{{Short description|Public decentralised layer-1 blockchain platform}} {{Infobox software | name = The Open Network (TON) | logo = TON_ICON.png | developer = Nikolai Durov | released = November 2019 (Mainnet) | Founder = | operating system = Cross-platform | programming language = C++, FunC, Tact | genre = Blockchain platform | website = {{URL|ton.org}} }}
'''The Open Network''' ('''TON'''), or simply '''TON Blockchain''', is a public, decentralised layer-1 blockchain platform that employs the cryptocurrency Gram (ticker: TON) to support transactions and its decentralised-app ecosystem. TON was originally established by Nikolai Durov, who co-founded the Telegram messaging platform, and was originally explored in a technical white paper publication released in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ton.org/whitepaper.pdf |title=TON Whitepaper |author=Durov, Nikolai |date=2021 |publisher=TON Foundation |access-date=18 February 2026}}</ref> After a legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) caused Telegram to abandon the project in 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-146 |title=Telegram to Return $1.2 Billion to Investors and Pay $18.5 Million Penalty to Settle SEC Charges |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=18 February 2026}}</ref> the application has subsequently been developed and governed by an independent, community-run body called the TON Foundation.
The blockchain is named after its original working title, Telegram Open Network, although the app was renamed The Open Network in response to its freedom from Telegram after a 2020 settlement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/26/telegram-to-pay-sec-fine-of-18-5-million-and-return-1-2-billion-to-investors-as-it-dissolves-ton/ |title=Telegram to pay SEC fine of $18.5 million and return $1.2 billion to investors as it dissolves TON |publisher=TechCrunch |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=18 February 2026}}</ref> In September 2023, Telegram elected TON as its Web3 infrastructure partner, integrating a TON-based wallet to the official Telegram app.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/13/telegram-ton-crypto-wallet/#:~:text=The%20wallet%20is%20the%20brainchild,has%20opted%20for%20decentralized%20payments/ |title=Telegram adds self-custodial crypto wallet worldwide, excluding the US |publisher=TechCrunch |date=13 September 2023 |access-date=18 February 2026}}</ref> TON's native medium is its own cryptocurrency Gram.
== History ==
The Open Network (TON) began in January 2018, when Telegram Messenger Inc. and TON Issuer Inc. started selling "Gram" tokens to finance development of the Telegram Open Network blockchain, ultimately raising US$1.7 billion across two private SAFT rounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019-212 |title=SEC Halts Alleged $1.7 Billion Unregistered Digital Token Offering |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=2019-10-11 |access-date=2025-05-17}}</ref>
Peer-to-peer transfers inside Telegram via the ''@wallet'' bot became available in April 2022.<ref name="Howcroft-2024">{{cite news |last1=Howcroft |first1=Elizabeth |title=Cryptoverse: TON takes off on Telegram tie-up |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/cryptoverse-ton-takes-off-telegram-tie-up-2024-04-30/ |access-date=26 January 2026 |work=Reuters |date=9 May 2024}}</ref>
In April 2024 Tether (USDT) issued a native TON version.<ref name="Howcroft-2024" />
On June 1, 2026, TON changed its native currency name from Toncoin to Gram. This was the original name introduced in the first white paper.
== References == {{Portal|Internet|Economics|Free and open-source software}} {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://ton.org/}} * {{GitHub|ton-blockchain}}
{{Cryptocurrencies}}
Category:Blockchains Category:Free software programmed in C++ Category:Software using the GNU Lesser General Public License