TON

Telegram is preparing its biggest push into digital assets yet, with CEO Pavel Durov announcing plans to roll out a native self-custody cryptocurrency wallet to the messaging platform's nearly one billion users this summer.

Telegram will launch a native non-custodial Gram wallet across its app, giving more than one billion users instant, zero-fee crypto transfers while keeping full control of their own funds.

India has ordered Telegram to be removed from app stores, cutting off access for an estimated 104 to 150 million users in a temporary but sweeping move tied to exam-security concerns — a decision that has triggered backlash from Telegram CEO Pavel Durov and sent ripples through crypto markets linked to the TON ecosystem.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced that Toncoin will be renamed GRAM, bringing back the original token name from Telegram’s abandoned blockchain project.

TON finalises transactions in about 0.6 seconds, making it faster than most major Layer 1 blockchains. By comparison, Solana takes around 13 seconds, Ethereum about 13 minutes, and Bitcoin roughly an hour, while Cardano can take up to a day.

Pavel Durov has made a decisive move to reshape the future of Toncoin, announcing that Telegram will become the network’s largest validator while slashing transaction fees by sixfold to nearly zero.

TON Tech has launched AI agents on Telegram that can make onchain transactions like transfers, swaps and trading using user-funded wallets. Users keep control of funds while agents act within set limits without needing approval for every action.

The TON Foundation has launched TON Pay, a new payments tool that lets people pay with Toncoin and USDT directly inside Telegram Mini Apps, without leaving the app or using separate wallets. The system aims to make in-app crypto payments faster and cheaper, with near-instant transactions and fees below one cent.

Telegram has had $500 million of its bonds frozen in Russia because of Western sanctions, blocking payments to Russian holders. The company’s business continues to grow globally, with strong revenues and plans for a future IPO despite the bond freeze.

France has lifted the travel restrictions on Telegram founder Pavel Durov after holding him under nearly a year of judicial control—marking a partial victory for the tech entrepreneur who spent the past twelve months accused of enabling illicit content and criminal activity through his encrypted messaging platform.