Telegram to Launch Native Gram Crypto Wallet This Summer
Telegram plans a native non-custodial Gram wallet, targeting 1B+ users. Founder Pavel Durov announced the summer rollout, promising instant, fee-free crypto transfers. This follows The Open Network's rebranding of Toncoin to Gram, signaling a broader Web3 push within the messaging app.
Quick Take
Telegram to roll out non-custodial Gram wallet to 1B+ users this summer.
Founder Pavel Durov claims it's the largest non-custodial wallet rollout ever.
Follows TON's renaming of Toncoin to Gram, reviving original crypto vision.
Could significantly boost self-custody and peer-to-peer crypto payments.
Market Impact Analysis
BullishMassive user base could significantly expand crypto adoption; Gram rebranding adds narrative momentum, though SEC history and lack of launch details introduce uncertainty.
Speculation Analysis
Key Takeaways
- Telegram to launch a native non-custodial Gram wallet, targeting its 1B+ user base this summer.
- Founder Pavel Durov calls it the “largest rollout of a non-custodial crypto wallet in human history.”
- The wallet will enable instant, feeless peer-to-peer crypto transfers within Telegram.
- Follows TON’s rebranding of Toncoin to Gram, reviving the project’s original 2018 vision.
- Could drive mass adoption of self-custody and on-chain payments at scale.
What Happened
Telegram is preparing to integrate a native non-custodial Gram wallet directly into its messaging platform this summer, founder Pavel Durov announced. The move aims to bring self-custody crypto payments to over 1 billion monthly active users—the largest non-custodial wallet deployment ever. Users will be able to send cryptocurrency instantly and with no fees, bypassing traditional financial rails. The rollout follows The Open Network’s decision to rebrand Toncoin back to Gram, Telegram’s original crypto token from its abandoned 2018 blockchain project. While no exact launch date is set, the wallet promises to make instant, feeless value transfer a default feature for one of the world’s biggest messaging apps.
The Numbers
Telegram counts north of 1 billion monthly active users as of 2025, dwarfing the reach of standalone crypto wallets. The Gram wallet will process peer-to-peer transfers with zero fees, removing a major friction point for new crypto users. The token itself, now called Gram on The Open Network, replaces Toncoin—a symbolic return to Telegram’s crypto origins following the SEC-mandated shutdown of its original TON project. The summer rollout lacks a fixed date, but Durov framed it as the “largest rollout of a non-custodial crypto wallet in human history,” underscoring the sheer scale of the potential user base.
Why It Happened
The wallet launch is the latest step in Telegram’s deepening embrace of The Open Network and Web3. After abandoning its original Gram token in 2020 due to SEC litigation, Telegram pivoted to supporting TON as a community-driven blockchain. The rebrand to Gram revives a powerful narrative and aligns the wallet with Telegram’s early crypto ambitions. By embedding a non-custodial wallet into a mass-market social app, Telegram bets that seamless, feeless crypto payments will attract mainstream users and cement its position as a super-app for both messaging and decentralized finance.
Broader Impact
If adopted by even a fraction of Telegram’s user base, the Gram wallet could become the most widely used non-custodial crypto wallet overnight. It may pressure competitors like Meta and X to accelerate their own crypto integrations. The move also sets a precedent for “crypto-first” features in consumer apps, blurring the line between social networking and decentralized finance. However, regulatory scrutiny—especially from the SEC—could resurface given Telegram’s history.
What to Watch Next
- A firm launch date and technical documentation detailing wallet security, key management, and supported assets.
- How the Gram token integrates with Telegram’s existing payments and advertising systems.
- Potential regulatory pushback, particularly from US authorities, given Telegram’s earlier legal battles with the SEC.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
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