Inbizzy, Washington, D.C. Telegram has officially launched TON Wallet, its integrated self-custodial crypto wallet, to over 87 million users in the United States. This rollout marks a significant milestone in the app’s ongoing integration of blockchain-based financial services, accelerating mainstream crypto adoption within one of the world’s largest markets.
Built directly into the Telegram app, TON Wallet allows users to send, receive, and manage digital assets without needing to install any additional apps, browser extensions, or create separate logins. The wallet is developed by The Open Platform (TOP) and runs on the TON blockchain, which Telegram has previously utilized to introduce tokenized features such as usernames, stickers, and digital collectibles.
Before entering the U.S. market, TON Wallet had already reached more than 100 million global activations in 2024 alone. However, its U.S. launch was delayed amid regulatory uncertainty. Now, with a more favorable regulatory environment and Telegram’s growing U.S. user base, the company is confident in bringing the service to American users.
In an interview with CNBC, Andrew Rogozov, CEO of TOP, stated:
“We started considering the U.S. as a more interesting opportunity for us,” referring to regulatory shifts and Telegram’s expanding market presence.
He added that the platform already hosts a large number of crypto-savvy users and emphasized the wallet’s role in supporting Telegram’s growing Mini Apps ecosystem:
“There are a lot of crypto users on the platform, and [TON Wallet] is the fundamental part of this infrastructure.”
As a self-custodial wallet, TON Wallet gives users full control over their private keys. To simplify onboarding, TOP implemented a split-key backup system, where part of the key is linked to the user’s Telegram account and the other to their email.
“No need to download the wallet, no need to remember the seed phrase,” Rogozov explained.
“This is how we simplify the whole thing.”
TON Wallet supports peer-to-peer crypto transfers, token swaps, staking, and zero-fee crypto purchases via an integration with MoonPay, a licensed payment provider. It also enables seamless on- and off-ramps using debit cards, and connects directly to Telegram’s decentralized app environment through Mini Apps.
This move makes Telegram the first mainstream messaging app in the U.S. to offer a built-in self-custodial crypto wallet, positioning it as a competitive alternative to platforms like Cash App and Coinbase, particularly in delivering a more integrated and user-friendly experience.
Telegram had initially distanced itself from the TON blockchain project in 2020 following SEC-related legal challenges. However, the company has since maintained technological support for the TON community and related initiatives such as Fragment, a marketplace for blockchain-based collectibles.
With this launch, Telegram cements its role as a key player in the convergence of communication and decentralized finance, transforming the app from a messaging service into a global gateway for everyday crypto adoption.
