Durov announces that Telegram becomes the largest validator of TON

Pavel Durov's announcement reignites attention around TON. According to the founder of Telegram, messaging will take a more direct role in the network. In the process, Toncoin has made strong progress, while several details still remain unclear on the TON Foundation, the validation of the network and the future technical organization.

Telegram takes center stage in TON

Pavel Durov said that Telegram will replace the TON Foundation as the main engine of The Open Network. He also indicated that the platform would become the largest validator on the network. This announcement therefore marks a significant change in the relationship between messaging and the blockchain ecosystem.

In his message published on Monday, Durov explained that TON's fees had been divided by six. They now reach a level presented as almost zero. Then, the next step must focus on the technological superiority of the network, with a new website, new tools for developers and performance improvements.

These changes should arrive in the next two to three weeks. According to Durov, they are part of a plan to strengthen TON. Thus, Telegram is no longer limited to the integration of services related to payments or mini-applications. The platform is now closer to the network infrastructure itself.

This move places Telegram at the heart of TON’s roadmap. It also strengthens the link between blockchain and the messaging application, which has already played a crucial role in its adoption by the general public.

Toncoin jumps after Durov's statement

The market reaction was rapid. Toncoin rose 33.8% in 24 hours after Pavel Durov's publication. The token reached $1.86, according to Coingecko data over the last 24 hours. At the time of writing, Toncoin’s price is hovering around $1.91.

This increase shows that investors welcomed the idea of ​​a more operational role for Telegram in TON. However, the movement remains linked to an announcement whose technical contours are not yet fully known.

Several questions remain open. It is still unclear how Telegram's validator position will be structured. It is also unclear whether the company will publish its exact participation or share in validating the network.

In this context, Toncoin is attracting attention again. The token had already gained visibility thanks to uses integrated into messaging. This time, Toncoin finds itself linked to a more profound evolution, which directly affects the organization of the TON network.

Progressive integration between network, payments and mini-applications

Durov's announcement is part of a development already underway. In 2024, he indicated that Toncoin would be used for transactions related to advertising revenue sharing. Channel owners receive 50% of the revenue generated from advertisements displayed on their channels.

In January 2025, the TON Foundation also announced an extension of its partnership with Telegram. TON Connect then became the exclusive wallet connection protocol for mini-apps. This decision strengthened the use of Toncoin in the messaging ecosystem.

The rules also provided for a migration of existing mini-applications to TON before February 2025, with the movement of smart contracts and the exclusive use of TON Connect. The next step, at the heart of this blockchain transition, will depend on the expected details on validation, governance and the future place of the TON Foundation. Toncoin could remain central, while Telegram will have to clarify its exact role in the network infrastructure.