Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced the messaging platform will roll out a native non-custodial Gram wallet this summer, bringing self-custody crypto transactions to its more than 1 billion users, according to Cointelegraph.
The Gram wallet will be integrated directly into the Telegram app, allowing users to send, receive, and store cryptocurrencies without leaving the platform. Durov emphasized that the wallet will be non-custodial, meaning users retain full control of their private keys — a significant departure from the custodial wallets offered by many centralized platforms.
Telegram’s previous cryptocurrency effort, the Telegram Open Network (TON) and its Gram token, was shut down by the U.S. SEC in 2020 after a $1.2 billion token sale was deemed an unregistered securities offering. The current TON blockchain operates independently of Telegram, though the messaging app has integrated TON-based features including a wallet and NFT marketplace.
The new native Gram wallet represents Telegram’s most ambitious crypto integration yet. With over 1 billion monthly active users, the feature could dramatically expand mainstream access to self-custody cryptocurrency wallets. Durov stated the wallet will support multiple blockchains and tokens.
Industry analysts note that Telegram’s distribution advantage is unmatched — no other crypto wallet has immediate access to a user base of this scale. The move could accelerate crypto adoption globally, particularly in regions where Telegram dominates messaging and traditional banking infrastructure is limited.
The announcement comes as major platforms including Meta, X, and Reddit have explored or launched crypto integrations. Telegram’s approach differs by prioritizing non-custodial architecture and leveraging the existing TON ecosystem rather than building a proprietary blockchain.
Source: Cointelegraph
