Gram, formerly known as Toncoin, is the native token of The Open Network (TON), a blockchain closely tied to Telegram’s push into payments, Mini Apps and blockchain-based services. Its connection to Telegram gives TON a distinctive distribution channel, while its history and independent development can make the relationship between the two easy to misunderstand. So what exactly is TON, what is Gram used for and how can you buy it today?

What Is Toncoin (TON)?

The Open Network began as Telegram Open Network, a blockchain project developed by Telegram with a native token called Gram. Today, TON refers to the blockchain, while Gram is its native token, formerly known as Toncoin.

In 2018, Telegram raised about $1.7 billion through private Gram sales. The SEC challenged the token distribution, and a federal court sided with the agency in 2020. Telegram later settled the case, returning more than $1.2 billion to investors and paying an $18.5 million penalty. Development continued under independent developers after Telegram stepped away.

Today, TON operates as an independent blockchain. Telegram is a separate company that integrates TON into parts of its ecosystem. The network supports smart contracts, applications and payments.

The naming can still cause confusion. Following a community vote in 2026, Gram became the official name of TON’s native token, formerly known as Toncoin. If you are looking to acquire the asset, one option is to buy Gram (prev. Toncoin) through a non-custodial service such as ChangeNOW, which can send the purchased asset directly to a personal wallet.

What Is TON Used For?

Gram, formerly known as Toncoin, is the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network. It is used to pay transaction and smart contract fees and plays a role in TON’s proof-of-stake security model.

TON supports several functions across its ecosystem:

• Network fees: paying for transactions and smart contract operations.

• Staking: helping secure the network through proof of stake.

• Payments: transferring value between users and applications.

• Applications: supporting smart contracts, Jettons and NFTs.

• Digital services: enabling blockchain-based products built on TON.

Network activity creates demand for Gram through transaction fees, staking and other uses. More transactions and applications also increase demand for blockspace.

Why Telegram Matters to TON

Telegram gives TON a direct distribution channel through Mini Apps and other integrated services. These apps let users buy products, access services and play games without leaving Telegram. In June 2024, Telegram said more than 500 million users interacted with Mini Apps each month.

Telegram also tightened the connection in January 2025. Its developer terms require Mini Apps with cryptocurrency functionality to use TON for blockchain assets and TON Connect for wallet interactions. Existing blockchain-based Mini Apps using other networks were given until February 21, 2025, to transition to TON.

Telegram Mini Apps and Stars

Telegram Stars show how this integration works in practice. Users can purchase digital goods and services with Stars inside Mini Apps, while developers and creators can withdraw eligible Stars through Fragment with rewards paid in TON’s native token.

TON Connect also links Mini Apps with compatible wallets without giving applications access to users' private keys.

TON vs. Solana for Everyday Transfers

TON and Solana both support low-cost transfers, yet they have developed around different user journeys. TON brings many users in through Telegram Mini Apps, while Solana’s activity is spread across trading, payments, gaming and other applications. The resulting differences in onboarding, asset movement and everyday use are examined in this TON vs. Solana transfers comparison.

The main question for TON is whether Telegram integration can translate into sustained blockchain activity across payments, applications and other services.

How to Buy Toncoin

Buying TON comes down to choosing a purchase method and deciding where to keep the asset afterward. The options differ mainly in payment methods, custody and how the coins reach your wallet.

Where to Buy TON

TON is available on centralized exchanges such as Coinbase, Kraken and OKX, with fiat purchases and trading pairs supported in eligible regions. ChangeNOW also supports purchases with fiat or crypto and can send TON directly to a personal wallet.

With a centralized exchange, the TON you buy is held in your exchange account until you withdraw it. Some non-custodial services can send TON directly to your personal wallet. Before completing the purchase, check the exchange rate, fees, payment method and wallet address.

What to Check Before and After Buying

If you plan to use a personal wallet, confirm that it supports TON before buying. Enter the correct wallet address and network, then verify the details before sending, since blockchain transfers generally cannot be reversed.

After the purchase, check that the transaction has been completed and the funds have reached the intended wallet. If you bought TON through a custodial exchange, you can withdraw it to a personal wallet afterward.

How to Store TON Safely

TON can stay in custodial storage or move to a self-custodial wallet. Self-custody gives you control over the wallet keys, so the recovery phrase should be kept offline and never shared.

When using a TON application, read each transaction request before signing it. This helps prevent approving a transaction you did not intend to make.

Drivers of TON’s Future

TON’s future will depend on whether its existing user access turns into sustained blockchain activity. Several factors will determine how durable that activity becomes.

Network usage is the first one to watch. Growth in payments, transfers and applications would create recurring demand for blockspace and TON for transaction fees. Short-lived activity around individual launches would provide a weaker foundation.

Developer activity will shape what users can actually do on the network. Applications with repeat usage in payments, consumer services and digital assets can create more lasting demand than a steady stream of short-term projects.

Competition will remain intense. Ethereum and Solana already attract developers, liquidity and users across multiple categories. TON has to retain its own users while giving developers a reason to build applications that benefit from its infrastructure and distribution.

Regulation could affect how easily users access TON and how businesses use it. Rules covering crypto payments, custody, token issuance and financial services could influence the network's growth, particularly in markets where Telegram has a large user base.

For TON, recurring applications, transaction activity and developer participation will be more useful indicators than individual launches or short-term market interest.

Where Toncoin Stands Today

TON has a strong connection to Telegram, while its longer-term relevance will depend on activity across the blockchain itself. Payments, Mini Apps and other applications will need to generate recurring use as TON competes with established Layer-1 networks.

For anyone buying Gram, the practical side matters as much as the project itself. Check the purchase method, confirm the wallet and network before sending funds and keep recovery credentials secure.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or trading advice. Cryptocurrency prices can be highly volatile. Always conduct your own research and consider your circumstances before making any transaction. Availability of services, payment methods and crypto assets may vary by jurisdiction.