Yeah, it's a shame for Toshi and Status, that are already doing this, albeit within the ethereum network. Telegram could have a huge advantage, because of the established user base. on the other hand, another token using its own blockchain, that you'd have to jump through hoops to turn into something that is actually usable? why not integrate/use zCash or something, if they are so worried about privacy?

Kik (?), which had a huge user base, also introduced their own cryptocurrency some time ago. KIN, I think it was, that you could use to buy stickers and whatnot within their own messenger... Not sure what happened to it...