Telegram’s Exclusive TON Wallet Mandate Reshapes Crypto Access

Industry Faces Major Shift as Telegram Enforces TON-Only Wallets

Telegram has made a decisive move in its blockchain strategy, mandating that all third-party cryptocurrency wallets operating on its platform integrate TON Connect as the sole wallet connection protocol. The requirement, which takes effect on February 21, 2025, leaves non-compliant wallets facing immediate suspension. 

This policy stems from Telegram’s exclusive partnership with The Open Network (TON) Foundation, solidifying TON as the only supported blockchain for Telegram-based services, including Mini Apps. Existing applications built on Ethereum, BNB, and other blockchains must migrate to TON, requiring developers to bridge assets, modify smart contracts, and adopt TON Connect for authentication.

TON Connect, launched in April 2022, enables secure wallet-to-application communication, allowing users to interact with services without traditional login credentials. While Wallet in Telegram, the default TON-based crypto wallet, remains unaffected, some third-party providers have proactively integrated TON Connect. 

Bitget Wallet Lite implemented the protocol on January 16, 2025, with COO Alvin Kan stating the integration enhances user and developer experiences within Telegram’s ecosystem. However, the transition has sparked criticism from developers and industry figures concerned about decentralization.

Grindery Wallet, one of the affected third-party providers, is considering withdrawing from Telegram entirely due to the forced migration. CEO Tim Delhaes accused Telegram of monopolistic practices, comparing the move to actions taken by Big Tech firms. 

Delhaes expressed frustration over the limited time given to developers for compliance, warning that such an abrupt shift could erode trust in Telegram’s commitment to open ecosystems. Despite its objections, Grindery remains compliant while advocating for a multichain future beyond Telegram’s infrastructure.

Beyond wallet providers, the directive has broad implications for Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem. Mini Apps previously reliant on Ethereum and BNB must either transition to TON or risk being shut out, potentially pushing some developers to abandon Telegram’s platform altogether. 

If all affected applications migrate successfully, TON’s blockchain could face scalability challenges, raising concerns over potential congestion and network limitations. Telegram’s updated terms reinforce the exclusivity, barring support for Ethereum-based tokens and NFTs while making TON the sole provider of blockchain services within its platform.

This came as sources reported that Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s legal case in France would not reach court for at least a year, according to Mailice de Reck, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office. Detained at Le Bourget airport on August 24, Durov faces six charges, including involvement in a criminal group enabling illegal transactions, with potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a €500,000 fine. 

Currently under court supervision, he posted €5 million bail and must report to police twice weekly. With no trial date set, Telegram remains uncertain about its leadership while Durov remains confined to France.

This article has been refined and enhanced by ChatGPT.