Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced the messaging platform will roll out a native non-custodial Gram wallet this summer, bringing self-custody cryptocurrency transactions to its more than 1 billion users worldwide. The move represents one of the largest mainstream deployments of crypto wallet technology to date, embedding blockchain functionality directly into a top-five global messaging app.
The Gram wallet will allow Telegram users to send, receive, and store cryptocurrencies — initially Toncoin (TON), the native token of The Open Network blockchain — without leaving the app. As a non-custodial solution, users retain full control of their private keys, meaning Telegram cannot access or freeze funds. The wallet will integrate with Telegram’s existing username system, enabling transfers as simple as sending a message.
“We’re bringing self-custody to a billion users,” Durov stated, framing the launch as a milestone for mainstream crypto adoption. The wallet leverages TON’s high-throughput, low-fee architecture, which was originally developed by Telegram before being handed off to the open-source community following regulatory pressure from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020.
The integration builds on Telegram’s existing mini-app ecosystem, which has already onboarded millions of users to Web3 applications ranging from games to decentralized finance protocols. By embedding a native wallet, Telegram removes the friction of external browser extensions or standalone apps that have historically been a barrier to entry for non-technical users.
Industry observers note the launch could accelerate TON’s adoption significantly, given Telegram’s massive distribution advantage. However, regulatory scrutiny remains a concern persists, particularly in jurisdictions that view embedded crypto wallets in communication platforms as unlicensed money transmission. According to Cointelegraph, Telegram founder Pavel Durov said 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.
