• Telegram's TON Wallet allows US users to send, receive, and store crypto assets within the app, with full self-custodial control.
  • The wallet includes DeFi tools, NFT support, off-ramp to bank cards, and 0% fees on USDT purchases via MoonPay integrations.

Telegram has begun rolling out its self-custodial TON Wallet to users in the United States, opening up direct access to cryptocurrency transactions, decentralised finance (DeFi), and digital marketplaces, all within the messaging app.

Built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, the wallet marks the first time a self-custodial crypto wallet has been integrated into a major social platform available to US users.

Supported by the TON Foundation and developed by The Open Platform, TON Wallet enables users to send, receive, and store assets such as Toncoin (TON), USDT, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), without needing external apps or browser extensions.

Transactions are designed to function like sending a regular message, and users retain full control of their private keys.

Expanding the TON Ecosystem

The wallet’s integration also acts as a gateway to TON’s broader ecosystem, which includes gaming, payments, DeFi tools, and Mini Apps, all accessible within Telegram.

US-based users now join over 100 million global users who activated the wallet in 2024, especially in Asia and Russia, where it is already embedded in Telegram’s main menu.

The wallet supports token staking through third-party integrations, built-in trading via Omniston and Ston.fi, and offers 0% fees on USDT purchases made through Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit cards using MoonPay.

For the first time, an off-ramp feature allows users to withdraw crypto directly to bank cards.

Egor Danilov, Chief Product Officer at The Open Platform and Telegram Wallet, emphasised security, saying,

“We’re soon introducing features such as whitelists, blacklists, transaction emulation and other advanced fraud detection tools to help users make safer choices before confirming transactions.”

With over 87 million users in the US, the rollout signals a major push toward mainstream adoption of blockchain tools via everyday platforms.

Edited by Annette George