Buying Telegram Usernames Now Requires KYC

Fragment now requires users to complete KYC for purchasing Telegram usernames, premium subscriptions, and stars.

Fragment, the platform dedicated to buying and selling Telegram usernames, has introduced mandatory KYC (know-your-customer) verification. From now on, users must confirm their identity to purchase usernames, premium subscriptions, or stars on Telegram.

The KYC process involves four steps: verifying an email address, confirming a phone number, providing personal details (such as name and surname), uploading a government-issued ID and completing facial recognition.

Four steps of user verification on Fragment. Source: x.com

Fragment launched in October 2022 as a marketplace for trading Telegram usernames. Users could list their usernames for sale or purchase desired ones. All transactions were facilitated using TON, the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network.

A notable example was the sale of the username @news for 994,000 TON (approximately $1.5 million at the time), which remains the platform’s most significant transaction to date. 

The introduction of mandatory KYC appears to be a response to growing efforts to combat fraud and comply with international regulations for social networks. This shift may also be influenced by the recent arrest of Pavel Durov in France. Some users speculate that Telegram is gradually transitioning toward increased centralization.

By implementing these measures, Fragment signals its readiness to align with global financial compliance standards while reinforcing its image as a responsible organization.

These changes could inspire new money mule services that assist users with KYC processes on Fragment. However, even with such solutions, fraudulent activities are expected to become significantly more challenging.