For months, Telegram had been unusually about its long-term plans for TON. There have been a few posts and reposts but there were no major announcements, no clear direction,just steady background activity. Now, that silence is beginning to make sense.
However, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has taken to his X account to reveal that Telegram is expected to step in as the primary driving force and become TON’s largest validator, effectively taking over from the TON Foundation.
This is not just a leadership adjustment. Telegram is also set to become the largest validator on the network, giving it significant influence over how transactions are processed and how the network operates at a technical level. Validators play a central role in maintaining blockchain systems, and holding a leading position places Telegram at the core of TON’s infrastructure.
At the same time, transaction fees on TON have dropped sharply,falling by nearly six times to almost zero. The change appears intentional, aimed at removing friction for users and making the network more accessible for everyday transactions and applications.
Furthermore, the focus is now shifting toward technical performance and usability. Planned updates include improved developer tools, performance upgrades, and the rollout of a redesigned ton.org platform. These changes are expected to make it easier for developers to build and scale applications within the ecosystem.
This direction suggests a stronger push toward making TON more competitive as a high-performance blockchain. Lower fees, faster processing, and better tools could attract more developers and users, especially those building within Telegram’s ecosystem.
However, Telegram’s deeper involvement introduces a new layer of discussion around decentralization. While its infrastructure and user base could accelerate adoption, becoming the largest validator and primary driver raises questions about how much control a single entity should have within the network.
The transition is expected to take place within the next two to three weeks, indicating a relatively fast rollout for changes of this scale. If implemented as planned, the update could redefine how TON operates and how closely it is integrated with Telegram’s platform.What began as a quiet period now appears to have been a buildup to a more decisive move,one that places Telegram at the center of TON’s next stage.