Telegram to become TON’s largest validator, Durov says

Telegram founder Pavel Durov said Telegram will replace the TON Foundation as the main driving force behind The Open Network (TON) and become its largest validator, signaling a deeper operational role for the messaging platform in the blockchain ecosystem.

In a Monday Telegram post, Durov said TON fees had dropped sixfold to “nearly zero” and that the next step would be to shift the network’s focus toward “tech superiority.” This includes a new website, new developer tools and performance upgrades.

The changes are expected over the next two to three weeks, according to Durov, who described the move as a step in a plan to “Make TON Great Again.”

The planned shift would make Telegram more central to TON’s infrastructure and roadmap, tightening the link between the blockchain network and the messaging platform that has driven much of its consumer adoption.

It remains unclear what role the TON Foundation will play after the transition, how Telegram’s validator position will be structured, and whether the company will disclose details such as its validator stake or share of network validation.

Cointelegraph reached out to TON for additional information, but had not received a response by publication.

Toncoin’s 24-hour price chart. Source: CoinGecko

Crypto traders have reacted positively to the prospect of Telegram taking a larger operational role in TON. CoinGecko data showed that Toncoin (TON) rose 33.8% over the past 24 hours to $1.86 following Durov’s post.

Telegram has steadily expanded TON integrations

The latest announcement builds on earlier integrations by moving Telegram's role from product distribution and payment rails toward network infrastructure.

In 2024, Durov announced that Telegram would use TON and Toncoin for ad revenue-sharing transactions and payments to channel owners, who recceive 50% of the revenue from ads displayed in their Telegram channels.

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In January 2025, the TON Foundation said it had expanded its partnership with Telegram, making TON Connect the exclusive wallet-connect protocol for Telegram Mini Apps.

Telegram’s blockchain guidelines also said existing Mini Apps operating on other blockchains had to transition to TON by February 2025, including by migrating smart contracts and exclusively using TON Connect.