Overview
- Telegram, which announced the change Monday, said it will replace the TON Foundation and act as the network’s largest validator, sending Toncoin up roughly 30% to 37% with volumes up around 600%.
- Recent upgrades cut average fees about sixfold to roughly $0.0005 per transaction and reduced block times to about 400 milliseconds after the Catchain 2.0 rollout, enabling near‑instant confirmations.
- A refreshed ton.org site, new developer tools, and further performance updates are slated for release within two to three weeks, with the ton.org domain already showing a transition notice tied to the MTONGA plan.
- Telegram’s ad platform requires Toncoin for purchases and pays channel owners a 50% share in TON, and the company plans to expand this model through Telegram Stars by Q3 2026, which could increase steady token demand.
- Analysts flag open questions on Telegram’s validator stake and June’s transition audit, warn about centralization and monthly unlocks of about 36.59 million TON, and note daily chain fees near $8,000 that signal weak value capture despite rising use.