Telegram Becomes Largest Validator on TON Network, Toncoin Surges 100%
Telegram has formally replaced the TON Foundation as the main force behind The Open Network (TON), with founder Pavel Durov confirming the messenger will become the chain’s largest validator. The announcement is part of the third stage of Durov’s “Make TON Great Again” program, placing Telegram at the center of TON’s infrastructure. Toncoin (TON) responded by rallying more than 100% as investors interpreted the move as the strongest signal that Telegram plans to anchor a billion-user crypto economy on the chain. Alexander Tobol, CTO of Wallet in Telegram, noted that the chain was originally built by Telegram’s team before spinning out as an open-source project. The validator move signals deeper commitment from Telegram, lifting interest in TON as a core part of the messenger’s stack. Durov’s team staked about 2.2 million TON to claim the largest validator slot, deepening Telegram’s stake in network security. The messenger’s reach of over one billion users gives TON a distribution edge few rivals can match. For wallet and key holders, this development increases the likelihood that TON will become the default blockchain for Telegram’s ecosystem, including transfers, payments, and mini-apps. The network’s recent Catchain 2.0 upgrade, which cut block times to 400 milliseconds, finality to one second, and fees to around $0.0005, makes it well-suited for high-frequency, low-value transactions. However, the rally leaves limited margin for execution missteps, and investors should watch for evidence that Telegram’s validator role translates into sustained on-chain activity rather than speculative momentum.
关键事实
- Telegram becomes largest validator on TON, staking 2.2 million TON.
- Toncoin surges over 100% following the announcement.
- Catchain 2.0 upgrade cuts block times to 400 ms and fees to $0.0005.
- Telegram's 1 billion users give TON unmatched distribution.
- Next growth driver expected from bots and mini-apps within Telegram.