Telegram’s new blockchain project will be compatible with ethereum, according to a tech startup building tools for the network.

The messaging company is expected to release the code to run a node on the Telegram Open Network (TON) on Sunday, allowing users to trial its project in advance of the project’s expected mainnet launch on Oct. 31.

TON Labs, a tech startup helmed by investors in Telegram’s token sale, is building a number of tools for developers to help them build on the new network. One of these tools will be a Solidity compiler, which will allow decentralized applications built for ethereum to also run on TON, said TON Labs CEO and managing partner Alexander Filatov.

Filatov told CoinDesk:

The compiler has been in testing since July, he said.

As mentioned, TON is expected to launch by Oct. 31. If it does not, Telegram will have to refund investors in its token sale, according to its user agreement. Sunday’s release, therefore, is expected to be the last in a series of testnet releases.

Filatov said Sunday’s code release will be the most important stage of TON’s rollout, saying:

Code for a light client was shared with investors earlier this year and immediately leaked to the general public. Filatov said this client allowed users to play around with some of the TON blockchain’s basic functions.

"You can play with GRAMs [the network’s token], write a simple smart contract talking to the node via a light client [and] create a wallet," Filatov said.

Telegram raised at least $1.7 billion in 2018 for its hotly anticipated blockchain. The six-year-old messaging service claims to have over 200 million active users.

Telegram image via Shutterstock