What platform did Telegram launch in October 2024 for verification codes?

Telegram launched Telegram Gateway in October 2024 as a verification platform for third-party services.

Gateway lets businesses and applications send authentication codes to users through Telegram instead of relying only on SMS. Telegram described the service as a way to verify phone numbers, with pricing announced at a fraction of typical SMS costs.

This feature is easy to confuse with Telegram Login, which is a social-login tool introduced earlier. Telegram Login lets people sign into external websites using their Telegram identity, while Telegram Gateway is specifically designed to deliver verification codes. Telegram Passport is different again: it was created for sharing identity documents with services that require real-world verification.

The October 2024 launch also coincided with other Telegram updates, including Gifts and changes to reporting tools. Gateway therefore belongs to Telegram’s business and authentication infrastructure, not its consumer payment system.