Background
On navigating the world of cryptocurrency exchanges I regularly change different websites not only for privacy but to have a backup list of ones that do work in case of emergency. On the regular I research the website with all available tools, do a few test transactions with different coins and of course additional checks such as mapping out their infrastructure (direct correlation with their tech skill level).
As a general note I prefer not using ones that provide support only through Telegram. In the instance of trouble though of a 5 figure routine transaction I didn't receive anything and I had to. I didn't think much of it to begin with I thought they had liquidity issues as it's not uncommon for smaller exchange websites not to have their own so I waited. One week later upon checking I still hadn't received hence I sent them an email. No response. Several days after that sent them another email both manually and through their contact form. Silence for another week. My only last option was to contact their 'Telegram support'. There is an infinite amount of reasons of why you shouldn't be using Telegram from security, to privacy, anonymity or stability issues such as competitor paying someone to get your Telegram account and channel taken down.
Research
To resolve the issue I was sent into the rabbit hole of 'how to get anonymous telegram' 'how to signup anonymously to telegram' and all of the likes. While there are many services you can get to receive SMS (simplest being Google Voice) or calls even, it turns out as I already knew even before researching you still in 2024 can't easily signup to Telegram without a smartphone. Since I wasn't using Windows any smartphone emulators were out of the question. Running a Windows VM is not hard but I also had read Telegram had made it hard for people using emulators to signup such as Bluestacks. Some online emulators did work but had severe limitations or requirements such as to upload the entire apk and when you did parts of it wouldn't work such as the sms sending feature. I tried many of them including paid and wasted almost 2 days on the quest. But then an obvious solution appeared after clearing my head and going through it once more.
The Solution
The solution came as an official 'anonymous signup' by Telegram. Below you can see a gif of how it works.
https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ezgif-5-076f4cf0e9.gif?w=600 (or attachment)
If you don't mind spending around $500-$1000 but you do want results right now read below.
Requirements:
Step by step:
Step 1: Install a TON wallet (Tonkeeper, Tonhub, MyTonWallet, xtonwallet) as desktop application or browser addon (FIrefox/Chrome). Get a deposit address.
Step 2: Exchange A SMALL AMOUNT from your privacy coin to TON wallet. (or from privacy coin to ethereum to ton coin)
Step 3: Try to exchange back that small amount to your previous coin. Some TON wallets might not work sending at all due to your operating systems clock not synced (rabbit hole on its own). Try both desktop application and browser addons. If working repeat step 2 with the required amount and proceed to step 4.
Step 4: Go to Fragment Buy an Anonymous Number to see the cost and available numbers for sale now not in auction in the future.
Step 5: Connect your TON wallet to Fragment. Purchase the 'Anonymous' number.
Step 6: On your Linux (or Windows or Mac) machine start the Telegram application and input the 'Anonymous number' you purchased earlier.
Step 7: Go to your Assets and access your number and you will see the code.
Step 8: Input the code into your Telegram application and now you are registered without a burner smartphone, emulator or real phone number.
Resolution
I was able to contact the exchanger and resolve the issue through Telegram. Their response was 'everyone uses Telegram we dont look at the email much' - professionalism at its best. Got my money and put them into my black list of exchangers. Deleted account & resold the 'Anonymous' number with a small loss.
Moral of the story
Don't use Telegram or services that require a 'burner' smartphone as you might find out how not anonymous they are regardless if all purchased cash as there are a multitude of ways to be connected to purchase of device, SIM etc. Don't use exchanges that work solely with Telegram support.
Using insecure messengers is fine up to the point of making contact but you should always advocate further conversation with all parties for open-source, end-to-end encrypted & non-centralized solutions such as Jabber+OMEMO.
On navigating the world of cryptocurrency exchanges I regularly change different websites not only for privacy but to have a backup list of ones that do work in case of emergency. On the regular I research the website with all available tools, do a few test transactions with different coins and of course additional checks such as mapping out their infrastructure (direct correlation with their tech skill level).
As a general note I prefer not using ones that provide support only through Telegram. In the instance of trouble though of a 5 figure routine transaction I didn't receive anything and I had to. I didn't think much of it to begin with I thought they had liquidity issues as it's not uncommon for smaller exchange websites not to have their own so I waited. One week later upon checking I still hadn't received hence I sent them an email. No response. Several days after that sent them another email both manually and through their contact form. Silence for another week. My only last option was to contact their 'Telegram support'. There is an infinite amount of reasons of why you shouldn't be using Telegram from security, to privacy, anonymity or stability issues such as competitor paying someone to get your Telegram account and channel taken down.
Research
To resolve the issue I was sent into the rabbit hole of 'how to get anonymous telegram' 'how to signup anonymously to telegram' and all of the likes. While there are many services you can get to receive SMS (simplest being Google Voice) or calls even, it turns out as I already knew even before researching you still in 2024 can't easily signup to Telegram without a smartphone. Since I wasn't using Windows any smartphone emulators were out of the question. Running a Windows VM is not hard but I also had read Telegram had made it hard for people using emulators to signup such as Bluestacks. Some online emulators did work but had severe limitations or requirements such as to upload the entire apk and when you did parts of it wouldn't work such as the sms sending feature. I tried many of them including paid and wasted almost 2 days on the quest. But then an obvious solution appeared after clearing my head and going through it once more.
The Solution
The solution came as an official 'anonymous signup' by Telegram. Below you can see a gif of how it works.
https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ezgif-5-076f4cf0e9.gif?w=600 (or attachment)
If you don't mind spending around $500-$1000 but you do want results right now read below.
Requirements:
- You run some Linux flavor and have Telegram for Linux installed (though it works on Windows or Mac)
- You have a Monero or other privacy coin as a starting point
- You aren't stupid and know that burner phones can be traced as starting points
- You like privacy
Step by step:
Step 1: Install a TON wallet (Tonkeeper, Tonhub, MyTonWallet, xtonwallet) as desktop application or browser addon (FIrefox/Chrome). Get a deposit address.
Step 2: Exchange A SMALL AMOUNT from your privacy coin to TON wallet. (or from privacy coin to ethereum to ton coin)
Step 3: Try to exchange back that small amount to your previous coin. Some TON wallets might not work sending at all due to your operating systems clock not synced (rabbit hole on its own). Try both desktop application and browser addons. If working repeat step 2 with the required amount and proceed to step 4.
Step 4: Go to Fragment Buy an Anonymous Number to see the cost and available numbers for sale now not in auction in the future.
Step 5: Connect your TON wallet to Fragment. Purchase the 'Anonymous' number.
Step 6: On your Linux (or Windows or Mac) machine start the Telegram application and input the 'Anonymous number' you purchased earlier.
Step 7: Go to your Assets and access your number and you will see the code.
Step 8: Input the code into your Telegram application and now you are registered without a burner smartphone, emulator or real phone number.
Resolution
I was able to contact the exchanger and resolve the issue through Telegram. Their response was 'everyone uses Telegram we dont look at the email much' - professionalism at its best. Got my money and put them into my black list of exchangers. Deleted account & resold the 'Anonymous' number with a small loss.
Moral of the story
Don't use Telegram or services that require a 'burner' smartphone as you might find out how not anonymous they are regardless if all purchased cash as there are a multitude of ways to be connected to purchase of device, SIM etc. Don't use exchanges that work solely with Telegram support.
Using insecure messengers is fine up to the point of making contact but you should always advocate further conversation with all parties for open-source, end-to-end encrypted & non-centralized solutions such as Jabber+OMEMO.
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