Telegram Launches Crypto Wallet in U.S.
Telegram today activated TON Wallet for American users, marking its first fully native crypto feature available in the U.S. The TON Wallet integrates seamlessly into Telegram’s interface, allowing users to send, receive, and store tokens directly in chats without the need for extensions or separate apps.
Until now, the rollout had been restricted to Europe, Asia, and Russia due to regulatory uncertainty. With domestic clarity, Telegram is tapping into its 87 million U.S. users by integrating crypto access where they already connect.
Built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, the self‑custodial wallet supports Toncoin, USDT, NFTs, token swaps, staking, and DeFi access via Mini Apps.
Users maintain full control of private keys and benefit from zero‑fee USDT purchases through Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit cards, courtesy of MoonPay integration.
Andrew Rogozov, CEO of developer The Open Platform, frames the wallet as a natural extension of messaging.
“Sending digital assets feels as simple as sending a message, no friction, no extra steps. Users stay in full control of their keys and funds”.
TON Foundation’s Max Crown adds that embedding DeFi into a mainstream chat app removes entry barriers for everyday users.
Telegram’s ecosystem has already seen over 100 million wallet activations in 2024 among its billion-strong global user base.
The U.S. launch now opens considerable growth potential among its domestic users.
The wallet’s path to launch can be traced back to Telegram’s departure from its TON token ambitions following SEC pressure in 2020. Since then, native support has gradually returned in forms like TON Space and in‑chat transfers.
March 2025’s update added trading and staking for 100 million global users.
With U.S. users gaining direct access to crypto within Telegram, TON Wallet joins platforms like Coinbase and Cash App. Still, its differentiator lies in leveraging messaging habits to deliver crypto utility without added friction or centralization.
It keeps legal complexity at bay by using MoonPay for fiat gateways while The Open Platform handles custody infrastructure.
The strategic move puts Telegram on track to transform chats into crypto-enabled hubs. For industry insiders, the critical questions are adoption speed, regulatory stability, and how fast Mini Apps built around the wallet.
Early indicators suggest momentum: users already familiar with messaging now get a straightforward onramp into DeFi, an offering that may raise user engagement and unlock transaction monetization across the platform.
