On June 1, Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced that the native token of the TON blockchain would be renamed Gram from Toncoin. Following the announcement, TON shares surged, rising over 15% at one point to above $2.18, with trading volume also increasing significantly.
The name change is expected to be completed in three weeks.
Durov stated in a Telegram post that Gram was the name of the TON token in the original white paper, and this change is a return to the project's earlier name. According to him, the renaming process is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete.
This adjustment only involves the token name; TON will continue to be used as the blockchain network name. This means that the chain name and the token name will be further distinguished.
Reconnecting with early brands
The name Gram is directly related to Telegram's early blockchain plans. In 2020, following a legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Telegram abandoned its initial Gram token issuance plans and withdrew from direct involvement in the original TON project.
Subsequently, the related ecosystem continued to develop independently under the TON name. Now, the reactivation of Gram also reconnects the project with Telegram's original crypto narrative.
Telegram has recently deepened its engagement
Durov also named this renaming the "Make TON Great Again" plan "Step 4 of 7," indicating that it is not an isolated action, but part of a series of recent adjustments to TON.
According to the information in the article, Telegram has increased its operational involvement in TON in recent weeks, and network fees have also been reduced. Durov also signaled further integration between Telegram and TON infrastructure.
From a market perspective, the price rose after the announcement, accompanied by an increase in trading volume, indicating stronger short-term buying. The renamed Gram also helps to enhance token recognition and makes the distinction between TON as a public chain name and its native asset name clearer.
