Now Telegram users don't need a phone number -- they can buy a fake one with crypto

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge Telegram released a new version of its encrypted messaging app today that allows for account signups using purchasable blockchain-based identities instead of real phone numbers. In addition, version 9.2 includes the ability to auto-delete messages on a timer for new chats, and there's an upgrade to the forum-like Topics feature. Users had been required to use their mobile phone number to sign up for Telegram, similar to other end-to-end encrypted messaging...