What is Fragment and how it sets username prices
Fragment is Telegram's official blockchain marketplace where usernames and numbers are bought and sold for the GRAM(TON) cryptocurrency. This is where the real prices for names are set, so Fragment is the main reference for any valuation.
Why Fragment was created
Usernames used to be traded "by hand" — through chats and middlemen, with a risk of being scammed. In late 2022, the Telegram team launched Fragment: a transparent marketplace on the TON blockchain, where deals happen automatically and safely. A purchased name is assigned to the account, and ownership is recorded on the blockchain.
How a deal works
- Auction. Free and "premium" names are sold at auction — whoever offers the most in GRAM(TON) gets them.
- Fixed price. An owner can list their name for a specific amount.
- Payment in GRAM(TON). All settlements are in GRAM(TON); the wallet connects right on the site.
- Transfer. After payment, the username automatically passes to the buyer.
Why this matters for valuation: the full sales history is visible on Fragment. If a name or similar ones have already sold, you get not a guess but a fact — the real deal amount.
⚠️ But watch for manipulation: not every headline sale is genuine. An owner can buy their own username through a second wallet at an inflated price to fake an expensive deal. So even a "real" Fragment price should be taken with a grain of salt.
How Fragment affects the price
The price on Fragment is set by supply and demand. Short and meaningful names are scarce and many people want them — so they go for a lot. Long made-up combinations are useless, since they can be created endlessly, and cost almost nothing.
When valuing a username, the correct order is: first, a real sale from Fragment, then the price the name is listed at, and only if there's no data — an approximate calculation from criteria. That's exactly the order in which the valuation bot @UserRate_bot evaluates names.
FAQ about Fragment
Do I need a TON wallet?
Yes, to buy or sell you'll need a TON wallet (for example, the one built into Telegram, or Tonkeeper). To just look at prices and sales history, no wallet is needed.
Is it safe?
Fragment is an official Telegram service; deals happen on the blockchain without middlemen. It's far safer than selling "by hand".
Can any username be sold?
You can sell a free name bought or reserved on Fragment. An ordinary @username tied to a personal account must first be released or listed through the marketplace. More in "How to sell a username".