On September 13, the TON Foundation announced the official reintegration of The Open Network (TON) with Telegram. This partnership introduces TON Space, a self-custody cryptocurrency wallet, to Telegram’s 800 million active users. Accessible via @wallet, this exclusive wallet aims to onboard 500 million users into the crypto space by 2028—a 33x increase from today’s 15 million crypto users.
"Telegram surpassed 800 million active users in October 2023, growing at an annual rate of 44.34%."
The Open Network (TON): A Brief Overview
Originally created in 2018 by Telegram founders Pavel and Nikolai Durov, TON is a scalable blockchain designed to handle Telegram’s massive user base. After regulatory challenges in 2020, the TON Foundation took over its development in 2021.
Key features of TON include:
- Infinite sharding for high throughput (millions of transactions per second).
- Asynchronous smart contracts to optimize network efficiency.
- TON Coin, the native token used for gas fees, staking, and payments.
The Team Behind TON
- Pavel Durov: Founder of Telegram and early Bitcoin advocate (ranked #112 on Forbes’ billionaire list).
- Nikolai Durov: Mathematician and co-developer of TON’s core protocols.
- TON Foundation: A Swiss nonprofit steering ecosystem growth without controlling the technology.
TON Ecosystem: Key Components
| Component | Description | Stats (Oct 2023) |
|--------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| TON Blockchain | Layer 1 with infinite sharding | 3.6M smart contracts |
| TON Space | Self-custody wallet (supports BTC/USDT) | 845K active wallets |
| TON Payments | Crypto-fiat gateway | 551 DApps live |
👉 Explore TON’s latest developments
Why TON Stands Out
- Low fees: NFT minting costs ~500x cheaper than Ethereum.
- Telegram integration: Direct access to 800M+ potential users.
- Ambition: Targeting 5B crypto adopters by 2028.
FAQs
Q: What is TON’s growth potential?
A: With Telegram’s user base and TON’s scalability, it could become a top-5 blockchain by adoption. However, regulatory hurdles remain a challenge.
Q: Is TON Coin a good investment?
A: While backed by strong tech and Telegram’s reach, crypto investments carry high volatility. Diversify and research thoroughly.
Q: How does TON compare to Solana or Ethereum?
A: TON focuses on mass-scale transactions via sharding, whereas Ethereum prioritizes decentralization and Solana emphasizes speed.
👉 Stay updated on TON’s progress
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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