| The Open Network (TON) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Nikolai Durov |
| Initial release | November 2019 (Mainnet) |
| Written in | C++, FunC, Tact |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Blockchain platform |
| Website | ton |
| Repository | |
The Open Network (TON)', or simplyTON Blockchain, is a public,decentralisedlayer-1 blockchain platform that employs thecryptocurrencyToncoin (ticker: TON) to support transactions and its decentralised-app ecosystem. TON was originally established byNikolai Durov, who co-founded theTelegram messaging platform, and was originally explored in a technicalwhite paper publication released in 2019.[1] After a legal dispute with theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) caused Telegram to abandon the project in 2020,[2] 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.[3] In September 2023, Telegram elected TON as itsWeb3 infrastructure partner, integrating a TON-based wallet to the official Telegram app.[4] TON's native medium is its own cryptocurrency Toncoin.
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.[5]
Peer-to-peer transfers inside Telegram via the@wallet bot became available in April 2022.[6]
In April 2024Tether (USDT) issued a native TON version.[6]
