A former executive from The Open Network (TON) Foundation, Justin Hyun, has co-launched Affluent, a new cryptocurrency investment app directly integrated into Telegram. The platform aims to simplify decentralised finance (DeFi) by combining traditional finance (TradFi) structures with blockchain-based systems to create an intuitive, one-click investing experience for users across all knowledge levels.

Officially launched on Monday, Affluent runs natively on the TON blockchain and introduces automated yield generation, expert vault management, and a risk-aware lending infrastructure, all accessible within Telegram’s interface.

From Complex DeFi to One-Click Investing

According to co-founder and co-CEO Justin Hyun, who previously served as Director of Institutional Growth and Head of Incubation at TON Foundation, Affluent is designed to democratise asset management by removing the technical barriers of DeFi.

“Our goal is to transform complex DeFi services into a simple and intuitive experience where users of all backgrounds and knowledge levels can easily invest and grow their wealth,” Hyun said in a statement shared with Cointelegraph.

At the heart of Affluent’s offering is the Strategy Vault and Vault Manager system, a key feature that enables users to deposit assets into smart contract-based vaults. These vaults are managed by a combination of automated algorithms and expert financial managers who optimise asset distribution across lending markets to maximise returns.

Blending TradFi Risk Controls with Web3 Innovation

Co-founder and co-CEO Hyung Lee, a veteran in traditional finance and options trading, adds a layer of institutional strategy to Affluent’s DeFi mechanics. Lee believes the platform successfully bridges the best of both financial worlds.

“By engineering solutions from traditional finance and developing them into a fully modular blockchain-based infrastructure, we are building the next generation of DeFi protocols, one that has all the advantages of Web3, but with the security and risk management of TradFi,” Lee explained.

Affluent’s architecture is designed with modularity and scalability in mind. The platform features isolated lending pools, reducing the risk of bad debt spreading across the entire system. Each pool’s risk exposure remains localised, preserving overall protocol integrity even in volatile market conditions.

Security, Risk Mitigation and Future Insurance Plans

Understanding the inherent volatility in the crypto lending industry, Affluent has taken proactive measures to protect user funds. The protocol has undergone a security audit by Trail of Bits, a leading firm in the blockchain security space.

In addition to this, Affluent’s vaults are monitored by “highly sophisticated institutions” who constantly track utilisation rates and make real-time decisions to balance risk and return.

Co-CEO Hyun also clarified a common concern: flash loan attacks, often a major vulnerability in DeFi protocols. “Flash loans are not a risk due to TON’s asynchronous design,” he said.

While user deposits currently have no insurance, Hyun noted that this is an area the team is actively considering as the platform scales.

A Natural Evolution from TON Incubation to DeFi Infrastructure

Affluent’s emergence follows years of foundational work by Hyun at the TON Foundation, where he launched the network’s first global hackathon and spearheaded its institutional adoption. His experience, combined with Lee’s traditional finance background and previous work at DeFi R&D firm B-Harvest, gives Affluent a credible blend of technical, operational, and financial expertise.

The protocol’s full Telegram integration is a strategic move to tap into Telegram’s vast user base and provide easy access to DeFi tools without the friction of traditional crypto wallets or dApps.

Democratising Wealth Through Telegram

Affluent positions itself as a gateway to DeFi for the average user, offering them a straightforward way to earn yield with minimal setup or technical knowledge. By embedding complex financial strategies into a Telegram bot-like experience, the app could redefine how everyday investors interact with blockchain finance.

As Hyun and Lee continue to scale the platform, future plans may include adding deposit insurance, onboarding more institutional managers, and expanding into other Telegram-linked financial products.

For now, Affluent stands as an ambitious attempt to simplify DeFi without compromising on safety or performance, bringing the power of decentralised finance to users where they already are: inside Telegram.