A Simple Guide to The Open Network – TON Blockchain

The Open Network (TON blockchain) is a fast and user-friendly blockchain that aims to bring cryptocurrency and decentralized apps (dApps) to everyone. It was first created by the team behind Telegram, a popular messaging app, to make blockchain easy to use for millions of people. TON is designed to handle lots of transactions quickly and cheaply, and it works closely with Telegram’s 900 million monthly users. Let’s delve into what TON is, what Telegram is, how they work together, and why TON matters for the future of blockchain.

Telegram, launched in 2013 by brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov, is known for its focus on privacy, speed, and security. Unlike some apps, Telegram encrypts messages to keep them private, and it offers features like group chats, channels for broadcasting, and bots for automation. With over 900 million users worldwide, it’s one of the biggest messaging platforms, competing with apps like WhatsApp and Signal. Telegram’s huge user base makes it a perfect platform to introduce blockchain to everyday people through TON.

TON started in 2018 as the Telegram Open Network, created by the Telegram team to add cryptocurrency and dApps to the app. They raised $1.7 billion from investors to build it and planned to launch a token called Gram. But in 2019, the U.S. government (SEC) said Gram was an unregistered security, so Telegram had to stop the project in 2020. They returned $1.2 billion to investors and paid an $18.5 million fine.

Since the code was open-source (free for anyone to use), a community of developers took over. They renamed it The Open Network and formed the TON Foundation, a non-profit in Switzerland, to keep building it. Today, TON is a thriving blockchain that works closely with Telegram to make crypto simple for everyone.

How TON Works?

TON is like a super-fast highway for blockchain transactions. It’s built to handle millions of transactions per second, making it much faster than older blockchains like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• Main Highway (Masterchain): This is the central system that keeps everything organized, like a map of all the roads in TON.

• Side Roads (Workchains): These are separate blockchains that handle different tasks, like payments or apps. TON can have many of these, but right now, it mainly uses one called the Basechain.

• Small Lanes (Shardchains): Each Workchain can split into smaller lanes to handle more traffic. If things get busy, TON automatically adds more lanes, keeping everything fast and smooth.

TON uses Proof-of-Stake (PoS). People can “stake” their Toncoin (TON’s cryptocurrency) to help run the network and earn rewards. Those who stake choose “validators” to process transactions, making the system secure and fair. TON also has a tool called the TON Virtual Machine (TVM) that runs smart contracts. These contracts are written in simple languages, making it easy for developers to build on TON.

Toncoin

As mentioned, Toncoin (TON) is the cryptocurrency used on TON. You need Toncoin to pay for transactions, use apps, or stake in the network. As of May 2025, one Toncoin is worth about $3, and the total market value of all Toncoin is around $7 billion. You can buy Toncoin on exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, or Kraken.

Transaction fees on TON are very low, often less than a penny, making it cheaper than many other blockchains. For example, sending Toncoin or USDT (a stablecoin worth $1) through Telegram’s wallet usually costs a tiny fraction of a Toncoin. These low fees make TON great for small payments or everyday use.

If you use TON through Telegram, the app itself is free, but some features (like Telegram Premium) or apps on TON might have their own costs. For details on any paid services related to TON or Telegram, visit Telegram’s official website.

TON’s Tools and Apps: What You Can Do

TON has a growing set of tools and apps that make it easy to use blockchain. Here are the main ones:

• TON Wallet and TON Space: These are wallets built into Telegram. You can send and receive Toncoin or other coins like USDT right in your chats using a bot like @wallet. It’s as easy as texting!

• TON DNS: This lets you create simple names (like yourname.ton) for your wallet or app, so you don’t have to use long, confusing blockchain addresses.

• TON Storage: A way to store files securely across many computers, like a decentralized version of Google Drive. You pay storage providers in Toncoin.

• TON Proxy: A tool for private, secure browsing, like a decentralized VPN.

• TON Payments: A system for fast, cheap payments, perfect for small transactions like tipping or buying digital items.

TON’s apps are booming, especially games like Catizen, Hamster Kombat, and Notcoin, which are played by millions on Telegram. These games let you earn tokens or rewards, and they’re easy to start because they’re built into the app. TON also supports trading digital collectibles (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) apps like STON.fi, where you can swap tokens or earn interest.

Why TON Matters: Real-World Utility

TON’s speed, low costs, and Telegram connection make it perfect for many uses:

• Payments: You can send money to friends or pay businesses instantly in Telegram, using Toncoin or USDT, with almost no fees.

• Gaming: Games let players earn tokens while having fun, attracting millions of users.

• DeFi: Apps like STON.fi and DeDust let you trade or invest crypto, with over $275 million locked in TON’s DeFi system as of May 2025.

• NFTs: You can buy, sell, or create digital art or collectibles on TON’s marketplaces.

• Everyday Apps: TON powers mini-apps in Telegram for things like shopping, social media, or community projects.

What’s New and What’s Next

In 2024, TON’s total value locked (TVL) grew from $15 million to $275 million, showing huge interest. In March 2025, the TON Foundation raised $400 million from big investors like Sequoia Capital to keep growing. TON also partnered with Kraken, a U.S. exchange, to make Toncoin easier to buy in the U.S.

TON’s goal is to get 270 million Telegram users (30% of its base) using blockchain by 2028. With new updates like better validation and cross-chain bridges (e.g., with Ethereum), TON is becoming more powerful and connected. Its low fees and easy apps could make it a top choice for everyday crypto use.

TON has a lot of potential, but there are hurdles. Its past legal issues with the SEC mean it must be careful about regulations. Also, managing a complex blockchain with many “lanes” requires strong tools for developers. Finally, since TON relies on Telegram, any problems with Telegram’s app or rules could affect TON.

The Open Network (TON) is a fast, affordable, and easy-to-use blockchain that works hand-in-hand with Telegram, a free and private messaging app with 900 million users. TON’s low-cost Toncoin, simple wallets, and fun apps like games and DeFi make it perfect for anyone new to crypto. With millions of transactions daily and growing support, TON is bringing blockchain to the mainstream.