Telegram Stars
Accept in-app payments via Telegram Stars (XTR) — the native Telegram currency for digital goods.
Telegram Stars (XTR) is Telegram's own in-app currency for digital goods and services. Subscribers pay with Stars directly in the chat using their Apple In-App Purchase or Google Play credentials — no external redirect, no card-entry friction.
At a glance
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Telegram only (no web portal) |
| Recurring billing | ❌ One-time charges only |
| Product sync required | ❌ No |
| Modes | Live only (no test mode) |
| Supported currency | XTR (Telegram Stars) |
| Value | ~$0.013 USD per Star |
Why use Telegram Stars?
- High conversion — subscribers pay in one or two taps using store credentials they already have set up.
- Native, zero redirect — they never leave Telegram.
- Apple / Google compliance — selling digital goods via Stars meets Apple's and Google's in-app-purchase policies, which often forbid linking to external card forms.
Enable Telegram Stars
In MemberPass, go to Payment Methods → Setup a Payment Method.
Pick Platform Currency / Telegram Stars from the list. No credentials to enter — this provider is wired directly into Telegram.
Toggle Active and click Save Changes.
Exclusive-Stars mode
When adding Telegram Stars you'll see an option labelled similar to Show Only Telegram Stars Payment Method in the Bot. What it does:
- On — your bot hides every other payment method (Stripe, PayPal, Paystack, etc.). The only way to pay inside the chat is Stars.
- Off (default) — all enabled payment methods appear, and subscribers pick their preferred one.
Why ever turn it on?
For strict compliance with Apple and Google policies on digital goods inside Telegram. If an auditor flags your bot for linking to external card payment pages, switching to Stars-only makes the compliance story airtight.
Your web portal is unaffected by Exclusive-Stars mode. Even with it turned on, the portal page still shows every other enabled payment method — subscribers who prefer cards can go there instead. Use this split if you want a polite "Telegram for Stars, web for cards" flow.
Portal and Stars
Telegram Stars cannot be used from the web portal. Stars are processed natively by Telegram on your subscriber's Apple / Google device — there's no browser-side flow. The portal filters Stars out of its payment selector, so plans priced in XTR will show no payment methods on the portal.
If you want Stars-only plans, promote your bot link as the subscribe path — see Sharing your project.
The subscriber experience
- Subscriber opens your bot and picks a plan priced in Stars.
- Taps Telegram Stars on the payment method screen.
- Telegram shows a native in-app payment prompt with the Star cost.
- Confirms with device authentication (Touch ID / Face ID / passcode).
- Stars are deducted from their balance and the bot activates the subscription immediately.
If the subscriber doesn't have enough Stars, Telegram walks them through topping up via Apple / Google in-app purchase right there in the flow.
Financials and withdrawals
Value
- ~$0.013 USD per Star.
- Stars accumulate in your bot's balance (visible in your bot settings / Telegram directly).
Withdrawals
- Collected Stars are withdrawn via Fragment, using TON cryptocurrency.
- Telegram enforces a holding period (typically around 21 days) before withdrawals unlock.
Before accepting Stars, verify that you're legally permitted to receive and trade cryptocurrency in your jurisdiction. Some regions restrict or require registration for crypto-related business activity — this applies to any TON payouts Fragment sends you.
Transaction fees
MemberPass calculates its transaction fees based on the USD equivalent value:
- Conversion rate: 1 Star ≈ $0.013 USD.
- Billing: Fees are invoiced to you in USD even though you received Stars.
- Example: Collecting 1,000 Stars ≈ $13 USD in inflow; on the Starter plan's 3 % fee, that's ~$0.39 in MemberPass transaction fees.
See Transaction fees for the full model.
Frequently asked
Related
- Making payments (for subscribers) — what Star checkout looks like for the subscriber.
- Sharing your project — lead subscribers to the bot if you're going Stars-only.
- Transaction fees — how fees are calculated on Star payments.