Toncoin Surges 36% as Telegram Takes Direct Control of TON

Toncoin hits a four-month high of $1.89 after Pavel Durov announces Telegram will replace the TON Foundation as the network's primary driving force.

The token surged by over 36% within 24 hours, reaching a four-month high of approximately $1.89 as investors reassess the network’s potential. Despite the rally, TON saw a slight correction and is trading at $1.79 at the time of writing, maintaining a 26% gain for the day.

Telegram Takes Control of the Ecosystem

The primary catalyst for this growth is Telegram’s decision to shift from a passive partner to the main driver of The Open Network. According to a statement by Pavel Durov, the company will take a central role in the network’s development, including becoming its largest validator.

This represents a significant shift in governance, effectively displacing the TON Foundation from its central position. For investors, this move signals a clearer direction and a stronger link between the blockchain and one of the world’s largest communication platforms.

Drastic Fee Reduction and Technical Upgrades

As part of the new strategy, network fees have been slashed sixfold to near-zero levels. The plan is to achieve a model with minimal or completely eliminated fees for most transactions—a move that could significantly boost usability.

In parallel, Telegram announced a short-term roadmap for technical improvements, including new developer tools and performance optimizations. The goal is to accelerate the creation of applications and strengthen the network’s competitiveness.

Market Bets on Integration with 900 Million Users

The market’s reaction reflects expectations that Telegram could open blockchain access to its massive user base. Lower fees and direct integration reduce entry barriers, which could lead to a sharp increase in activity.

The effect is already visible across the broader ecosystem, where related tokens are reporting double-digit gains. This suggests that investors do not view the movement as an isolated event, but as the beginning of a wider expansion.

Key Risks to Sustainability

Despite the strong momentum, market participants remain cautious. The zone between $1.80 and $2.00 is viewed as key resistance, where previous breakout attempts have failed.

Furthermore, the sustainability of this growth will depend on actual network usage. Low fees alone do not guarantee long-term success unless they lead to an increase in active users and applications.

An additional question remains regarding the balance between centralization and decentralization. With Telegram’s growing role as a validator, investors will be watching to see if the network maintains its credibility as a decentralized system.

A New Phase for TON

Ultimately, Telegram’s move represents a “restart” for Toncoin. The combination of a massive user base, technical improvements, and lower costs creates the conditions for a new growth cycle.

Whether this momentum holds will depend on the ecosystem’s ability to convert speculative interest into real-world utility—a critical test for any blockchain platform aiming for mass adoption.