Telegram Launches Built-In Crypto Wallet for 87M U.S. Users — No App Needed
Telegram has officially rolled out its integrated crypto wallet to 87 million users in the United States, allowing them to send, receive, and manage digital assets directly within the app—no separate downloads, browser extensions, or logins required.
Called TON Wallet, the feature is now live within Telegram’s interface. It functions as a self-custodial wallet, meaning users retain full control over their private keys. The service is powered by The Open Platform (TOP) and built on the TON blockchain, enabling users to send stablecoins and other digital currencies as effortlessly as a regular message.
This marks the first time a self-custodial crypto wallet is embedded within a major U.S. messaging platform. The wallet has already seen massive global traction, with over 100 million activations worldwide in 2024 alone. The U.S. launch, previously delayed due to regulatory considerations, was greenlit after a shift in legal clarity and growing user demand.
TOP’s CEO highlighted that the increasing number of crypto-savvy users on Telegram made the U.S. market a priority. The wallet is seen as a core element of Telegram’s expanding Web3 ecosystem, particularly its growing suite of Mini Apps.
The onboarding process is made easier with a split-key backup system—part linked to a user’s Telegram account, and the other tied to their email—eliminating the need for traditional seed phrase memorization.
Users can access features like peer-to-peer transfers, token swaps, staking for passive income, and zero-fee crypto purchases, thanks to a partnership with MoonPay. The wallet also supports fiat on- and off-ramps via debit cards and links to decentralized apps within the Telegram environment.
While Telegram stepped away from directly managing the TON blockchain after regulatory challenges in 2020, it has since embraced TON-based innovations, including tokenized usernames, stickers, emojis, and partnerships like Fragment, a digital collectibles marketplace.
With this U.S. rollout, Telegram may pose serious competition to platforms like Cash App and Coinbase, especially as it continues blending crypto with everyday messaging. For now, the wallet avoids offering regulated financial services directly, instead relying on licensed partners to handle fiat transactions.
