Pavel Durov announced that Telegram will release a built-in non-custodial crypto wallet integrated into all versions of its app before the end of summer 2026. The feature directly targets more than 1 billion monthly active users on the messaging platform. The Gram token - Toncoin’s new name following an 81% community vote last June - immediately reacted to the announcement with a 7% price increase.
A Major Shift from the Old Bot
Currently, Telegram users are familiar with the @wallet bot feature operated by a separate entity called The Open Platform. This legacy system is custodial, meaning asset keys are held entirely by the operator, serving 150 million registered users. The new wallet developed by Durov’s team takes a different route: embedded directly in the app and non-custodial from day one, giving users full control over their private keys.
In his statement, Durov referred to the initiative as the largest non-custodial wallet rollout in human history. In comparison, MetaMask, which currently dominates the self-custody market, serves only tens of millions of users. If 1 billion Telegram users gain direct access, the global crypto wallet landscape could change overnight.
Making Up for Past History
The Gram token name carries a long history. In 2018, Telegram raised $1.7 billion for the initial version of the Gram token before facing an SEC lawsuit. In the aftermath of the lawsuit, the company returned $1.2 billion to investors along with an $18.5 million penalty and abandoned the project in 2020. The community later revived the network as Toncoin, until Durov took over the project again in 2026 and restored its original name.
Although the market responded positively, the Gram token still faces a long road to reach its previous peaks. The token price currently needs an 88% rally just to reach the local peak of $2.89 recorded in May 2026, and even more momentum to pursue the record high of $8.25 from June 2024.
Unanswered Questions
As the late-summer release date draws closer, several operational details have yet to be disclosed. It remains unclear whether this built-in wallet will eventually replace the @wallet bot or allow both to run side by side. The list of supported assets beyond Gram also remains a mystery, along with Telegram’s strategy to simplify private key management for millions of non-crypto users.
Forcing regular users to store strings of secret passphrases has long been the biggest bottleneck for mainstream crypto adoption. For everyday Telegram users, user-friendliness will ultimately be the deciding factor - whether this new wallet actually gets used, or simply ends up as another untouched menu icon.
Reported by Decrypt.
Read also: What Is DeFi (Decentralized Finance)?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
