TON Foundation to Rename Toncoin as Gram Starting June 15

The TON Foundation will rebrand its own token Toncoin to Gram beginning June 15, reaffirming its connection to Telegram’s original crypto ambitions. The change was approved decisively, with 81.22% backing in a recent governance vote, the foundation confirmed on its official X account on June 9. Alongside the renaming, Toncoin’s ticker will update from TON to GRAM at 20:00 UTC on the same day.

Notably, the blockchain network itself will retain its current name, The Open Network. The update affects only the token’s name, ticker symbol, and icon, leaving the underlying technology untouched. Traders and investors interpret this move as a strategic attempt to revive the original Telegram-era identity that was derailed in 2019 when the SEC blocked Telegram’s launch of a cryptocurrency named Gram.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov had hinted at this reconciliation recently, stirring speculation about closer ties between Telegram and TON’s ecosystem. The rebrand can be seen as a symbolic bridge, possibly indicating stronger alignment or cooperation in the future. This is crucial for TON, which has struggled to define its position after the legal setbacks erased Gram from the limelight.

From a market perspective, the direct impact on liquidity or price action remains to be seen. The token itself functions independently of Telegram’s platform today, but the rebranding could ignite speculation and renewed interest, potentially increasing trading volumes and attracting Telegram’s vast user base. However, the foundation has been careful to clarify that the blockchain network name will not change, underlining a distinction between the decentralized platform and the token’s identity.

Key details to monitor in the near term include listings and ticker symbol updates on major exchanges, as well as any formal announcements from Telegram regarding renewed crypto initiatives. Observers will also watch whether this move leads to practical integrations or capabilities that could leverage Telegram’s existing infrastructure. The official switch takes place within a week–June 15 at 20:00 UTC–marking the earliest opportunity for market participants to gauge the broader significance.