Telegram begins rolling out its non-custodial Gram Wallet to first users
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has started rolling out the non-custodial Gram Wallet to a select group of users, with a broader launch targeting the app's billion-plus user base in the coming weeks. The wallet is built around $GRAM, the The Open Network token formerly known as Toncoin.
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A Gradual Launch, Right on Schedule
Telegram has begun rolling out its native non-custodial Gram Wallet to a select group of users, with @durov confirming the initial deployment on Monday. A broader release to the app's billion-plus user base is expected over the coming weeks. The launch lands on the final day of the summer deadline Durov set when he first announced the wallet in July, keeping the project on its stated timeline.
The Gram Wallet is built directly into every Telegram app as a core feature, not a separate application or bot. Users generate a local 24-word seed phrase and hold their own private keys, meaning Telegram never has access to them. That distinguishes it from the existing @wallet bot, which is operated by The Open Platform, not Telegram itself, and is custodial by default.
According to @durov, validators have approved the smart contract underpinning the wallet, which means future upgrades can be deployed without requiring users to migrate their funds or take any action.
Built on Gram, the Token Formerly Known as Toncoin
The Gram Wallet is built around $GRAM, the native token of the @ton_blockchain network. Toncoin was renamed to Gram, with the ticker changing from TON to GRAM, on June 15, 2026, following a community governance vote that passed with roughly 81.22% approval. The blockchain itself continues to be known as The Open Network (TON), with only the name of the native cryptocurrency changing.
Existing TON balances were automatically reflected as GRAM on a 1:1 basis, with no swap, bridge, or migration required. Wallet addresses, token balances, and transaction histories remained unchanged. The Gram name carries historical weight: it was the original token name from Telegram's 2018 whitepaper, reclaimed through the community vote.
The wallet is accessible to over a billion users and is designed to make instant, zero-fee crypto transactions a reality at scale. The rollout marks a significant step in Telegram's push to embed self-custody crypto tools directly into its core messaging product, rather than relying on third-party integrations.
Sources:
Telegram Gram Wallet 2026: 1 Billion Users Non-Custodial Launch (SpotedCrypto)
Toncoin (TON) renamed to GRAM (Blockchain.com Support)
Telegram Plans Largest Non-Custodial Wallet Rollout in History (Blockhead)
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Crypto RichRich has been researching cryptocurrency and blockchain technology for eight years and has served as a senior analyst at BSCN since its founding in 2020. He focuses on fundamental analysis of early-stage crypto projects and tokens and has published in-depth research reports on over 200 emerging protocols. Rich also writes about broader technology and scientific trends and maintains active involvement in the crypto community through X/Twitter Spaces, and leading industry events.