The NFT landscape in 2025 has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days when flashy drops and speculative hype dominated the scene. Today, the focus has shifted towards building sustainable, community-driven projects that prioritize genuine engagement over quick profits. This change is evident in the projected growth of the NFT market, which is expected to expand from $43.08 billion in 2024 to $61.01 billion in 2025, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 41.6% . Such growth underscores the increasing importance of fostering strong communities around NFT projects.
Platforms like Discord and Telegram have emerged as essential tools in this new era. Discord’s user base has surged to 200 million monthly active users as of May 2025, reflecting a 30% increase from 2023 . Similarly, Telegram has reached a milestone of 1 billion monthly active users in March 2025 . These platforms offer unique opportunities for NFT projects to cultivate engaged communities, facilitate real-time communication, and build lasting relationships with their audiences. In this guide, we’ll delve into practical strategies for leveraging Discord and Telegram to enhance your NFT marketing efforts. From understanding the shift towards community-centric projects to implementing effective engagement tactics, we’ll explore how these platforms can help you build a thriving NFT community in 2025 and beyond.
Why Community Is the New Crypto Currency in Web3
Let’s face it NFT projects in 2025 aren’t judged by flashy art or even their minting price anymore. The real value? It’s in the holders. Those who actually believe in the project, show up for weekly updates, hype it on social, and stick around even when markets wobble. If you’re building in Web3, you’re not just selling JPEGs you’re building a tribe.
NFTs Without Community Are Just Tokens With Expiry Dates
Sure, a hot launch might grab headlines. But what happens next? Without a loyal community, even the most hyped project fizzles out fast. Recent data shows that over 68% of NFT projects that lacked an active community saw their floor price collapse within six months. That’s no coincidence buyers aren’t just buying digital assets; they’re buying access, identity, and belonging.
Holders = Long-Term Value (and Secondary Sales Gold)
Want consistent secondary market activity? You need engaged holders. Community members who participate in governance, share fan-made content, or help onboard new users are more likely to hold, trade, and talk about your project. It’s free marketing and it works better than most paid campaigns.
A report from NonFungible.com shows that NFT collections with high Discord activity averaged 2.5x more secondary sales volume compared to those with low interaction. That’s a serious multiplier and it comes directly from strong community vibes.
Trust and Transparency: The Real Marketing Currency
In 2025, authenticity beats algorithms. NFT buyers want to feel seen, heard, and valued. That means being available, transparent, and not afraid to engage in tough conversations. Two-way communication isn’t optional anymore it’s expected.
Discord lets you do this with town halls, live AMAs, and role-based chats. Telegram delivers instant feedback loops and real-time updates. These platforms create that “always-on” presence that Web3 users now crave. When your community feels like part of the journey, they don’t just stick around they bring others with them.
Discord and Telegram: Why They Still Reign Supreme
Let’s be honest Web3 moves fast. New tools and platforms show up almost weekly, each promising to be the “next big thing” for NFT engagement. But here we are in 2025, and two names still dominate the scene: Discord and Telegram. Despite the hype around Web3-native apps and tokenized social layers, these two platforms continue to be the bedrock for NFT community building and it’s not by accident.
Still on Top: No Platform Comes Close
Discord and Telegram didn’t just survive they thrived. Discord now serves over 200 million monthly active users, while Telegram crossed 1 billion as of Q1 2025. Both have evolved their tools specifically for creator ecosystems, DAOs, and NFT brands.
The reason for their dominance? They meet users where they already are not just technically, but socially and emotionally.
While Web3 startups are still ironing out UX issues or pushing unfamiliar interfaces, Discord and Telegram have already nailed the basics: real-time chats, easy access, and scalable communities.
Telegram vs. Discord: Different Vibes, Same Loyalty
These two giants may serve the same goal community engagement but they do it with different energy.
- Telegram is all about speed and simplicity. It’s where NFT drops, flash airdrops, and viral meme wars happen in real time. It’s mobile-first, frictionless, and perfect for quick interactions. Users love it for its clean UX, privacy features, and the lack of unnecessary fluff.
- Discord, on the other hand, is where deeper community building happens. With channels, roles, stages, and voice chats, it offers structure, depth, and hierarchy. It’s the go-to for daily updates, project roadmaps, AMAs, and collaborative discussions.
The difference in behavior is clear: Telegram users check in constantly, reacting in the moment. Discord users stay longer, participate in discussions, and contribute to the culture of the project.
Built on Trust: Why NFT Communities Stick With Them
Trust is everything in NFTs. And both Discord and Telegram have earned it.These platforms have a track record. NFT communities know how to use them, what to expect, and where to find support. They’ve been tested across thousands of launches, rug pulls, and bear markets. Users aren’t just familiar with these platforms they feel safe in them.
And here’s the kicker: projects that rely on Discord and Telegram consistently report higher retention rates, better holder engagement, and more organic referrals. Why? Because the platforms foster genuine connections, not just announcements.
Looking to grow your NFT community with proven strategies?
Deep Dive into Discord for NFT Marketing
There’s a reason almost every serious NFT project lives on Discord in 2025. It’s not just a chat app it’s a full-blown ecosystem tailored for community management at scale. From token-gated access to interactive events, Discord gives NFT brands the exact tools they need to engage holders, drive loyalty, and build hype that actually sticks.
Custom-Built for Community Management
Discord’s biggest strength? Structure.
- Channels = clarity. You can segment discussions into neat spaces: announcements, general chat, meme rooms, support, collab requests you name it. No endless scroll, no clutter.
- Roles = control. Set permissions, unlock exclusive features, and reward your most active users with prestige-based roles like “OG,” “Alpha Holder,” or “DAO Voter.” Roles aren’t just titles they’re social currency.
- Token-Gating = exclusivity. Thanks to tools like Collab.Land or Guild.xyz, holders can connect their wallets and unlock private chatrooms, VIP alpha groups, or sneak peeks of upcoming drops. It’s the ultimate flex and it keeps bots and outsiders out.
Tools That Drive Engagement
Discord isn’t passive. It’s designed to keep people talking.
- Reaction Roles: Let users self-assign roles by reacting to messages whether it’s regional tags, collection-specific groups, or team-based game modes. It makes interaction feel like a game.
- Announcement Bots: Auto-push updates to holders, post across channels, and even ping user segments based on their roles. No one misses a beat, and your project stays top-of-mind.
- Verification Flows: Use CAPTCHA bots, wallet-linking, or invite-only gates to keep spam out and quality in. It shows you care about security and users notice.
- Stage Channels & Community Calls: Host weekly AMAs, fireside chats, or founder Q&As. These voice-based events mimic Twitter Spaces but feel more intimate and interactive.
- Live Builds & Feedback Rooms: Want product feedback? Use Discord to prototype in real-time with your users. You’ll get ideas, bug reports, and genuine buy-in all without spending a dime on consultants.
Case Studies of Successful NFT Discords
Let’s talk real examples because theory only gets you so far.
- Azuki: Their Discord is a masterclass in role-based access. From “Gardeners” to “Bean Holders,” every role comes with perks and personality. They also maintain tight announcement pacing and regular community calls.
- DeGods: Their onboarding flow is sleek and fast. New users are welcomed with custom GIFs, auto-verification bots, and role prompts all within minutes. It creates a sense of belonging before the user even types a word.
- World of Women: Known for building an inclusive vibe, their content frequency is carefully curated daily updates, bi-weekly live chats, and monthly community showcases. This balance keeps members informed without overwhelming them.
The Telegram Effect: Speed, Simplicity, and Scale
In the fast-paced world of NFT marketing, where seconds can make or break a drop, Telegram continues to be the real-time rocket launcher for community growth and hype. It’s lightweight, immediate, and laser-focused on communication. While Discord is perfect for deeper community building, Telegram wins when speed, virality, and accessibility are top priority.
Whether you’re running a stealth mint, flash giveaway, or trying to ignite a FOMO-driven countdown, Telegram delivers instant access to your most active fans right in their pockets.
Real-Time Hype Generation
Telegram is the heartbeat of NFT launches. It fuels urgency like no other platform.
- Instant replies and active threads spark energy in seconds. One pinned message about a whitelist drop and boom you’re flooded with fire emojis, alpha leaks, and gif replies. That momentum? It’s priceless.
- Group psychology fuels engagement. When users see hundreds of others reacting to an update in real time, it creates a feedback loop. This social proof encourages silent members to jump in and helps turn casual onlookers into dedicated holders.
- Broadcast channels vs. group chats: Use broadcast channels for curated, announcement-only feeds. Clean, quiet, and perfect for pushing updates to 10K+ members without noise. Then, drive deeper community interaction inside your group chats where real-time Q&As, drop alerts, or “alpha-only” leaks keep users coming back hourly.
Built-in Virality and Utility
Telegram isn’t just a messaging app it’s a marketing Swiss Army knife.
- Stickers and GIF packs make your project memorable. Branded sticker sets often go viral inside other groups, bringing you new eyeballs without paid ads. Think of them as meme marketing with your logo on top.
- Pinned messages and automated FAQs help guide new users and keep chats from turning chaotic. Don’t want to answer “When mint?” for the 300th time? Let the pinned messages and bots do the work.
- Polls and quizzes keep users interactive. They’re great for quick feedback, governance, or even mini-games like treasure hunts.
- Bots = scale on autopilot:
- Setup bots that answer FAQs, assign roles, check wallet balances, or even run giveaways.
- Anti-spam bots keep your group clean, letting real users thrive without distractions.
- Holder verification bots help you offer exclusive content or perks to actual NFT owners.
Campaign Examples on Telegram That Worked
Telegram has been the launchpad for some of the biggest NFT growth hacks in 2025.
- Airdrop Campaigns
Case: MetaRockets
This project used Telegram to run a viral airdrop that added 40,000 members in just five days. How?- Step 1: Drop a teaser in the channel
- Step 2: Post a Google Form for wallet collection
- Step 3: Ask users to tag three friends and post a screenshot
- Step 4: Pin the top responses and reward the most active contributors
- The result? Organic buzz, trending hashtags, and a Discord that filled up overnight.
- Influencer-Driven Raids and “Pin-to-Win” Games
Web3 influencers hosted limited-time events in partner Telegram groups. The mechanics were simple: react to a message, answer a quiz, or reply with a meme and win whitelist spots or NFTs.
Strategic Differences Between Discord and Telegram
In the fast-moving world of NFT marketing, using the right platform at the right time can make or break your community strategy. While Discord and Telegram may seem similar on the surface both built around messaging and group interaction their strengths lie in entirely different zones. Discord offers structure and depth. Telegram brings speed and accessibility. Understanding when to use each and how to integrate both is the foundation of any successful Web3 community in 2025.
When to Use Telegram vs. When Discord Is Better
Telegram shines when speed matters. If you’re launching a limited-time airdrop, teasing a surprise mint, or hosting a fast-paced giveaway, Telegram is your best friend. It’s mobile-native, frictionless, and perfect for real-time hype. You can ping thousands of users with one update and watch the replies flood in instantly. It’s also ideal for onboarding new users who might not be familiar with more complex tools.
Discord, on the other hand, is your command center. It’s where structured conversations, detailed support, and token-gated communities thrive. If your project includes long-term plans, role-based privileges, weekly events, or DAO governance, Discord is the place to build. The platform allows you to segment your audience, organize topics into clear channels, and create a true sense of hierarchy within your holder base. Think of Telegram as your amplifier and Discord as your HQ.
Combining Both: The Dual-Platform Strategy for Web3 Projects
You don’t have to pick one platform. In fact, some of the most successful NFT projects today are running both side by side and doing it with precision. The smart move is to use Telegram to attract attention, then funnel your most engaged users into Discord for a deeper experience.
For example, you might start by hosting an airdrop or meme contest on Telegram to go viral. Once users show interest, you can invite them to your Discord server where they can unlock exclusive content, participate in AMAs, and earn roles based on engagement or token ownership. Telegram builds the top of the funnel. Discord nurtures it. When you build this bridge properly, you turn hype into community and visitors into holders.
Engagement Cadence: Daily Content on Telegram, Weekly Rituals on Discord
Consistency matters. But that doesn’t mean you need to post the same content across both platforms every day. The trick is to tailor your content cadence to match the strengths of each tool.
Telegram is built for daily micro-engagements. Use it to share bite-sized updates, ask quick poll questions, run emoji reactions, or drop surprise announcements. The goal here is to keep energy high and touch base with your audience in short bursts perfect for mobile users checking in throughout the day.
Discord, meanwhile, works best with a slower, more meaningful rhythm. Establish weekly rituals like “Monday Updates,” “Thursday Holder Huddles,” or “Sunday Showcases.” These scheduled sessions give your community something to look forward to, and they reinforce long-term loyalty. When you layer fast-paced Telegram updates with scheduled Discord depth, you create a flywheel that drives both engagement and retention.
Growing Your NFT Community from Scratch
Let’s face it launching an NFT project in 2025 without a solid community is like minting art into a void. No matter how great your design or tech is, if no one’s talking about it, it’s not going anywhere. That’s why the smartest NFT teams don’t wait until after launch to “build community.” They treat it as a core pillar from day one. In fact, your Discord or Telegram group should feel alive long before the first mint goes live.
Pre-Launch Planning
The hype doesn’t start on mint day it starts weeks before. Building a strong community begins with planting seeds early and being intentional with every step.
Start by releasing teaser content across your socials. Post sneak peeks of your art, behind-the-scenes updates, or short founder videos. Keep it raw, engaging, and story-driven. This kind of content stirs curiosity and primes people to care about the journey not just the drop.
Then, drive traffic to a well-designed landing page. This is where visitors can sign up for whitelist alerts, join your Telegram or Discord, and stay looped in. Keep the form short and frictionless, but include a “Why this matters” message to build emotional connection.
Most importantly, set up your Discord server or Telegram group before mint. Even if you only have 100 members, create a welcoming environment with basic roles, clear rules, and pinned messages. Add a welcome bot, a teaser countdown, and maybe a pre-launch AMA. People who join early want to feel like insiders give them that.
Post-Mint Community Nurturing
The moment your mint ends is when the real work begins. Too many projects fumble here by going silent or shifting focus solely to floor price. Don’t be that project. The post-mint phase is your chance to convert holders into advocates. Start by offering exclusive perks private channels, early access to staking, or alpha drops just for holders. Use token-gated access to reward those who supported you early.
Now, keep things fun and collaborative. Run contests for fan art, memes, or lore writing, and invite the community to co-create the world with you. When people feel like they’re contributing to the story, they stick around longer and talk about it more. Also, make it a habit to share progress updates. Even if you’re weeks away from your next launch or feature, tell your community what you’re working on. Transparency builds trust, and trust builds loyalty.
Retention Strategies That Work in 2025
If 2021 was about hype and 2023 was about utility, 2025 is all about engagement loops. The communities that thrive are the ones that keep people coming back not just for news, but for the experience.
Here’s what works right now:
- Reward Systems: Introduce XP-based leaderboards or points for chat activity, contest wins, or helpful behavior. Use tools like MEE6, Arcane, or custom bots to automate it.
- Token Airdrops: Surprise and delight your holders with random drops, bonus NFTs, or access to partner collabs. Even small rewards drive massive loyalty.
- Live Sessions: Weekly AMAs, voice chats, and casual hangouts create rituals that anchor people to your brand. Let them talk to founders, artists, or even special guests.
- Community Councils: Set up holder committees that help decide on upcoming features, events, or roadmap updates. This creates emotional investment and deeper buy-in.
- Gamified Loops: Create “missions” for your community. Whether it’s sharing content, recruiting friends, or solving lore puzzles, gamification boosts engagement and makes your project more memorable.
Conclusion
In 2025, successful NFT marketing isn’t about flashy launches or viral stunts it’s about building meaningful, engaged communities on platforms people actually use. Discord and Telegram remain the most powerful tools for cultivating that connection, offering the perfect balance of structure, speed, and scalability. Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling an established project, mastering both platforms is non-negotiable. Ready to take your NFT project to the next level? Blockchain App Factory provides end-to-end NFT marketing services, helping you craft tailored strategies, grow your community, and sustain long-term engagement in a competitive Web3 world.
