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The open network (TON) - the future of crypto payments & beyond

This article explains the rise of TON and how it's transforming crypto through Telegram integration and mass adoption.

Marius Wickie Support avatar
Written by Marius Wickie Support
Updated over a month ago

1. The birth of TON: a vision from Telegram

TON (The Open Network) was originally developed by Telegram, the globally popular messaging platform with over 900 million users. The project was conceived by brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, the founders of Telegram, in 2018.

Why was TON created?

Telegram wanted to create a fast, scalable, and user-friendly blockchain that could seamlessly integrate with messaging and payment systems. Unlike traditional blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which struggle with high fees and slow transactions, TON aimed to bring crypto to the masses through:

  • Instant, low-cost transactions

  • Seamless integration with Telegram

  • A decentralized ecosystem supporting payments, dApps, and DeFi

The TON ICO & the SEC crackdown

To fund TON’s development, Telegram conducted one of the largest ICOs in history, raising $1.7 billion from private investors. However, this caught the attention of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which sued Telegram in 2019, arguing that the TON token sale violated securities laws.

In 2020, after a long legal battle, Telegram was forced to abandon the project and return funds to investors. Many thought this was the end of TON, but the story was just beginning…

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2. The Resurrection: How TON Survived & Thrived

After Telegram officially pulled out, a group of independent developers revived the project under the name "The Open Network" (TON). Unlike other abandoned crypto projects, TON had a strong technical foundation and a passionate community that refused to let it die.

  • In 2021, the TON Foundation was formed to continue development.

  • In 2022, Telegram reintegrated TON into its platform, marking one of the biggest comebacks in crypto history.

  • In 2023-2024, TON adoption exploded, with millions of users utilizing TON inside Telegram for payments, DeFi, and NFTs.

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3. What Makes TON Special? Why is It So Popular?

TON is not just another blockchain—it’s a next-generation Web3 ecosystem with key advantages over competitors.

⚡ Ultra-Fast & Scalable

TON can process millions of transactions per second, far outpacing Ethereum, Bitcoin, and even Solana. This is possible due to dynamic sharding, where the network splits into smaller chains when needed.

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💰 Near-Zero Fees

TON transactions cost a fraction of a cent, making it perfect for microtransactions, payments, and everyday use.

📱 Seamless Telegram Integration

  • Users can send TON within Telegram just like a message—no complicated wallets needed.

  • Telegram’s TON Space Wallet allows Web3 onboarding for millions with zero friction.

🔗 Decentralized Ecosystem Beyond Payments

TON is more than just a payment network. It includes:

  • TON DNS – A decentralized domain name service

  • TON Storage – A decentralized alternative to Google Drive

  • TON Smart Contracts – Enabling DeFi, NFTs, and gaming applications

🔮 The Web3 Vision: Bringing Blockchain to Billions

Unlike Ethereum, which is often used for DeFi by crypto-native users, TON aims to bring crypto to everyone by integrating with Telegram’s massive user base.

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4. TON & crypto influencers: who is talking about it?

TON’s revival and mass adoption have caught the attention of major crypto influencers, tech leaders, and even celebrities. Some notable mentions:

🌟 Crypto KOLs & thought leaders supporting TON

  • Justin Sun (founder of TRON) – called TON one of the most promising blockchains.

  • CZ (former Binance CEO) – acknowledged TON's unique positioning.

  • Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum founder) – previously commented on TON’s innovative sharding approach.

  • Michael Saylor (Bitcoin maximalist) – recognized Telegram’s influence in crypto adoption.

🌍 Why big names are interested in TON

  • Telegram’s Web3 integration could bring millions of new users to crypto.

  • Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, TON is built for everyday users, not just investors.

  • Its scalability and low fees make it ideal for mass adoption.

5. How TON could change the crypto world?

TON is not just another blockchain — it’s a bridge between Web2 (traditional internet) and Web3 (decentralized internet). Here’s how it could revolutionize the industry:

🚀 1. Crypto for everyone (not just tech-savvy users)

  • Sending TON is as easy as sending a Telegram message.

  • No complicated seed phrases or wallets — just tap and send.

💸 2. The future of payments

  • Ultra-low fees and instant transactions make it better than Visa or PayPal.

  • Perfect for cross-border payments without middlemen.

🌍 3. The "Super App" of crypto

  • With Telegram’s massive user base, TON could become the WeChat of crypto—combining chat, payments, and finance in one app.

🛠 4. Disrupting DeFi & NFTs

  • TON’s high-speed blockchain allows real-time DeFi trading without lag.

  • NFTs on TON can be used directly inside Telegram for games, identities, and social features.

6. Conclusion: should you pay attention to TON?

Absolutely. TON is one of the most promising blockchain projects today — with a real chance of onboarding hundreds of millions into crypto.

🔹 Fast, scalable, and cheap
🔹 Mass adoption through Telegram
🔹 Growing developer ecosystem
🔹 Backed by strong community support

🚀 Are you ready to join the TON revolution? Start your journey with TON on Wickie.io today!

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