Yep, this is real. Pavel Durov announced it June 1, 2026. 3951
*What’s actually happening:*
*1. The rebrand*
- *TON blockchain stays TON* - The Open Network name doesn’t change
- *Toncoin → Gram* - Only the token ticker/name changes back to “Gram”
- *Timeline*: ∼3 weeks for full transition across wallets, apps, exchanges
- *No action needed*: No token swap, no migration. Balances, staking, NFTs, DeFi positions stay the same 39516731
*2. Why “Gram” again*
Gram was the original name in TON’s first whitepaper from 2018. Telegram raised $1.7B in 2018, but the SEC blocked it in 2020 as an unregistered securities offering. Telegram paid $18.5M fine + returned $1.2B to investors. The community then continued it as “Toncoin” under TON Foundation. 3fc944ef
Durov: _“We’re returning to our roots — and starting a new chapter”_ abbe
*3. The bigger “MTONGA” strategy*
This is step 4 of 7 in Durov’s “Make TON Great Again” plan. Other moves: 6a2e
- *Step 1-2*: Network 10x faster, fees cut to near-zero
- *Step 3*: May 2026 - Telegram replaced TON Foundation, became largest validator
- *Step 4*: Token rebrand to Gram 4a596a2e
*4. Market reaction*
TON jumped 11-18% on the news, hit $2.26 then settled ∼$2.05-$2.19 39516731
*Will Gram “regain former glory”?*
*Bull case*:
- Direct Telegram integration = 950M+ user funnel
- Telegram now largest validator = stronger backing
- Cleaner branding: TON = network, Gram = currency 967e6a2e99c1
*Bear case*:
- “Gram” carries SEC lawsuit baggage from 2020
- Rebrand changes marketing, not tech - no new utility yet
- Regulators may look again due to name revival 44ef967e
*Watch for scams*: Any offers to “exchange,” “migrate,” or “convert” TON to GRAM are fake. It’s just a name change.
It’s definitely a big narrative shift. Whether it creates real buzz depends on steps 5-7 of MTONGA and if Telegram actually pushes Gram into the app for payments, mini-apps, etc.
#TON