TON Rebrands to Gram as Telegram Revives Original Token Name

The move, part of a broader roadmap to strengthen ties between Telegram and the network, triggered an immediate 13-20% price increase for TON amid broader market weakness.

The Announcement and Market Reaction

The Open Network revealed plans to rebrand its native cryptocurrency from Toncoin (TON) to Gram (GRAM). Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram and a key figure in the project's early development, shared the news directly, stating that the change represents a return to the project's foundations.

The rebranding announcement led to a sharp price increase for TON. Reports indicate gains between 13% and 20%, with the token reaching highs near $2.27 despite downward pressure on Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. This positive movement highlighted sustained market interest in Telegram-linked blockchain projects.

Historical Context of the Gram Name

The name Gram dates back to Telegram's initial 2018 whitepaper for the Telegram Open Network. The company had planned a major initial coin offering that raised significant funds, but regulatory challenges from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission halted the project in 2020. Telegram eventually settled with the SEC, returning over $1.2 billion to investors and paying penalties.

Following the regulatory setback, the community continued development under the name The Open Network, with the token becoming known as Toncoin. The current rebrand revives the original token name while keeping TON as the blockchain identifier. This distinction aims to clearly separate the network infrastructure from its primary asset.

Part of Telegram’s “Make TON Great Again” Roadmap

The rebranding forms one element of Pavel Durov's seven-step roadmap to enhance the TON ecosystem. Other initiatives include network upgrades that have already reduced fees significantly and positioning Telegram as the network's primary validator and main driving force.

Telegram's increased operational role is expected to boost network security, on-chain activity, and integration with its platform, which serves over 950 million users worldwide. Plans include expanded use in mini-apps, payments, and developer tools. A community vote on the rebrand is currently active.

Technical Transition and Timeline

The transition process is scheduled to take approximately three weeks. During this period, the blockchain will continue operating as TON, while the token shifts to Gram. Users and developers will need to update wallets, exchanges, and applications accordingly to support the new token designation.

Industry observers view the rebrand as a strategic move to leverage Telegram's massive user base for greater adoption. By reconnecting the token directly to Telegram's history and future plans, the project aims to improve utility for in-app services and broader ecosystem growth.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

Following the announcement, TON demonstrated bullish technical momentum. Market participants see potential for further gains if the positive sentiment continues.

This development underscores Telegram's renewed commitment to the blockchain project it helped originate. As the transition unfolds, attention will focus on how effectively the ecosystem executes the rebrand and implements the broader roadmap steps.