Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Announces Toncoin Rebrand to GRAM as Token Price Surges

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has unveiled a major rebranding initiative for the TON ecosystem, confirming that Toncoin will be renamed GRAM, the original name proposed for the network’s native cryptocurrency in its first white paper. The announcement has generated significant market excitement, helping the token climb more than 10% as investors react positively to Telegram’s renewed involvement in the ecosystem.

In a statement shared on Telegram, Durov explained that the rebrand marks a return to the project’s origins while signaling the beginning of a new phase for the blockchain network. According to him, the transition from Toncoin to GRAM is expected to be completed within approximately three weeks. Despite the token name change, TON (The Open Network) will continue to serve as the official name of the layer-1 blockchain.

Following the announcement, the token price surged to around $2.10, according to TradingView data. The cryptocurrency has also posted strong gains over the past several weeks, rising more than 19% in the last seven days and approximately 60% over the previous month. The rally comes even as the broader crypto market faces selling pressure, with Bitcoin recently dropping below the key $71,000 level amid geopolitical concerns.

Durov described the rebranding as the fourth step in his broader plan to “Make TON Great Again,” a seven-step roadmap designed to strengthen the network’s position in the blockchain industry. Earlier milestones included a major network upgrade that significantly improved transaction speeds and increased block production rates. Additional improvements have focused on reducing transaction fees to near-zero levels and expanding Telegram’s role within the ecosystem.

Telegram originally developed the TON project before stepping back due to regulatory challenges involving the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). With those legal issues now resolved, Telegram is once again taking a more active role in the network’s growth. As the GRAM rebrand moves forward, market participants will be closely watching how Telegram’s deeper involvement influences adoption, ecosystem development, and the token’s long-term performance in the competitive cryptocurrency market.