Pavel Durov announced Telegram will launch a non-custodial Gram wallet this summer, enabling fee-free crypto transactions for over 1 billion users.
Overview
- Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, announced plans for a non-custodial Gram wallet this summer, aiming for instant, fee-free crypto transactions for over 1 billion users.
- The announcement led to a near 7% increase in the price of Gram, Telegram's cryptocurrency, although it remains 88% below its peak.
- The new wallet will allow users to maintain control of their private keys, unlike the current custodial Wallet bot.
Pavel Durov is gearing up for a significant rollout as he revealed that Telegram plans to introduce a native non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet this summer. This new feature, which will be available across all app versions, is designed to facilitate instant and fee-free transactions for Telegram's extensive user base of over 1 billion people.
The wallet will support Telegram's own cryptocurrency, Gram, previously known as Toncoin. By implementing a non-custodial model, users will have full control over their private keys, preventing any external parties from freezing or taking their funds.
Currently, Telegram offers a Wallet bot (@wallet) with over 150 million users, but it operates in a custodial mode where the company holds the keys. The upcoming wallet will change this dynamic significantly.
Notably, the new wallet will be directly integrated into the Telegram app, eliminating the need for users to search for it separately. Durov emphasized that this initiative represents the largest launch of a non-custodial wallet in history.
🌍 This summer marks the largest launch of a non-custodial crypto wallet in history.
⚡️ Instant zero-fee crypto transactions for over a billion users are on the horizon.
We're introducing a native non-custodial Gram wallet to every Telegram app! 💎
— Pavel Durov (@durov) July 21, 2026
Unlike the existing @wallet, which defaults to custodial settings, the new wallet will be non-custodial from the start. However, details on whether it will replace the current bot, what additional cryptocurrencies it may support, and how it will manage private keys for new users have not yet been disclosed.
Following Durov's announcement, the price of Gram surged nearly 7%, reaching $1.52, with a market cap of $4.18 billion. Despite this rise, the token is still significantly down from its peak earlier this year.
To understand the importance of this launch, it is essential to note Telegram's history with cryptocurrency. The company originally raised $1.7 billion for the Gram token in 2018, but faced legal challenges from the SEC, resulting in a settlement that required Telegram to refund investors and abandon the project. After a period of community-led development under the name Toncoin, Durov resumed control in 2026, leading to the rebranding back to Gram this June.
The forthcoming wallet aims to simplify cryptocurrency transactions for everyday users, enabling them to send money as easily as sending a text message. This could provide small businesses and retailers with a powerful payment solution that reaches a vast audience without transaction fees, outpacing traditional card networks.
While the wallet promises significant advantages, potential investors are advised to consider the broader market trends before making any decisions, especially given Gram's current bearish trajectory. The anticipated launch date remains unspecified beyond the summer timeframe.
