- Telegram plans to roll out a non-custodial crypto wallet to its nearly 1 billion users later this summer.
- CEO Pavel Durov called it the largest rollout of a self-custody wallet in history, promising instant zero-fee crypto transactions.
- The initiative builds on Telegram’s expanding blockchain ecosystem following the recent Toncoin-to-GRAM rebranding.
Telegram is preparing one of the biggest cryptocurrency launches ever announced by a mainstream technology platform.
CEO Pavel Durov revealed that the messaging giant plans to introduce a non-custodial crypto wallet to its global user base of roughly 1 billion people, describing the rollout as the largest self-custody wallet deployment in history.
While full technical details have yet to be released, the announcement signals Telegram’s continued push to integrate blockchain technology directly into its messaging platform.
Self-Custody Comes to Telegram
Unlike custodial wallets, a non-custodial wallet gives users complete control over their private keys and digital assets.
Durov also teased instant, zero-fee cryptocurrency transactions, suggesting Telegram is aiming to make sending digital assets as simple as sending a message.
The launch could significantly lower the barrier to entry for users interested in cryptocurrencies by embedding wallet functionality into one of the world’s most popular communication platforms.
Building on an Existing Crypto Ecosystem
Telegram already offers access to Wallet in Telegram, a crypto wallet that earlier this year reported more than 150 million registered users.
The existing service enables users to store, send, and trade digital assets directly within the app.
The upcoming non-custodial wallet appears to represent a broader expansion of Telegram’s crypto strategy rather than a replacement for its current offerings.
GRAM Becomes Telegram’s New Focus
The announcement follows major changes to Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem.
Last month, the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON) was rebranded to GRAM, while Telegram assumed a more active leadership role by replacing the TON Foundation as the ecosystem’s primary steward and largest validator.
The changes reflect Telegram’s renewed commitment to building blockchain services directly around its global messaging platform.
Crypto Adoption Could Reach a New Audience
Telegram has long been viewed as one of the most influential platforms in the cryptocurrency industry, with millions of digital asset users already relying on the app for communities, trading discussions, and blockchain projects.
A built-in self-custody wallet available to nearly 1 billion users could significantly expand mainstream access to cryptocurrencies, making digital asset ownership more accessible without requiring third-party applications.
If the rollout proceeds as planned, Telegram’s latest initiative could become one of the largest consumer-facing crypto deployments ever undertaken by a technology company.
