On July 22, 2025, Telegram officially launched the built-in TON (The Open Network) cryptocurrency wallet for more than 87 million users in the US, expanding access to its Web3 ecosystem. This non-custodial wallet, developed by The Open Platform (TOP), allows users to send, receive, and exchange cryptocurrencies such as #Toncoin and #USDT directly within the messenger interface.
Its ease of use, including the ability to transfer funds via chat and purchase assets commission-free through MoonPay, makes the wallet attractive to beginners, while support for staking and #DeFi applications is geared toward experienced users.
The TON wallet is integrated into Telegram, eliminating the need for additional apps or extensions, and users have full control over their private keys for enhanced security. In the US, the wallet also offers a unique feature of withdrawing funds to bank cards, which distinguishes it from other regions where it is already available to over 100 million users. The launch in the US was made possible after regulatory hurdles were overcome, although Telegram outsources fiat operations to partners such as MoonPay to minimize risks.
The launch of TON Wallet strengthens Telegram's position as a platform that combines messenger and #Web3 functionality, but raises questions in the community. The exclusive partnership with TON, which excludes support for other blockchains for Mini Apps, has drawn criticism from some developers.
In addition, the decline in total value locked (TVL) on the TON network from $760 million to $160 million by July 2025 points to potential challenges. Nevertheless, Telegram's convenience and scale could significantly accelerate the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies, especially in the #US.
