Telegram founder Pavel Durov is bringing back the “Gram” name for The Open Network’s native cryptocurrency, reinstating the original branding from the project’s early days and tightening Telegram’s control over the blockchain ecosystem.
Under the change, the blockchain will continue to operate as The Open Network (TON), but the native token will be referred to as Gram instead of TON across the ecosystem. Durov said the transition will be completed within three weeks and will not affect how the network functions or require action from current token holders.
Part of mtonga strategy and recent upgrades
The rebranding is the fourth phase in Durov’s seven‑step plan known as MTONGA, short for “Make TON Great Again.” Three steps have yet to be disclosed.
Earlier stages of the initiative focused on performance and cost:
- network speed has been raised to near sub‑second transaction settlement, backed by the Catchain 2.0 consensus mechanism, which increased block production speed roughly sixfold
- transaction fees have been reduced by about six times to around $0.0005, making very small on‑chain payments more practical
These changes come alongside broader system upgrades aimed at supporting higher activity and more complex applications on the network.
Telegram to take over as top validator and manager
As part of the same strategic shift, Telegram plans to replace the TON Foundation as the network’s leading validator and primary ecosystem manager.
That move will centralize key responsibilities for network security, upgrades, and governance decisions within Telegram itself. The company’s expanded role is intended to streamline operations and align blockchain development more closely with Telegram’s product roadmap and user interface.
Market reaction has been strong. Following earlier announcements about Telegram’s growing role, the token’s price more than doubled in early May, climbing from around $1.30 to peaks near $2.80.
Network activity and ecosystem growth
Since the community revival of TON, the blockchain has been integrated directly into the Telegram app, enabling:
- payments and person‑to‑person transfers
- swaps and decentralized trading
- staking and other yield‑generating activities
Following the initial MTONGA steps, on‑chain activity has accelerated. Daily swap volume on platforms such as STON.fi reportedly rose more than 26‑fold, from about $1.5 million to over $40 million. Data from Token Terminal shows that April closed with around 67 million transactions, the strongest month for the network in 2026 so far.
Future plans include improved developer tools, an updated website, and upgrades to payment systems, all designed to tap Telegram’s roughly 1 billion users and push wider adoption of on‑chain features.
Return to a contested brand
The Gram name dates back to 2018, when Telegram first launched the Telegram Open Network and planned a large token sale. That effort was halted in 2020 after a legal clash with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which argued that Gram’s issuance violated federal securities laws.
Telegram subsequently ceased token sales, refunded proceeds to purchasers, and formally stepped back from direct involvement in the project. A group of independent developers later revived the blockchain under the name The Open Network (TON), maintaining and expanding the protocol without Telegram’s official participation.
What the rebrand means
By reinstating the Gram name while keeping the TON brand for the blockchain itself, Telegram aims to clearly distinguish between the network and its currency, formalize the token’s identity, and cement its integration inside the messaging app.
The remaining three undisclosed steps of the MTONGA plan are expected to serve as future catalysts for the ecosystem, with Telegram’s strengthened control likely to play a decisive role in how upgrades, governance, and expansion are managed. Traders and ecosystem participants will be watching how this increased centralization balances against the network’s original community‑driven revival.
Explore TON’s ecosystem potential and trading strategies in our guide here before Gram’s rebrand fully rolls out.
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