What did Pavel Durov announce about the Telegram Gram wallet?

On July 21, 2026, Pavel Durov announced that Telegram will integrate a native, non-custodial Gram wallet into every Telegram app this summer, allowing more than 1 billion users to send and receive cryptocurrency instantly with zero transaction fees.

What is a non-custodial wallet and why does it matter?

A non-custodial wallet gives users full control over their private keys and digital assets. Unlike custodial wallets, Telegram or any third party does not hold or manage the user's funds.

When is the Telegram Gram wallet launching?

Telegram has stated only that the Gram wallet rollout will begin 'this summer.' No specific launch date, supported asset list, or technical details have been officially announced.

What is Gram and how is it related to Toncoin?

Gram is the new name for Toncoin, the native token of The Open Network (TON). The token reverted to its original 2018 name after a community governance proposal received approximately 81% approval on June 15, 2026.

Has Telegram launched a crypto wallet before?

Yes. Telegram previously launched a non-custodial crypto wallet for approximately 87 million U.S. users in July 2025. The latest announcement expands that functionality to Telegram's global user base.

How did the GRAM token react to the announcement?

Following Pavel Durov's announcement, the GRAM token rose by as much as 8%, trading in the approximately $1.50 to $1.60 range during the hours after the news.

Telegram Gram Wallet Aims to Redefine Crypto Access Worldwide

Yash Shelke

July 22, 2026

Telegram Gram Wallet: What Pavel Durov Announced for Users

Telegram just teased what could be the single largest crypto wallet distribution event ever attempted.

The Telegram Gram wallet is coming to every version of the messaging app this summer, according to founder Pavel Durov, who posted on July 21 that the company is building a native, non-custodial solution directly into Telegram's apps. Durov called it the largest rollout of a non-custodial crypto wallet in human history, promising users instant, zero-fee crypto transactions built right into the platform they already use daily.

Telegram Gram wallet native crypto Source: X(formerly Twitter)

Telegram Gram Wallet: What Durov Actually Announced

In his post, Durov said Telegram is "bringing a native non-custodial Gram wallet to every Telegram app," positioning it as a direct upgrade over relying on third-party custodial services to send and receive crypto. A non-custodial solution means private keys — and full control over funds — stay with the user rather than with Telegram or any exchange. If Telegram's servers were ever breached or taken offline, user funds tied to a non-custodial crypto interface wouldn't be at risk the way custodial balances would be.

The scale here is what separates this from a typical crypto app launch. The messaging platform surpassed 1 billion monthly active users in 2025, giving the Gram wallet a built-in distribution advantage most standalone apps could never match — even modest adoption within that base would represent one of the largest single expansions of self-custody crypto access ever recorded.

gram price on coinmarketcap Source: CoinMarketCap Data

Markets reacted quickly. The native token powering the crypto interface, jumped as much as 8% in the hours following the announcement, trading in the $1.50–$1.60 range before paring some gains, according to coinmarketcap data.

Gram Token Rebrand: How Toncoin Became Gram Again

This announcement doesn't stand alone — it follows a deliberate rebrand. The Open Network's native token officially reverted from Toncoin back to its original name, Gram, on June 15, 2026, after an on-chain community governance vote passed with roughly 81% approval. The name traces back to Telegram's original 2018 blockchain white paper, and Durov has framed the shift as part of what he's called his "Make TON Great Again" roadmap — a broader plan under which the app has moved to replace the TON Foundation as the network's primary driver, become its largest validator, and cut network transaction fees roughly sixfold toward near-zero, laying the technical groundwork for the fee-free transfers now being promised.

Notably, this isn't Telegram's first attempt at a non-custodial wallet — a version was already quietly rolled out to roughly 87 million U.S. users back in July 2025. What's new is the plan to extend that same functionality to Telegram's full global user base.

Telegram Gram Wallet Rollout: What's Still Unconfirmed

Despite the scale of the announcement, Durov's platform hasn't published a firm launch date, a list of supported assets, or any technical specifications beyond Durov's post. It also remains unclear how the new non-custodial solution will coexist with Telegram's existing custodial product, or how the rollout will be handled in jurisdictions with restrictions on in-app crypto services.

There's also historical context worth noting. Telegram's original token sale was blocked by the SEC in 2020, forcing the company to return $1.2 billion to investors and abandon its blockchain ambitions at the time. Telegram's current approach — operating as a validator rather than an issuer, backed by on-chain community governance — puts some distance between this rollout and that earlier regulatory clash, though the network's dependence on Durov personally remains a factor worth watching given his unresolved legal situation in France following his 2024 arrest.

Conclusion

The Telegram Gram wallet could put self-custody crypto in front of more people than any single product launch in the industry's history — if it ships as described. The rebrand is done, the roadmap is public, and the market has already reacted. What's missing is the one detail that matters most: an actual date.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All details are based on Pavel Durov's public statements and market data as of July 22, 2026, and are subject to change, as Telegram has not confirmed a firm launch date or technical specifications. Cryptocurrency prices are volatile. Always conduct independent research before making any investment decision.

About the Author Yash Shelke

English News Writer at coingabbar.com

Yash Shelke is a crypto content writer with hands-on experience in blockchain, cryptocurrency markets, and Web3 ecosystems. He specializes in delivering timely crypto news, in-depth token analysis, and insights driven by on-chain data and market trends.

With a technical background in blockchain and finance , Yash brings a data-oriented and analytical perspective to his writing. His work focuses on decoding complex market movements, covering high-volatility events, and simplifying DeFi, altcoins, and macro crypto cycles for a wide audience.

He aims to bridge the gap between technical blockchain concepts and practical market understanding—helping both retail investors and experienced traders make informed decisions through clear, research-backed, and engaging content.