Telegram’s crypto wallet goes live to its 87 million U.S. users

Telegram users in the United States can now seamlessly send, receive, and manage cryptocurrency directly within the app—no downloads, browser extensions, or separate logins required. The new TON Wallet, developed by The Open Platform (TOP) and built on the TON blockchain, has officially begun its U.S. rollout.

Unlike traditional wallets, TON Wallet is self-custodial, allowing users full control over their private keys. It supports peer-to-peer crypto transfers, token swaps, staking, and zero-fee crypto purchases through an integration with MoonPay. It also offers on- and off-ramps via debit cards and connects with Telegram's expanding Mini Apps ecosystem.

The U.S. launch follows a wave of regulatory clarity and builds on the wallet’s global success—over 100 million users worldwide activated TON Wallet in 2024 alone. This marks the first self-custodial crypto wallet embedded within a major U.S. messaging platform.

TOP CEO Andrew Rogozov highlighted the opportunity in the U.S. market, citing increasing user growth and shifting regulatory sentiment. “Our mission is to remove as much friction as possible,” said Rogozov. “This is what crypto aims to solve—removing borders at scale.”

A split-key backup system ensures both simplicity and security: one part of the key links to the user's Telegram account and the other to their email—eliminating the need for a seed phrase or separate wallet download.

While Telegram previously distanced itself from the TON blockchain due to SEC pressure in 2020, it has since embraced TON-based features such as tokenized usernames, stickers, emojis, and support for Fragment, a collectibles marketplace.

TON Wallet’s entry into the U.S. positions it as a potential competitor to Cash App, Coinbase, and other crypto wallets—particularly as Telegram integrates deeper crypto functionalities into its social platform. By avoiding direct regulated financial services and partnering with compliant providers like MoonPay, TON Wallet aims to offer a legally sound and user-friendly crypto experience.

Source: cnbc

Voice of Osiz

Telegram’s integration of a self-custodial TON Wallet marks a pivotal moment in mainstream crypto adoption. We view this as a strong step toward simplifying digital asset transactions and enhancing user accessibility within familiar platforms. The seamless experience—no downloads, no seed phrases—addresses critical friction points in user onboarding. Our perspective is that this model could reshape how Web3 services are delivered, especially in regulated markets like the U.S.