️⃣and then there are links to deep and complex tutorials.

For now, this is a MVP, the author wants to understand whether it is worth developing and therefore will be very grateful for your feedback.

Feedback can be left either in Google form on the website or in the comments on the author’s channel: @ton_learn where tutorials and data analytics on TON are published.

#ton_bounties

Web IDE now integrated into TON Docs
We've seamlessly integrated Web IDE with TON Docs! Now, with hands-on smart contract references implemented for various program software.

Types of smart contracts now available through WebIDE:
- Production Contracts
- Ecosystem Contracts
- Learning Contracts

What is Nujan Web IDE?
Web IDE, powered by Nujan, is your ultimate browser-based IDE designed to simplify the journey of writing, testing, compiling, deploying, and interacting with smart contracts on TON. Write smart contracts from anywhere, on any device. No setups, no downloads, just pure convenience and versatility.

Nujan Features
- Login via multiple TON wallets
- User-friendly Code Editor & Syntax Highlighter
- Efficient File Manager & Compiler
- One-click deployment using Nujan IDE
- Easy Interaction with Contracts
- Share & Clone Code, get instant feedback!
- Sync code to the server – Access projects from any device

Ready to try it out? Visit TON Docs.

NFT Standard Challenge

🏆 Prize: $2,000
📅 Duration: 1 - 14 Oct
💡 Submission: 14 Oct, 23:59:59 GMT+4

TonTech is excited to announce the NFT Standard Challenge! We invite participants to create a solution that sets a new standard for TON NFT collections. This standard, whether it's a new one or an extension of existing ones, will guarantee that collection creators receive their rightful royalties, even in cases where marketplaces fall short. Calling developers to create a groundbreaking solution that ensures artists receive their royalties from every sale, regardless of the marketplace.

Your solution should seamlessly integrate with the TON blockchain ecosystem while aligning with the existing NFT standard. While a reference implementation is optional, we're eager to see your technical prowess and visionary ideas.

Prizes and submission
We value your dedication and expertise. The contest winner will walk away with an enticing cash prize of $2,000 paid on TON! But that's not all — every participant will gain industry recognition, professional exposure, and a platform for future collaborations and partnerships.
The bot for submitting the solutions will be opened prior to the deadline.

Evaluation Criteria
Our expert judges will assess each submission based on the following criteria:

1️⃣ Compatibility: How well your solution integrates with the existing NFT standard, while introducing innovative features.

2️⃣ Technical Excellence: The sophistication and practicality of your solution in a real-world context.

3️⃣ Scalability and TON Compatibility: Your solution's ability to scale and adapt within the TON blockchain ecosystem.

4️⃣ Documentation Quality: The clarity, comprehensiveness, and user-friendliness of your documentation and implementation guidelines.

Come join us in revolutionizing the TON NFT ecosystem and supporting artists!

W5 Optimization Challenge

Prize: up to 2,000 TON
Deadline: October 15, 23:59 UTC+4
Results: November 11

The Tonkeeper team is working on a new wallet standard called W5 aimed at replacing the currently used wallet v4R2. It will enable new exciting possibilities for TON that dramatically improve user experience for millions of people.

W5 supports gasless transactions, delegation and account recovery, subscription payments with tokens and Toncoin, and cheap multi-transfers. At the same time, W5 significantly reduces user and merchant fees.

Learn about W5 from our GitHub repository.

We invite talented Fift and FunC engineers to participate in optimizing W5. The most optimized solution that meets the requirements will win the contest.

Requirements
The goal is to optimize gas consumption for each of the three computation paths, where a single outgoing message of 1 TON to a regular basechain address is emitted from the wallet:

1. Processing an external signed message. Starting gas cost: 3135.
2. Processing an internal signed message. Starting gas cost: 4110.
3. Processing an internal message authenticated by an extension. The dictionary contains only that one extension. Starting gas cost: 2660.

The starting gas costs are measured when the entire contract code is offloaded to a library on a masterchain. Measurements were made on testnet.

Non-goals: optimizing the storage space, optimizing the code size (the code will be offloaded into a shared library and won’t cost anything to a user).

While optimizing these three cases, do not impede the remaining functionality. Minor trade-offs are acceptable, but a significant increase in cost, usage complexity, or loss of security may disqualify a candidate.

The resulting code in FunC or Fift must contain excellent documentation necessary for audit and a documented build process if it differs from the one we already use in the repository.

Implementation should be generally compatible with the ABI in the specification.

Minor changes to the storage and message layout are allowed for the performance if they do not break the functionality and do not complicate the ABI for apps. Please do not change the 32-bit opcodes. We reserve the right to decide which changes are acceptable. When in doubt, feel free to make two submissions: conservative & radical..

Deliverable
Pull-request to w5 repository.

Prizes
🥇The author of the winning implementation receives co-authorship credit in the project and 0.333 TON per gas unit saved in each of the three paths (external+signed, internal+signed, internal+extension).

We also reward original ideas with novel trade-offs and worthy follow-up attempts.

🥈The second place: 0.100 TON per gas unit.
🥉The third place: 0.050 TON per gas unit.

We will pay out only one prize per author. We will evaluate submissions one by one. To avoid copycats, we recommend you submit your code shortly before midnight on October 15 (UTC +4).

We can’t wait to see how your talents unfold in this challenge. Good luck!

For any questions, please contact @w5challenge