Co-Founder @worldlibertyfi 🦅
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Pavel Durov: The Prometheus of Free Speech and the Birth of Tomo Social Wallet
I first downloaded Telegram in 2015 as a college student, looking for a chat app free from ads and data mining. Telegram felt different—sleek, intuitive, and, most importantly, it felt free. Those early days with the simple blue paper plane icon promised something bigger than just another messaging app; it was a place where we could speak freely and connect beyond borders, a revolution led by a man who would become one of my greatest inspirations: Pavel Durov.
@durov , with his quiet defiance and commitment to privacy, reminds me of Prometheus, the god who brought fire to humanity. While most tech giants prioritize control and profit, Pavel stood apart, unafraid to challenge norms. His arrest by the French government in August 2024 was a sobering reminder that the fight for freedom—whether of speech or privacy—is far from over.
An Ode to Telegram: More Than Just an App
@telegram was there when I bought my first crypto, joined my first trading group, shared my fist memes, and met some of my best friends from around the world.
Pavel didn’t just create an app; he built a sanctuary, where ideas could be shared without fear, and friendships could flourish across continents. This spirit of defiance and innovation inspired me to create Tomo Social Wallet.
Why Tomo? A Tribute to Freedom and Friendship
When naming the wallet, I chose "Tomo," which means "friend" in Japanese, as a nod to Satoshi Nakamoto, the enigmatic creator of Bitcoin. @tomo_wallet is built to be more than just a wallet; it’s a companion on the journey toward financial freedom. Tomo is about empowering users to take control of their digital assets, just as Telegram empowered us to take control of our conversations.
Tomo Wallet allows users to send, receive and swap any token, manage assets, and engage with friends—all while keeping control of your funds. It also offers token-gated communities, stories, livestreams, and gift packages, making it a complete social and financial platform.
Our @tomo_social Telegram SDK package enables any app to become a Telegram mini app, with embedded on-ramp services, swaps, and access to the TON EVM Layer 2 capabilities, making digital assets accessible for everyone.
I’m proud to say that Tomo stands in Pavel’s shadow, carrying forward the torch of freedom. We’re building a place where financial systems are as open and accessible as the conversations on Telegram. Our mission is to spread the fire of digital freedom, just as Pavel spread the fire of free speech.
A Personal Mission Statement
This isn’t just a company message; it’s me—a long-time user and fan—expressing my admiration for Pavel Durov. His commitment to privacy and freedom continues to inspire me daily. Telegram showed me what was possible, and with Tomo, I aim to bring that same sense of possibility to the world of digital finance.
So here’s to Pavel, the Prometheus of our time, who brought us the fire of free speech, and to everyone fighting for freedom. At Tomo, we’re here to make sure the fire of financial freedom burns just as brightly. Freedom of speech and freedom to transact—these aren’t just slogans; they’re the pillars of a better world. Together we will continue to push forward.
To Pavel, to freedom, to friends, and to the future—this one’s for you.
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I feel each cycle two major digital assets truly break out.
1. BTC ETH
2. BNB Solana
3. Babylon Eigenlayer
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Mass Adoption: Why Complexity is the Enemy
After years building infrastructure at Ankr and now focusing on user experience with Tomo, I keep seeing the same thing: mass adoption is about making complex technology invisible.
Think back to the internet's evolution. Early adopters debated protocols while mainstream users just wanted to send emails. Today, billions use the internet without ever thinking about BGP or HTTP. Web3 needs that same shift. At Ankr, we saw this from the infrastructure side - businesses needed reliable RPCs, but they didn't want to manage them. Now at Tomo, we're seeing the same pattern with users: they want the benefits of web3, but not its complexity.
But here's what really fascinates me: Early adopters often mistake complexity for value. While I deeply respect the technical aspects - I've built my career on them - they miss a crucial point: Technology adoption is not linear. It's exponential when it becomes invisible.
Look at Amazon. They didn't succeed by explaining supply chain logistics. They won by making buying easy. 1-Click Ordering made transactions effortless, just like Web3 must. Users don't care how complex the backend is - they care that it works.
This observation shaped Tomo's entire approach:
Instead of asking users to learn new patterns, we let them use accounts they already have and trust - Google, Email, Telegram, Twitter, KakaoTalk. Not because it's easier, but because it works.
Research consistently shows transformative technologies don’t demand behavior change, they integrate into existing habits.
The next wave of web3 adoption won't come from explaining the technology. It will come from making it as invisible as the internet protocols are today.
For those building in web3:
Don't ask ‘How can we make users understand our technology?’
Ask ‘How can our technology understand our users?’
That's the difference between building for the next million users versus the next billion.
At @ankr, we proved this with infrastructure. At @tomo_social, we're proving it with user experience.
Mass adoption is coming. But it won't look like we expected. It will look like everyday people using web3 without realizing they're using web3. And that's exactly how it should be.
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As a builder in the space since 2018, a pattern I've observed in market cycles is that innovation happens in bear markets and distribution happens in bull markets.
But the companies that survive build through both.
At Tomo and Ankr, we're engineering for an on-chain future, no matter the market conditions.
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Mistake happens, but we will always make it right. debank.com/stream/1932157
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Infrastructure should be invisible. User experience should be inevitable. This is how we scale to billions.
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Time flies so fast. Thinking back to 2018, it feels like yesterday. Working with Mike, an exceptional recruiter, was a game-changer for us. His dedication helped us find top talent for our blockchain projects. If you need an outstanding recruiter, I highly recommend Mike.
Twitter: @welcome84890059
Telegram: @mikevolkov
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Fascinates me how Uber changed transport: One button → Instant ride
Same with @tomo_social: One social login → Instant web3 access
Google, Telegram, Email - accounts people already trust.
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One small step for a company, one giant leap for the industry.
I think so few people realized the significance of this.
@cubistdev
aws.amazon.com/blogs/databas…
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1. Some opinion on point system. I really think it matters more which user has done what over what period of time. Rather than try so hard to quantify this action is worth 1 point the other action worth 2 point.
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Users don't wake up wanting to 'participate in web3'. They want to use products that solve their problems.
Every transformative technology followed this path: Early users tolerate complexity, but mass market demands simplicity.
This is why @tomo_social focuses on familiar patterns: Google login, Email login, Telegram login.
Not because they're 'web2'. Because they work.
The beauty is in the simplicity. When users can focus on what matters - actually using the product - rather than wrestling with unfamiliar tech, that's when adoption happens. Just like email, just like the internet, just like mobile phones. The technology serves the user, not the other way around.
✨ Web3 auth, better
TomoEVMKit: We took Web3's favourite wallet connector and gave developers what they've been asking for -- easy logins. Built for teams who want to give their users real choice.
📩 Every major wallet, ready to go (50+)
📩 Familiar logins (Email, Google, X, Telegram, KakaoTalk)
📩 Enterprise-grade security by @cubistdev
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I’m going to @babylon_chain’s upcoming Space. Will you join too? nitter.app/i/spaces/1vAxRvrpyQyxl
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3. Uber Airbnb DoorDash Meituan every company have some loyalty system. It is true that it’s better to reward company/project upside than give people cash coupon. User record matters, but over gamification implies lack of confidence of the product.
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2. If a product is ever evolving, the best fortune teller won’t be able to design the best “airdrop point system”. A product is not a competition.
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4. Use a mature Marriot system as an example. I actually think just simple record of what one has done over the years is just the best, certain action should reward some points / ownership. Overpromise in the beginning is never a good thing. Artificial encouragement will have issue.
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They belong to all cycles, and I think both are here for to stay and for 10 20 30 100 years to come. Bnb and Solana generally started in the 18-21 cycle.
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