Blockchain technology has long been criticized for its complexity and lack of real-world usability. However, The Open Network (TON), in close partnership with Telegram, is positioning itself to change that narrative. By leveraging Telegram’s massive user base and intuitive interface, TON is working to make blockchain accessible to everyone—not just crypto natives.
In an exclusive interview, Max Crown, the newly appointed CEO of the TON Foundation, shared his vision and strategy for driving mainstream adoption through seamless integration with Telegram.
Leadership and Vision
What Drew You to TON?
What attracted me to TON was its real potential to onboard the next billion users into crypto—not in theory, but in practice. Having worked in fintech and regulatory environments for years, I noticed a recurring issue: many blockchain platforms are technologically advanced but not user-friendly. TON is different. Its integration with Telegram means we can introduce blockchain technology to people’s daily lives on a massive scale. Leading this kind of transformative change is what excites me the most.
Long-Term Vision for TON
The idea is simple: people should use blockchain every day without even realizing it. Whether it’s transferring money, accessing digital services, or playing games, the experience should feel natural. Our ultimate goal is for TON to become the underlying infrastructure for the next generation of internet applications—secure, decentralized, and accessible to all.
Biggest Challenges Ahead
The most significant challenge is balancing two worlds: a decentralized open-source developer community and a more centralized, fast-moving platform like Telegram. Yet, this tension is also an opportunity. It pushes us to improve coordination, enhance tools like TON Connect, and create smoother experiences for both developers and users.
Product and Ecosystem Strategy
Most Exciting Aspect of TON and Telegram
Scale. It’s rare to work on an infrastructure that’s naturally integrated into an app with over a billion users. Telegram gives TON instant reach, which completely changes the game. I’m particularly excited about how seamless blockchain applications have become—from Mini Apps to Toncoin payments—making it easier than ever to bring non-crypto users into the Web3 world.
The Future of Telegram and TON as a “Super App”
Imagine a world where you don’t need ten different apps to manage finances, buy digital assets, or access decentralized services. Everything happens within Telegram. You can book services, tip creators, trade assets, play games, and transfer funds—all within a single chat thread. That’s the vision, and we’re closer to it than people realize.
Key Upcoming Milestones
We’re focusing on scaling the Mini Apps ecosystem, increasing developer incentives, improving TON Connect’s user experience, and introducing new workchains for better scalability. We’re also preparing for a significant expansion into the U.S. market.
Strategic Positioning and Growth
What Makes TON Different from Other Layer 1 Blockchains?
TON isn’t just competing to be the best blockchain for crypto-native users. We’re building it for everyday users worldwide. While most blockchains focus on capturing the existing Web3 audience, we’re creating a new one by embedding blockchain directly into Telegram—an app already used by over a billion people. It’s not just about scale; it’s about distribution, onboarding, and user experience.
Current Strategic Priorities
Three things: scale, simplicity, and support. We’re expanding our infrastructure to match growth, simplifying onboarding through TON Connect and Telegram Wallet, and boosting developer support through grants, documentation, and ecosystem programs. Our goal is to make it easy to build and even easier to adopt.
Sustaining the Momentum from Mini-Apps
Momentum comes from results. We’ve grown from 4 million to over 40 million users. Now, it’s about turning that excitement into sustainable engagement. This means deeper Telegram integration, real-world use cases, and continuous innovation—not just in technology, but in user experience.
Telegram Mini-App Ecosystem
Key Lessons from the Mini-App Boom
Distribution trumps complex features. Mini Apps showed us that when developers can reach a massive audience directly—and users don’t need to struggle with complicated steps—adoption accelerates. That’s why TON-based applications often grow faster than traditional Web3 apps.
How Toncoin Integration Drives Adoption
The impact is significant. When users can earn and spend Toncoin as easily as any other digital currency—and within an app they already trust—barriers disappear. Whether tipping creators or paying for services, Toncoin becomes part of daily interactions rather than a standalone financial tool.
Regulation and Compliance
Navigating Global Regulations
The approach I adopted at MoonPay still applies: be proactive, not reactive. This means maintaining transparency, supporting compliance tools, and engaging in open dialogue with regulators. Especially in the U.S., where the new administration is more crypto-friendly, we’re preparing to operate within any emerging framework.
Community and Culture
Message to Developers and Supporters
To developers: Keep building. You’re the core of this ecosystem. We’ll support you with better tools, improved documentation, and broader distribution through Telegram. To supporters: Stay engaged, but remember—we’re building something meant to last.
Final Thoughts
One thing often overlooked is that we’re not just building a blockchain. We’re creating the infrastructure for the next phase of the internet—decentralized, user-owned, and accessible to everyone. And we’re doing it without asking people to change their habits, learn new systems, or deal with complexity. We’re making crypto that just works. That’s the power of TON.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is TON?
TON, or The Open Network, is a blockchain platform designed for high scalability and user-friendly applications. It is closely integrated with Telegram, allowing seamless access to decentralized services.
How does TON differ from other blockchains?
Unlike most blockchains that target existing crypto users, TON focuses on mass adoption through its integration with Telegram. This provides instant access to a vast user base and simplifies the onboarding process.
What are Telegram Mini Apps?
Mini Apps are lightweight applications running within Telegram. They enable users to access services—like gaming, trading, or payments—without leaving the app, creating a smooth and integrated experience.
Is Toncoin available globally?
Yes, Toncoin is accessible worldwide. However, regulatory compliance varies by region, and the TON Foundation is actively working to ensure adherence to local laws.
How can developers build on TON?
Developers can use TON’s open-source tools, documentation, and grants to create applications. The TON Connect system simplifies integration with Telegram, offering direct distribution to millions of users.
What is the long-term goal of TON?
TON aims to become the foundational infrastructure for the decentralized internet, enabling everyday users to interact with blockchain technology without even realizing it.