Key Highlights
- Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, revealed plans for a native non-custodial Gram wallet arriving this summer
- Users across Telegram’s 1 billion+ monthly active base will access instant crypto transfers without transaction fees
- Durov described the initiative as “the largest rollout of a non-custodial crypto wallet in human history”
- The announcement comes after The Open Network rebranded its Toncoin token to Gram
- Specific launch timing, supported cryptocurrencies, and security measures remain undisclosed
Telegram is set to integrate a native cryptocurrency wallet into its messaging platform this summer, enabling users to transfer digital assets instantly without paying transaction fees. The wallet will operate on a non-custodial basis, ensuring users maintain complete control over their funds without relying on Telegram or external custodians.
Pavel Durov, the platform’s founder, revealed the initiative through a Wednesday announcement on Telegram. However, he left critical details unaddressed, including the precise launch timeline, which cryptocurrencies will be supported, and how the platform plans to manage network costs while maintaining zero-fee transactions.
With Telegram surpassing 1 billion monthly active users in 2025, the Gram wallet stands to reach an audience substantially larger than competing standalone cryptocurrency applications.
The wallet functionality will be embedded directly within the messaging platform itself. This integration eliminates the need for users to install separate applications when sending cryptocurrency to their Telegram contacts.
Telegram has remained silent on whether the wallet will launch simultaneously worldwide or deploy gradually through regional phases. Additional details regarding account recovery mechanisms, identity verification protocols, and geographic limitations have yet to be revealed.
The Complex Legacy Behind the Gram Name
The Gram designation carries significant historical baggage. In 2018, Telegram successfully raised $1.7 billion from investors to develop an initial blockchain initiative that shared the same branding.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed legal action against Telegram in 2019, claiming the proposed token distribution constituted unregistered securities offerings. A 2020 settlement required Telegram to refund over $1.2 billion to its investors and pay an additional $18.5 million in civil penalties.
Following the settlement, Telegram abandoned the blockchain project entirely. A community of independent developers picked up the open-source codebase, transforming it into what is now recognized as The Open Network, or TON.
In subsequent years, Telegram has progressively incorporated TON-based functionality into its platform. The network’s token can now be used to purchase advertising space on Telegram, while content creators have the option to receive cryptocurrency payments through the integration.
Token Rebrand Set the Stage for Wallet Announcement
Several weeks prior to announcing the wallet, The Open Network declared it would rename its native token from Toncoin to Gram. Durov characterized the change as reclaiming the project’s original vision and identity.
The rebranding process was projected to span approximately three weeks and required no action from existing token holders to exchange their coins. Following Durov’s disclosure of the name change, Gram experienced a price surge of up to 19%, hitting $2.21.
In April, TON unveiled an Agentic Wallets standard that empowers AI-driven bots within Telegram to manage user-funded wallets for specific operations such as transfers and token exchanges. While both the Gram wallet and Agentic Wallets operate within the Telegram ecosystem, they fulfill distinct functions, and the company has not indicated whether integration between the two is planned.
Durov disclosed in 2025 that prominent venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital and Benchmark had collectively invested over $400 million in Toncoin.
As of now, Telegram has not released technical documentation or developer resources related to the upcoming summer wallet launch.
