The Open Network (TON) has officially announced the rebranding of its native token from Toncoin (TON) to Gram (GRAM), returning to the project’s original name as outlined in the 2018 Telegram whitepaper.

While the blockchain network will continue to operate under the TON name, the token itself is undergoing the name change. The decision marks a symbolic homecoming for the ecosystem, which has grown into one of the fastest-expanding Layer-1 blockchains in recent years.

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram and a key figure behind TON, commented on the move:

“This is a return to our roots and the start of a new chapter. Gram represents the original vision we had for a seamless, user-friendly cryptocurrency integrated with messaging.”

Smooth Transition with No Token Swap

The rebranding process is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete across major wallets, centralized and decentralized exchanges, and decentralized applications (dApps).

Importantly, the change is purely nominative:

• No token swap or migration is required.
• User balances will remain unchanged.
• Staking positions, liquidity pools, and smart contracts will continue functioning without interruption.

This technical continuity is designed to minimize friction for the millions of users already active in the TON ecosystem.

Market Reaction

The announcement triggered an immediate bullish response from the market. Toncoin’s price surged by up to 15% within hours of the news, reflecting strong community enthusiasm and renewed optimism. Many holders and analysts view the rebrand as a strategic move to reconnect with TON’s Telegram origins and simplify its identity for mainstream adoption.

Strategic Implications

The shift to Gram is widely interpreted as a deliberate step to deepen integration between TON and Telegram’s massive user base of over 900 million monthly active users. By reviving the original “Gram” name, the project aims to create stronger brand synergy between the messaging giant and its blockchain infrastructure.

This move positions TON more competitively in the rapidly growing messaging + Web3 sector, where seamless in-app payments, mini-apps, and decentralized services are becoming increasingly important. Analysts suggest the rebrand could accelerate user onboarding and attract new developers and projects looking for strong distribution channels.

Background

Originally conceived as “Gram” in Telegram’s 2018 whitepaper, the token was later renamed Toncoin following regulatory challenges that forced Telegram to distance itself from the project. The TON blockchain was eventually handed over to the community and has since evolved into a high-performance network known for low fees, fast transactions, and successful integration with Telegram’s mini-apps ecosystem.

The return to Gram closes a significant chapter in the project’s history while opening what many believe could be its most ambitious phase yet.

Stay tuned as the TON ecosystem completes its transition over the coming weeks. The rebranding is expected to be fully reflected across all major platforms by late June 2026.