Nikolas Sargeant
Telegram has officially launched its built-in self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet for users across the United States, marking a significant expansion of the messaging platform's financial services. The new feature enables millions of users to send and manage crypto directly within the app through a partnership with MoonPay, bringing digital asset functionality to Telegram's 87 million American users.
The wallet runs on The Open Network (TON) blockchain and allows users to handle cryptocurrency transactions without downloading separate applications or creating additional accounts. This integration represents a major step toward mainstream crypto adoption by embedding financial services directly into one of the world's most popular messaging platforms. The self-custodial nature of the wallet means users maintain full control over their private keys and funds.
The wallet supports stablecoin transfers, token swaps, and zero-fee crypto purchases via MoonPay, offering a comprehensive suite of basic cryptocurrency services within the familiar Telegram interface. This launch comes as part of Telegram's broader strategy to integrate financial services into its ecosystem, building on previous crypto initiatives that were initially available globally but excluded US users due to regulatory considerations.
The timing of this US launch appears strategic, as the cryptocurrency market continues to mature and regulatory clarity improves in American markets. More than 100 million users globally have already activated similar wallet features, suggesting strong user demand for integrated crypto services within messaging platforms. This development positions Telegram as a significant player in the growing intersection of social media and financial technology.
Telegram's crypto integration has gained significant momentum through high-profile partnerships and exclusive blockchain commitments. The platform recently witnessed massive success with celebrity NFT drops, including Snoop Dogg's $12 million sellout collection that sold nearly 996,000 digital collectibles within 30 minutes on the TON blockchain. Such successes demonstrate the platform's growing influence in the digital asset space and its ability to facilitate large-scale crypto transactions.
However, Telegram's crypto strategy has also generated controversy within the developer community. The platform recently mandated that all third-party wallets use TON Connect exclusively, requiring existing Mini Apps on other blockchains to migrate to TON by February 21. This decision has sparked concerns about centralization and the platform's commitment to an open ecosystem, with some developers considering leaving Telegram entirely due to the exclusive blockchain requirement.
