TL;DR
- Telegram strengthens its involvement in The Open Network (TON) as transaction fees drop 6x, approaching near zero and improving usability.
- Pavel Durov becomes the largest validator, signaling tighter alignment between Telegram and TON’s infrastructure.
- A recent 10x performance upgrade, along with upcoming developer tools and ecosystem updates, positions TON as a scalable network aimed at integrating payments, mini-apps, and decentralized services for a global user base.
Telegram is increasing its influence over The Open Network, following a sharp reduction in transaction fees and a major technical upgrade. The changes come as Pavel Durov takes a more active role in the blockchain’s validation process, reinforcing the link between the messaging platform and TON’s long-term development.
Fees in TON have dropped 6× — to nearly zero.
Next step — Telegram replaces the TON Foundation as the driving force behind TON and becomes its largest validator.
The focus shifts to tech superiority.
New https://t.co/Me0w683UiK, new dev tools, new performance upgrades.…
— Pavel Durov (@durov) May 4, 2026
Telegram Expands Role In TON Ecosystem
Transaction costs on TON have fallen by a factor of 6, reaching levels close to zero. This adjustment changes the economics of using the network, especially for microtransactions and high-frequency activity. Lower fees reduce friction for users and create new opportunities for developers building consumer-facing applications.
At the same time, Durov confirmed that Telegram is now the largest validator on the network. This transition shifts influence away from the TON Foundation and toward a more integrated model where the messaging platform directly supports blockchain operations.
Telegram’s scale plays a central role. With nearly 1 billion users, the company has a distribution advantage few blockchain ecosystems can match. By aligning infrastructure with its existing user base, TON gains a pathway to real-world adoption beyond speculative trading.
Network Upgrade And Developer Focus Drive Growth
Earlier this year, TON implemented a performance upgrade that increased network speed by up to 10x. The improvement allows faster confirmation times and higher throughput, both critical for applications that require responsiveness at scale.
Additional updates are expected in the coming weeks, including new developer tools and enhancements to the TON ecosystem interface. These changes aim to simplify onboarding for builders and reduce the time required to launch applications.
The technical direction suggests a focus on usability. Faster transactions combined with minimal fees enable use cases such as in-app payments, decentralized finance features, and integrated services within Telegram’s ecosystem. The network is positioning itself as infrastructure for everyday digital interactions rather than a purely financial asset.
The broader crypto sector has seen similar attempts to connect blockchain systems with large user platforms, but few have the advantage of an existing global communication network. Telegram’s integration strategy gives TON a distinct position in that landscape.
In conclusion, Telegram’s expanded role in TON reflects a shift toward tighter coordination between platform and protocol. With improved performance, near-zero fees, and direct validator participation, the network moves closer to supporting large-scale applications tied to real user demand.
