The information you're looking for, specifically about sending "Gift Stars" to friends on Telegram, has been integrated into a broader and more sophisticated gift system. With recent updates, Telegram has evolved its gifting features, connecting them with its in-app currency, "Stars," and the TON (The Open Network) blockchain.

Here is a breakdown of how to send gifts using Stars and TON, based on the latest updates:

The Shift from Simple Gifts to Collectible NFTs
Telegram's gifting system has become much more than just sending a simple sticker or emoji. The platform now offers "Collectible Gifts," which are unique digital assets, similar to NFTs, that can be sent to friends. These gifts can be displayed on a user's profile and even traded on marketplaces.

How to Send a Gift with Stars
The process for sending a gift has been streamlined. While it no longer focuses on sending "Stars" directly as a gift, you use Stars to purchase and send a collectible gift.

Open the recipient's profile: Go to the profile of the friend you want to send the gift to.

Access the gift store: Look for the "Send a Gift" or similar button on their profile. This will open the gift store.

Choose your gift: Browse the variety of animated gifts available. Some are common, while others are limited editions.

Send the gift: You can either send it as a regular gift or, for an extra number of Stars, you can "Upgrade to Collectible." This turns the gift into a unique NFT on the TON blockchain.

Confirm and send: Review your selection and confirm the purchase. The Stars will be deducted from your balance, and the gift will be sent to your friend.

How to Acquire Stars (with TON)
To send gifts, you'll need to have Stars in your Telegram balance. There are a few ways to get them, but using TON is a smart way to save money.

In-app purchase: You can buy Stars directly within the Telegram app using traditional payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Via Fragment (using TON): This is the more cost-effective method.

Set up a TON wallet: You can use Telegram's built-in wallet, TON Space, or a third-party wallet like Tonkeeper.

Acquire Toncoin (TON): You can buy TON directly within the Telegram wallet or on a cryptocurrency exchange.

Buy Stars on Fragment: Go to Fragment.com, connect your TON wallet, and purchase the desired number of Stars using your Toncoin. This method often helps you avoid the 30% fees charged by app stores.

Key Features of the New Gifting System
Collectible Gifts: These are essentially NFTs on the TON blockchain, giving the recipient ownership of a unique digital item.

Profile Display: Recipients can display their favorite gifts on their profile, creating a personal collection.

Gift Collections: You can organize gifts into custom collections based on rarity, theme, or other traits.

Marketplace: If you receive a collectible gift, you can choose to transfer it to a TON wallet and sell it on marketplaces like Fragment.

Profile Rating: Your activity, including purchasing and sending gifts, can increase your "Profile Rating," a badge that indicates a user's level and credibility on the platform.

In summary, the latest updates have transformed the simple act of sending a gift on Telegram into a more engaging, collectible, and monetized experience, all powered by the TON ecosystem.