Telegram has officially rolled out its built-in cryptocurrency wallet to users in the United States. The new feature, known as the TON Wallet, is now live for Telegram’s 87 million U.S. users. With it, people can send, receive, and manage digital assets directly within the app, no additional downloads, browser extensions, or separate logins are required.
This marks a major milestone for both Telegram and the broader crypto ecosystem, as it brings a self-custodial wallet, where users control their own private keys into the hands of mainstream U.S. consumers through a widely used messaging platform.
What is TON Wallet?
The TON Wallet is built on the TON blockchain and developed by The Open Platform (TOP). It is designed as a self-custodial wallet, meaning that users retain full control over their funds, rather than trusting a third party to hold assets on their behalf. What makes this integration notable is its convenience: users can now handle cryptocurrencies as easily as sending a message in a chat.
TON Wallet is not a completely new feature for Telegram. In 2024, more than 100 million users globally had already activated their wallets. However, its release in the United States had been delayed due to regulatory uncertainty, a challenge Telegram is now beginning to overcome.
Andrew Rogozov, CEO of TOP, explained that shifting regulatory conditions in the U.S. made the country a more attractive market. “We started considering the U.S. as a more interesting opportunity for us,” he said in an interview with CNBC.
Features and Functions
TON Wallet supports a wide range of crypto activities:
- Peer-to-peer transfers: Users can instantly send crypto to contacts on Telegram.
- Token swaps: Convert between various supported cryptocurrencies inside the app.
- Staking: Users can stake tokens to earn passive income through yield.
- Zero-fee crypto purchases: Through a partnership with MoonPay, users can buy crypto with no fees.
- On- and off-ramps: The wallet offers fiat integration via debit cards, making it easier to move money in and out of the crypto space.
- Mini App ecosystem: The wallet connects with Telegram’s growing network of decentralised apps (dApps), allowing users to interact with services such as marketplaces, games, and finance apps without leaving Telegram.
One of the standout features is its split-key backup system, which balances simplicity with security. One part of the backup is linked to the user’s Telegram account, while the other is tied to their email. This means users don’t have to remember a traditional seed phrase, removing one of crypto’s biggest user experience hurdles.
Competing With Coinbase and Cash App
With the rollout of TON Wallet in the U.S., Telegram now enters a competitive field that includes services like Cash App, Coinbase, and other digital wallet providers. However, Telegram’s major advantage lies in its user base and seamless integration.
Unlike many competitors that require separate applications or logins, TON Wallet is embedded directly into Telegram, which is already one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world. This could drive rapid adoption, especially among casual users who have been hesitant to explore crypto due to technical barriers.
If the platform’s Mini App ecosystem continues to grow, Telegram may evolve into a full-fledged Web3 hub, giving users access to decentralised finance, collectibles, and blockchain-powered services, all within one interface.
A Quiet Return to Crypto
Telegram’s relationship with the TON blockchain has a complex history. The company originally attempted to launch its own token, but abandoned the project in 2020 following pressure from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since then, Telegram has publicly distanced itself from the token’s development while still quietly supporting TON-based features, including tokenised usernames, stickers, and the Fragment marketplace for digital collectibles.
The launch of TON Wallet doesn’t mark a direct revival of Telegram’s original crypto ambitions, but it shows the company’s continued interest in blockchain technology. By keeping financial services at arm’s length and relying on licensed partners like MoonPay, Telegram appears to be navigating around previous regulatory pitfalls while still enabling core crypto functionality.
The Bigger Picture
The arrival of TON Wallet in the U.S. signals a major push towards mainstream crypto adoption. By embedding a self-custodial wallet into a familiar app, Telegram lowers the barrier to entry for millions of users.
The platform’s vision is clear: remove friction, remove borders, and give users more control. If successful, Telegram could redefine how people interact with digital money turning crypto from a niche market into something as simple and accessible as messaging a friend.
