According to a tweet sent by Litecoin founder Charlie Lee on August 9, the encrypted messenger app Telegram will now support Litecoin (LTC) transactions. The new feature is called Lite.im and has been put together by Zulu Republic, a Swiss blockchain startup. The company specializes in the development of decentralized applications that run on the Ethereum blockchain. Zulu Republic has announced the availability of the new feature on their blog. Their post provides more details of how the service works and the benefits it provides to cryptocurrency users from all over the world. The company stated that Litecoin transactions are done by using their backend LTC API system, while emphasizing that the company doesn't manage private key data for added security. The blockchain startup stated that they've chosen the Telegram messenger app to roll out their new feature as the app is a highly secure messaging platform that has powerful privacy features. Lite.im is very convenient for Litecoin users, as it allows them to verify their current LTC balance and send coins to a recipient either by using a Litecoin wallet address or email. Zulu Republic has also talked about plans to enhance the Lite.im feature and make it even more powerful in the near future. One of their goals is to allow Litecoin users to make transactions by text message (SMS). This is particularly useful for individuals who don't have reliable access to a broadband Internet connection. The company has mentioned that while 64 percent of the world's population has access to a mobile phone, only 33 percent has a smartphone with access to the Internet. Having the ability to make cryptocurrency transactions by SMS will benefit individuals who live in areas where Internet access isn't readily available, where few people have access to financial institutions or where autocratic governments censor what people can do online. Litecoin is a popular cryptocurrency that was launched as an alternative to Bitcoin. It currently ranks seventh in terms of global market capitalization. According to market data, Litecoin is currently trading at nearly $64 for 1 LTC.