Immediately after Pavel Durov’s posts, Toncoin jumped from $1.35 to $1.65 within the first 24 hours, driven by a sharp surge in trading activity. The rally continued the next day, with prices reaching $1.95. By May 6–7, the asset had stabilized in the $2.45–2.73 range, nearly doubling from its levels at the start of the week.
Earlier, we reported on Durov’s announcement that Telegram is taking on a key role in the development of The Open Network, replacing TON Foundation as the project’s primary governing force. Durov said the messenger platform will become the network’s largest validator by launching large-scale Toncoin staking and financing other infrastructure participants.
Return to the Top of the Crypto Market
The market responded immediately: the token gained more than 70% in just a few days.
The coin’s market capitalization surpassed $6B, allowing it to return to the top 20 largest cryptocurrencies. Daily trading volume peaked above $1B, reflecting a rapid influx of liquidity as the market reassessed Telegram’s role in the ecosystem.
The sharp move was not driven by speculation alone. Telegram also announced that network fees would be reduced by roughly six times, bringing them close to zero. That immediately boosted interest in network usage and ecosystem transactions.
What Is Changing Within the Network
Durov outlined Telegram’s next steps over the next two to three weeks: updating ton.org, launching new developer tools, and improving blockchain performance. The company has already begun actively staking its own Toncoin while simultaneously strengthening the network through validator support.
Following the announcement, activity across TON-related sectors surged. Volumes on decentralized exchanges rose severalfold, while total value locked across ecosystem protocols climbed. Market participants quickly reassessed the blockchain’s prospects after it gained a direct link to Telegram’s 950M users.