Pavel Durov brings back Gram as TON enters sts next big test

TON has rallied after Telegram founder Pavel Durov said the network’s native token will revert to its original name, Gram.

According to Durov, Gram was the original name of the token in TON’s original white paper, while TON will remain the name of the blockchain network. The planned change separates the currency from the network and brings back a brand tied to Telegram’s early blockchain plans.

The announcement triggered a sharp market move on June 1. TON climbed 18.75% over 24 hours to $2.19, as traders responded to the return of the Gram identity and Telegram’s growing role in the ecosystem. Durov said the renaming process should take about three weeks.

No token swap will be required. Durov said user balances, staking positions, and network activity will remain unchanged during the process. The update is therefore a brand change rather than a technical migration.

Gram name returns after years away

The Gram name carries a long history for Telegram’s blockchain project. Telegram first introduced Gram during its original blockchain initiative, which attracted significant investor interest before it ran into legal trouble in the United States.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission challenged the project in 2020, and Telegram later stepped back from direct control of the network. After that dispute, community developers continued building the blockchain under the TON name.

Durov’s latest announcement brings the currency back to the name used before the regulatory dispute. However, he said the blockchain itself will continue to use TON, maintaining a clear split between the network and the token.

Telegram Deepens Its Blockchain Push

The rebrand comes as Telegram increases its involvement with TON-linked products and infrastructure. Durov has described the effort as part of a campaign called “Make TON Great Again,” which he said includes more ecosystem changes.

Network fees have also been reduced, while infrastructure updates have been introduced across the TON ecosystem. Telegram has continued to add blockchain-based features to its products, strengthening the network’s connection to the messaging platform’s large user base.

The return of Gram also gives Telegram and TON a simpler naming structure. Several major blockchain networks use one name for the chain and another for the currency, and Durov’s announcement places TON closer to that model.

The token’s 18.75% gain indicated a rapid response from traders following Durov’s statement. TON traded at $2.19 after the announcement, with market activity centered on the restored Gram name and Telegram’s role in the network’s future.

Durov did not describe the rebrand as a token relaunch. He said the change will not affect ownership records, staking, or network operations, which may help limit confusion among current holders.