Telegram founder Pavel Durov said on May 4, 2026, that Telegram will take a much bigger role in The Open Network (TON), even becoming its main driving force.
He said Telegram will go beyond being just a supporter and will step in as the main force behind the network. In simple terms, Telegram will also become the largest validator on TON.
This is a big shift because the TON Foundation has been leading the network until now. After this change, its role may become smaller, but full details are still not clear.
Durov also said TON’s fees have dropped around 6 times and are now close to zero. He linked this move to improving the network’s technical strength and lowering costs for users.
He added that Telegram is planning several upgrades for TON soon. These include a new website, better developer tools, and performance improvements expected within 2–3 weeks, likely by late May 2026.
The reaction in the market was strong. Toncoin jumped sharply after the announcement, rising from about $1.35 to nearly $1.80 in a short time. At its peak, it was up around 28% in 24 hours, with heavy trading activity and strong volume.
TON is now sitting among the top crypto assets by market activity, with billions in market value and hundreds of millions in daily trading volume.
This move also shows how closely Telegram and TON are becoming connected. Over time, Telegram has already added TON-based tools like wallets, digital gifts, and NFT-style features inside its app. Now it looks like the connection is becoming even deeper, with Telegram taking a direct technical role in the network itself.
Still, many details are missing. Telegram has not clearly explained how its validator system will work, how much control it will take, or how the TON Foundation’s role will change going forward.
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