Telegram to Directly Operate Network in Place of TON Foundation... 'Massive Integration' Begins Based on 950 Million Users

On May 4, 2026, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov made a major announcement fundamentally changing the operational structure of the TON blockchain. Telegram will replace the existing TON Foundation as the network's primary operating entity and participate as the largest validator. Immediately after the announcement, the price of Toncoin (TON) rose by 6.31% to $1.432 and subsequently soared by up to 33.8%, drawing an explosive response from the market.

Telegram will become the core driver of the network in place of the TON Foundation and will directly lead the ecosystem as its largest validator.

This decision is seen as the prelude to a 'massive integration' that officially combines Telegram's 950 million monthly active users with a single blockchain infrastructure. Telegram promised to reduce network fees to about one-sixth of their previous level, bringing them close to zero. This structural change is expected to accelerate the expansion of mini-apps and payment systems within Telegram, creating strong demand for the token.

Strategic Shift: From TON Foundation to Telegram-Led System

Pavel Durov officially confirmed this strategic change on Monday, May 4, 2026, via Wu Blockchain and other channels. This signifies a transition of the TON ecosystem from a foundation-centered model to an operating system directly led by the massive platform, Telegram. Telegram has now moved beyond being a mere partner to holding full authority over network operations, presenting a new case of a corporation vertically integrating blockchain infrastructure.

• Significantly lowered user entry barriers by reducing network transaction fees by six times.
• On April 30, 2026, Telegram directly entered the consensus layer by staking 2.2 million TON, valued at approximately $2.88 million.
• Enhanced network scalability by directly integrating Telegram's vast infrastructure into TON's consensus layer.

The market is offering a very optimistic outlook on Telegram's direct involvement. The price of $1.432 recorded on the day of the announcement reflects investor confidence, and major analytical outlets reported that Telegram's user base will make TON the most powerful platform for mass adoption. In particular, the expansion of mini-apps and dApps within the Telegram interface is expected to drive continuous capital inflow into the TON ecosystem.

However, as Telegram's dominance grows, the challenge of maintaining network decentralization remains. Recently, the TON mainnet has been considering raising the minimum staking threshold for validator participation to 1 million TON following new capital inflows, which could pose a new challenge for independent validators. Moving forward, Telegram is expected to manage token supply through staking rewards at an APY level of 3-5%, officially ushering in an era of blockchain mass adoption based on its 950 million users.