Telegram Launches TON Wallet for U.S. Users, Bringing Crypto to Mainstream Messaging

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Telegram has officially introduced its native TON Wallet to 87 million users in the United States, providing a streamlined, fee-free way to send stablecoins, swap tokens, stake assets, and make crypto purchases, all without leaving the Telegram chat interface. This new wallet, developed by The Open Platform (TOP) on the TON blockchain (Telegram Open Network), offers users self-custodial control over private keys while eliminating common barriers such as seed phrases and app downloads.

The TON Wallet allows peer-to-peer transfers directly within Telegram messages, mimicking the simplicity of sending a cash transfer in chat. Users can also swap tokens and stake assets to generate yield, supported by seamless fiat on- and off-ramps through debit cards and a no-fee partner, MoonPay. The wallet integrates Mini Apps. Ranging from games to decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and NFT marketplaces like Fragment and STON.fi, without forcing users to leave the Telegram environment.

Andrew Rogozov, CEO of TOP, told CNBC that regulatory uncertainties delayed the U.S. launch, but evolving conditions paved the way for this rollout. TON Wallet employs an innovative split-key backup system: one key links to the user’s Telegram account, the other to their email, doing away with the need to memorize seed phrases. This design aims to deliver “zero friction” transactions, making cryptocurrency more accessible to everyday users.

The rollout in the U.S. follows successful adoption in Europe and Asia, where TON Wallet has already attracted over 100 million users, as reported by CoinSpeaker. Telegram’s entry into the U.S. crypto market positions it as a competitor to established platforms like Coinbase and Cash App, capitalizing on an app Americans are already familiar with for communication.

Telegram originally shelved its TON token project in 2020 after regulatory clashes with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), refunding investors and halting development. Since then, the TON blockchain has thrived under independent development by TOP, while Telegram has focused on supporting features such as tokenized usernames, stickers, and NFTs. This strategic separation has allowed Telegram to avoid the direct regulatory risks of issuing financial products, instead partnering with licensed entities like MoonPay to handle fiat transactions.

Looking ahead, TOP’s recent $28.5 million Series A funding round, valuing the company at $1 billion, is set to accelerate growth across the U.S. and Europe. The expansion will deepen compliance measures, enhance infrastructure, and broaden the ecosystem beyond wallets into blockchain gaming, DeFi, NFTs, and AI-powered tools within Telegram.

The TON network itself is gaining traction, recently breaking into the top 10 crypto assets by market value, according to Reuters. This rise is largely fueled by the integration of messaging on Telegram and the issuance of stablecoins on its blockchain.