Gram (GRAM) is the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), the layer-1 blockchain originally conceived by Telegram founders Pavel and Nikolai Durov. In 2026, the TON community voted to restore the token’s original Gram name, replacing Toncoin (TON) while leaving the blockchain itself, The Open Network (TON), unchanged.
Whether you’re new to cryptocurrency or exploring the Telegram ecosystem, here’s everything you need to know about Gram, how it works, and why it’s becoming an increasingly important digital asset.
What Is Gram (GRAM)?
Gram is the native utility token of The Open Network (TON), a decentralized proof-of-stake blockchain designed for fast, low-cost transactions and consumer-scale decentralized applications.
The token powers nearly every activity on the network, including:
- Paying transaction fees
- Staking to secure the blockchain
- Running validator nodes
- Executing smart contracts
- Using decentralized applications (dApps)
- Purchasing digital services inside the TON ecosystem
Although the cryptocurrency is now called Gram, the blockchain continues to operate under the name The Open Network (TON). Existing holders did not need to swap or migrate their assets, as the rebrand was implemented as a 1:1 name change approved through community governance.
The History of Gram
The story of Gram began long before the current TON ecosystem.
In 2018, Telegram introduced the Telegram Open Network (TON) alongside a cryptocurrency named Gram. Through two private fundraising rounds, Telegram raised approximately $1.7 billion, one of the largest blockchain fundraisings at the time.
However, in October 2019, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) obtained an emergency injunction, arguing that Telegram’s planned distribution of Gram tokens constituted an unregistered securities offering. Telegram eventually settled the case in 2020, agreeing to return more than $1.2 billion to investors and pay an $18.5 million civil penalty while discontinuing its involvement with the original TON project.
Rather than disappearing, the project’s open-source code was adopted by an independent developer community, which continued building the blockchain under the name The Open Network. The native token became known as Toncoin, distancing itself from the legal history surrounding the original Gram token.
In 2026, following a community governance vote, Toncoin officially returned to its original name, Gram (GRAM), as part of a broader effort to reconnect the ecosystem with its original vision.
How Does Gram Work?
Gram operates on TON’s proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.
Validators stake Gram to verify transactions and help maintain network security. In return, they receive protocol rewards.
The blockchain is engineered for high throughput using dynamic sharding, allowing the network to process a large number of transactions simultaneously while maintaining low fees and quick settlement times. TON documentation describes the network as being designed for scalable payments, decentralized applications, and consumer adoption.
What Can You Use Gram For?
Gram serves as the primary economic asset throughout the TON ecosystem.
Common uses include:
- Paying blockchain transaction fees
- Staking and validator participation
- Trading on supported cryptocurrency exchanges
- Purchasing Telegram-based digital services
- Interacting with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols
- NFT marketplaces
- Blockchain gaming
- Cross-border payments
- Smart contract execution
As Telegram continues expanding Web3 functionality, Gram also supports services integrated into the messaging platform, including wallets, mini apps, and blockchain-based experiences.
Why Is Gram Closely Connected to Telegram?
Although TON is an independent blockchain governed by the community and the TON Foundation, it maintains strong links with Telegram.
Telegram has integrated TON-powered features such as wallets, Mini Apps, and Web3 services, giving developers access to one of the world’s largest messaging platforms. TON’s official website describes the blockchain as providing native access to Telegram’s global user base, making it one of the few public blockchains designed around an existing consumer platform.
This connection has helped attract developers building games, payment applications, digital collectibles, and decentralized services for Telegram users.
How to Buy and Store Gram
Users generally follow these steps:
- Create a compatible TON wallet.
- Complete identity verification on a supported cryptocurrency exchange if required.
- Purchase GRAM using fiat currency or another cryptocurrency.
- Withdraw tokens to a self-custodial wallet for long-term storage if preferred.
TON provides official wallet options and lists compatible wallets on its website.
Advantages of Gram
Several characteristics distinguish Gram from many other cryptocurrencies:
- Fast transaction confirmation
- Low network fees
- Proof-of-stake energy efficiency
- Native integration with the TON ecosystem
- Growing developer community
- Expanding Telegram-based applications
- Support for staking and decentralized finance
These features have positioned TON as one of the larger consumer-focused blockchain ecosystems.
Risks to Consider
Like every cryptocurrency, Gram carries risks.
Its market price can fluctuate significantly, and adoption depends on continued developer activity, user growth, and regulatory developments affecting digital assets worldwide.
Although Telegram supports TON-related services, the blockchain remains independently governed, meaning future ecosystem development depends on community decisions rather than Telegram alone. Investors should also remember that blockchain projects remain subject to technological, security, and regulatory risks.
Why Gram Matters
Gram represents the latest chapter in one of cryptocurrency’s most unusual stories. What began as Telegram’s ambitious blockchain project evolved into an independent community-driven network after regulatory intervention, before ultimately returning to its original Gram identity through decentralized governance.
Today, Gram serves as the native currency of The Open Network, powering payments, staking, decentralized applications, and an expanding ecosystem connected to Telegram. For beginners, understanding Gram also means understanding the broader TON ecosystem, where blockchain technology aims to make digital payments and Web3 applications accessible to mainstream users.
