Wrestling star enters web3 with Telegram sticker drop
A new collectible release taps blockchain tech to connect fans with exclusive digital art and rewards
Wrestling icon Ric Flair is stepping into the digital arena with the launch of a limited-edition blockchain-based collectible sticker pack on Telegram’s marketplace for digital art, formerly known as Sticker Store.
The collection, which includes 8,888 stickers priced at 2,222 Stars each (around $14 USD), recently went live and is available exclusively through Telegram’s platform for crypto-linked collectibles.
To mark the occasion, Flair also launched his official Telegram channel, where he shared a personal message with fans and gave a nod to Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
“Telegram is where the people are today. It’s global, it’s fast, and the way people connect here fits perfectly with what we’re building,” Flair said. “These stickers are about energy, personality, and culture and Telegram is the perfect home for them.”
Digital fandom meets blockchain tools
Flair’s launch highlights the crossover between pop culture, fan engagement, and blockchain-based ownership. He joins a wave of creators using Telegram’s built-in crypto tools to offer digital collectibles to a global audience.
Telegram’s Sticker Pack marketplace was launched in late 2024 by Notcoin (via Open Builders) and $DOGS as part of Durov’s broader push to tokenize stickers and emojis on the TON blockchain – Telegram’s own crypto network.
Since then, the platform has hosted limited drops from brands like Doodles, Pudgy Penguins, Bored Apes, and Flappy Bird, with many collections selling out in minutes. So far, 16 exclusive series have been released, generating more than $9 million in sales.
Telegram doubles down on collectibles
This week, the Sticker Pack team also introduced Market, a new peer-to-peer app where users can gift, sell, or transfer digital stickers, Telegram Gifts, and in-game items. The move adds to Telegram’s role as a hub for collectible assets.
The platform now sees over 1 billion monthly active users, and its digital gift marketplace has already processed more than 7.8 million TON in transactions – around $30.5 million USD – with top gifts fetching as much as $31,649 USD.
Looking ahead, Sticker Pack is preparing to roll out NFT functionality, allowing users to convert their stickers into fully tradable non-fungible tokens (NFTs) – unique digital items that can be owned and exchanged on the blockchain.
The development has attracted interest from NFT project leaders, with teams behind Doodles and Pudgy Penguins praising Telegram’s growing reach and streamlined user experience. For collectors, it could mark a shift in where digital fandom is built and traded.
As Ric Flair’s stickers make their debut, Telegram continues to position itself not just as a messaging app, but as a player in the evolving world of blockchain-powered fan engagement.
