Telegram has recorded more than 700,000 self-custodial wallet activations in a 48-hour period, according to founder Pavel Durov. In a statement posted on his official channels on November 9, 2026, Durov described the surge as evidence that the crypto revolution remains strong, with wallet creation happening the moment users receive Gram token transfers inside the messaging platform.
The initiative centers on Gram tokens, previously known as Toncoin within The Open Network ecosystem. The onboarding architecture automatically configures and activates a wallet when a user receives their first Gram transfer, removing common setup frictions. Daily new address creation peaked above 330,000 in a single day during the rollout, underscoring the viral distribution mechanism built into the TON infrastructure.
The wave follows operational changes to the TON network aimed at improving scalability and lowering transaction fees in chat environments. Unlike centralized custody mini-programs operated by auxiliary bots, the new native wallet infrastructure gives users full control of private keys.
Despite the rapid wallet growth, DeFi tracking data shows that total value locked on the network remains moderate compared with other layer-1 networks. Regulatory restrictions also continue to limit advanced wallet functions in jurisdictions such as the United States, while Gram price action remains well below historical highs.
