Toncoin Surges as Telegram Takes Over as Largest TON Validator

Toncoin (TON) climbed more than 27% in 24 hours after Telegram founder Pavel Durov confirmed the messaging platform will replace the TON Foundation as the largest validator on The Open Network. The token broke above $2.18 on May 6, posting weekly gains of 64% and monthly gains of 72%, according to CoinMarketCap.

What Triggered The Toncoin Price Surge?

The rally followed a direct announcement from Durov on X, where he outlined plans for Telegram to take over from the TON Foundation as the primary force behind the network. Durov framed the move as step three of a seven-step "Make TON Great Again" (MTONGA) roadmap. A redesigned ton.org, new developer tools, and performance upgrades are expected within two to three weeks.

A validator is a node that verifies transactions, confirms network security, and maintains blockchain accuracy. Telegram becoming the largest validator signals that the company is putting its direct weight behind TON's security and day-to-day direction. For many observers, this closes the long-standing gap between Telegram's brand power and the TON Foundation's execution.

The broader Telegram-linked ecosystem reacted sharply. Notcoin gained nearly 25%, Dogs rose more than 100%, and several smaller TON-based tokens posted even larger single-day moves.

How Low Have TON Transaction Fees Actually Gone?

Durov also confirmed in April that TON fees have fallen sixfold to near zero. Transaction costs have dropped to 0.00039 TON, roughly $0.0005, with most transactions eventually moving toward a fee-less model.

Low fees are most relevant for the kinds of products Telegram can realistically distribute to its user base:

• On-chain tips and small retail transfers
• In-app games and bot payments
• Mini-app transactions and collectibles

A fee that seems trivial to a large DeFi trader can still break a consumer app when users are moving cents at a time. Fixed, near-zero costs make TON workable for high-frequency, low-value activity at scale. Various tracking sites put Telegram's monthly active users as high as one billion, though the company has not publicly confirmed that figure.

From Foundation To Corporate Stewardship: A Brief History

The Switzerland-based TON Foundation has coordinated the network since 2021, after Telegram abandoned the original Telegram Open Network in 2020 following an SEC enforcement action that required it to return $1.2 billion to investors and pay an $18.5 million fine.

The relationship between Telegram and TON deepened over time. In early 2024, Telegram launched an ad-sharing program paying channel owners 50% of ad revenue in TON. The network went on to become 2024's fastest-growing major Layer 1, with total value locked (TVL) peaking near $800 million that summer.

That momentum stalled in August 2024 when French authorities arrested Durov at Le Bourget airport on charges including complicity in drug trafficking and failure to moderate illegal content. TON's TVL fell roughly 30% in the following days and currently sits at just over $77 million, according to DefiLlama, well below last year's peak.

Conclusion

Toncoin's 27% jump reflects real structural news, not speculation. Telegram stepping in as the largest validator, combined with near-zero transaction fees and a concrete upgrade roadmap, gives TON a clearer operational foundation than it has had in over a year. On-chain TVL remains far below its 2024 peak, so the network still has measurable ground to recover. What has changed is who is now accountable for making that happen.

Resources

1. Pavel Durov on X: Posts (April, 2026 - May, 2026)

2. Report by CoinDesk: Toncoin surges 36% as Telegram replaces TON Foundation and slashes fees

3. Report by Decrypt: TON Surges 36% as Telegram ‘Replaces’ TON Foundation