Durov Takes Over TON as Telegram Driver; Catchain 2.0 Speed Boost Triggers TON Rally

Published: 2026-05-06 01:50:37 |

Pavel Durov said Telegram will replace TON Foundation as the main driver of TON and become its largest validator. The announcement coincided with ton.org entering maintenance and pricing moving quickly: TON rose about 37% in two days (around $1.35 to $1.85), highlighting renewed market attention. Context matters for traders. TON originated from Telegram’s 2018 Gram ICO, was forced to stop in 2020 after SEC litigation, and was later rebuilt by the community before shifting to the TON Foundation (registered in Switzerland in 2023). After a 2024 surge tied to Telegram Mini Apps—especially Notcoin tap-to-earn games—TON’s momentum faded when attention waned and Durov faced legal troubles. Now the focus is execution. TON completed Catchain 2.0 consensus upgrades, cutting block time to ~400ms and enabling final confirmation in ~1 second. Fees were reduced to about $0.0005, and infrastructure updates include a Rust-based node for easier large-scale deployment plus tooling upgrades (Builders Portal 2.0). Traders should watch whether the improved TON performance and lower costs translate into sustained usage on Telegram Mini Apps and AI-related payments, or whether this remains a short-lived headline-driven pump.

Bullish

The news is likely bullish for TON. A credible catalyst is combined: (1) a governance/operational shift—Telegram (via Durov) taking a more direct role as the largest validator and replacing TON Foundation’s “driver” status; and (2) measurable network performance improvements—Catchain 2.0 reducing block time to ~400ms, near-1s finality, and fees down to ~$0.0005. Historically, when high-visibility ecosystem hubs (like messaging platforms) commit to deeper integration with an L1 and the chain simultaneously improves throughput/cost, markets often front-run the narrative with upside momentum. In the short term, the 37% move suggests traders are already pricing in a renewed “Telegram–TON flywheel,” which can create trend-following demand and higher volatility. In the long term, the upside depends on whether the improved TON economics actually increase user activity and developer mindshare (especially for Mini Apps and AI-related payments). If usage growth follows the upgrades, TON could sustain gains; if headlines fade without retention, the market may revert—similar to what happened after the 2024 Mini Apps burst when follow-through lagged.