Toncoin rallied more than 36% over a 24-hour period after Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced that the messaging platform would assume direct operational control over The Open Network (TON), replacing the TON Foundation as the blockchain’s primary driving force. The announcement also included a dramatic reduction in network fees, with transaction costs falling roughly sixfold to approximately 0.00039 TON, or about $0.0005 per transfer.
The token climbed to roughly $1.86, marking its highest level in four months and significantly outperforming the broader crypto market. The rally extended across the wider TON ecosystem, with Notcoin gaining approximately 26% and Dogs token surging more than 100% as traders rotated into Telegram-linked assets.
Durov stated that Telegram would become the largest validator on the network and would oversee a new rollout of developer tools, infrastructure upgrades, and operational changes over the coming weeks. The restructuring marks a major shift for TON, which had operated under an independent governance structure after Telegram abandoned direct involvement in the project following regulatory action by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020.
Telegram’s Strategic Shift Reignites TON Narrative
The latest move has been interpreted by market participants as an attempt to tightly integrate blockchain infrastructure with Telegram’s global messaging ecosystem, which the company says now serves nearly one billion users worldwide. Analysts said the development significantly strengthens TON’s distribution potential by aligning the blockchain directly with Telegram’s product roadmap and user base.
Under the new structure, Telegram is expected to become the network’s dominant validator, giving the company direct influence over transaction verification and network security. Durov described the transition as a push toward tech superiority, while new versions of ton.org, upgraded developer infrastructure, and enhanced network performance are expected within weeks.
The sharp fee reduction was viewed as one of the most commercially significant aspects of the announcement. TON’s near-zero transaction model positions the network as a low-cost payment and consumer application layer focused on high-frequency microtransactions, including in-app payments, bot transactions, gaming, digital collectibles, and peer-to-peer transfers inside Telegram.
Analysts noted that TON now competes directly with ultra-low-cost blockchains such as Solana on transaction efficiency while benefiting from Telegram’s embedded distribution advantage. Unlike many Layer 1 networks that rely primarily on decentralized finance activity, TON’s core growth thesis centers on consumer-facing applications integrated directly into messaging experiences.
Questions Remain Around Fundamentals and Centralization
Despite the rally, some analysts cautioned that the move remains largely narrative-driven until sustained on-chain growth materializes. Toncoin remains more than 77% below its all-time high of $8.25 reached in 2024, while ecosystem activity has declined sharply from peak levels seen during the previous Telegram mini-app boom.
According to data cited by market analysts, TON’s decentralized finance total value locked currently stands near $69 million, compared with nearly $800 million during its 2024 peak. Daily active wallets have also reportedly fallen from around 700,000 at peak usage to below 50,000 in recent months.
Market observers also raised concerns around governance concentration as Telegram assumes greater operational control over the network. While tighter integration could accelerate development and adoption, critics argue the move may increase centralization risks and reduce the independence traditionally associated with blockchain ecosystems.
Even so, the market reaction reflected renewed investor optimism that Telegram’s direct involvement could revive TON’s stalled momentum and position the blockchain as one of the few crypto networks with access to mass consumer distribution at global scale.
