Telegram adds gifts, verification platform, and improved features

Telegram has rolled out several new features, including a gifting system, a phone number verification platform for businesses, and updates to video chats and content reporting.

Users can now send animated gifts to friends, which can be displayed on profiles or converted into Telegram Stars, a currency used to support creators and purchase services within the app.

The new verification platform allows businesses to verify customer phone numbers through Telegram, offering a cheaper and faster alternative to SMS at just $0.01 per user.

Telegram has also revamped its content reporting menu to improve moderation and added features like redesigned video chats for iOS and RTMP livestream support for Android.