TON (blockchain) (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Layer-1 blockchain network

The Open Network
Other names TON
Original authors Nikolai Durov, Pavel Durov
Developers TON Core (TON Foundation); previously Telegram Messenger Inc.
Initial release 6 September 2019; 6 years ago (2019-09-06)
Stable release v2025.06 / 27 June 2025; 3 months ago (2025-06-27)
Repository github.com/ton-blockchain/ton
Written in C++, FunC, Fift, Tact, Tolk
Operating system Linux, macOS, Windows
Platform Blockchain, Distributed computing
Type Blockchain, Cryptocurrency
License LGPL-2.1-or-later
Website ton.org
This article needs attention from an expert in Cryptography or Computing. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article. WikiProject Cryptography or WikiProject Computing may be able to help recruit an expert. (October 2025)

TON, also known as The Open Network (previously Telegram Open Network), is a decentralized layer-1 blockchain. TON was originally developed by Nikolai Durov who is also known for his role in creating the messaging platform, Telegram.[1][2]

Telegram had planned to use TON to launch its own cryptocurrency (Gram), but was forced to abandon the project in 2020 following an injunction by US regulators. The network was then renamed and independent developers have created their own cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (dApps) using TON. Toncoin, the principal token of The Open Network is deeply integrated into the Telegram messaging app, used for paying rewards to creators and developers,[3] buying Telegram ads, hosting giveaways or purchasing services such as Telegram Premium. In January 2025, it was preparing a US launch.[4]

The Open Network (TON) began in January 2018 when Telegram Messenger Inc. and TON Issuer Inc. started selling "Gram" tokens to finance development of the Telegram Open Network blockchain, ultimately raising US$1.7 billion across two private SAFT rounds.[5]

On 11 October 2019, the U.S. SEC obtained an emergency injunction in the Southern District of New York, alleging the offer and sale of Grams constituted an unregistered securities offering.[6] Telegram settled the case on 26 June 2020, agreeing to repay US$1.224 billion to investors and pay an US$18.5 million civil penalty, while formally ceasing work on TON.[7]

In parallel, developers Anatoliy Makosov and Kirill Emelyanenko organised a separate community effort—initially nicknamed "New TON"—to continue the canonical Telegram code without altering its core architecture.[8][_non-primary source needed_] Their group incorporated the non-profit TON Foundation in Switzerland in 2021, assumed stewardship of the code repository, and renamed the native asset Toncoin.[9]

Telegram integrated Toncoin peer-to-peer transfers via the @wallet bot in April 2022.[10] In September 2023 Telegram began offering a self-custodial wallet ("TON Space") for its 900 million-user base.[11]

In April 2024 Tether (USDT) issued a native TON version.[12] In March 2025 a wallet upgrade introduced trading and staking features to 100 million users on Telegram.[13]

STON.fi is a decentralized exchange (DEX) operating on the TON blockchain. It utilizes an automated market maker (AMM) model to allow users to swap TON-based assets without intermediaries. STON.fi supports the Jetton token standard and enables liquidity provision, yield farming, and permissionless trading.[14]

Launched in 2022, STON.fi has grown to become one of the primary liquidity hubs in the TON ecosystem. It is natively integrated into Telegram’s TON Wallet, enabling token swaps directly within the wallet interface and claiming around 80 % of trading activity on TON. [15]

According to Dune Analytics, 62% of all liquidity provider (LP) fees in the TON ecosystem during 2025 were generated on STON.fi, meaning nearly two-thirds of swap fees flowed directly to its liquidity providers.[16]

  1. ^ Ray, Siladitya. "Telegram-Linked Toncoin Slumps 20% Since Pavel Durov's Arrest—As Crypto Industry Calls For Billionaire's Release". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  2. ^ Weeks, Ryan; Kharif, Olga (2025-07-24). "Ton Foundation Seeking to Join Crypto Treasury Company Trend With Toncoin Pitch". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  3. ^ "Mini App Bar, Paid Media, Story Search & More". Telegram. 2024-06-30. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  4. ^ Weeks, Ryan (2025-01-14). "Telegram-Linked TON Blockchain to Expand in US as Trump Courts Crypto". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  5. ^ "SEC Halts Alleged $1.7 Billion Unregistered Digital Token Offering". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  6. ^ "Complaint filed in SEC v. Telegram Group Inc. (S.D.N.Y.)" (PDF). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  7. ^ TechCrunch (2020-06-26). "Telegram to pay SEC fine of 18.5millionandreturn18.5 million and return 18.5millionandreturn1.2 billion to investors as it dissolves TON". Retrieved 2025-09-17.
  8. ^ "Interview with TON's Technical Lead Anatoliy Makosov". TON Foundation Blog. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  9. ^ "Understanding the TON Ecosystem's Growth". The Fintech Times. 2024-09-18. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  10. ^ "Cryptoverse: TON takes off on Telegram tie-up". Reuters. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  11. ^ "Telegram starts to look like a super app, echoing WeChat". TechCrunch. 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  12. ^ "TON takes off on Telegram tie-up". Reuters. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  13. ^ "Crypto wallet integrated with Telegram introduces crypto trading and yield features". TechCrunch. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  14. ^ Team, AMBCrypto (2025-09-19). "Beyond Tap-to-Earn: TON's Strategic Path to Mainstream DeFi". AMBCrypto. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  15. ^ Team, AMBCrypto (2025-09-19). "Beyond Tap-to-Earn: TON's Strategic Path to Mainstream DeFi". AMBCrypto. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  16. ^ "TON DEX: Protocol & LP fees earned By Year". www.dune.com. Retrieved 2025-09-17.