The instant messaging app, Telegram, has shared a new feature update with the users to create accounts via blockchain-based anonymous numbers instead of cellular numbers.

With the new feature, people can create a Telegram account “without a sim card and set up a global timer to automatically delete messages in all new chats.”

People can now hide their details and phone numbers, and the number of non-added users is hidden on the app. Users already have control over who can view their phone numbers. Also, they can choose who can find them using their phone numbers on the app.

With the new update, which Telegram calls “a new era of privacy,” people can “log in using blockchain-powered anonymous numbers available on the Fragment platform, a decentralized auction platform founded by Telegram creator Pavel Durov.” The feature is privacy-focused. Users can buy anonymous user names and numbers from Fragment. However, they will be only compatible with Telegram. Purchases can be made on the platform with the help of The Open Network, the affiliated token of Telegram. Moreover, Fragment does not offer its services to users located in the US.

After signing into the telegram account after purchasing the numbers, users can use these private numbers to receive texts for verification codes.

Upon purchasing a number, people can use these private numbers to receive verification code texts after signing in to Telegram.

The cost of any random number on Fragment is 9TON which is $16. People can also buy or sell their numbers through auctions. Moreover, it has been observed that some unique numbers are in demand. For example, +8888888 was bid for 33,075 ($TON), which was the highest at some point.

The platform has remained a popular one for communication among crypto enthusiasts. The feature update was launched on Dec 6.

Recently, on Nov 30, after the fallout of FTX, Durov shared the news on his Telegram channel, stating the company is working to build a suite of decentralization tools. Durov also informed that Telegram would launch decentralized exchanges and noncustodial wallets, among other apps.

He wrote, “The solution is clear: blockchain-based projects should go back to their roots – decentralization. Cryptocurrency users should switch to trustless transactions and self-hosted wallets that don’t rely on any single third party.”