TON Token Renamed to Gram in Pavel Durov Rebranding Push

The Open Network has renamed its native token from Toncoin to Gram, reviving a brand originally tied to Telegram’s early blockchain ambitions under CEO Pavel Durov.

What changed in the TON to Gram rebranding

The TON blockchain project has officially revived the Gram name for its native cryptocurrency, according to reporting from The Block. The network itself will continue to operate under The Open Network brand, meaning only the token’s name and ticker are affected.

The Gram label dates back to Telegram’s original blockchain project, which was shelved in 2020 after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission blocked its token sale. The community-driven TON project that emerged afterward adopted the Toncoin name to distance itself from those regulatory complications.

Now, with Durov publicly backing the rebrand, the project is returning to its roots, signaling confidence that the original branding can be reclaimed without the legal baggage that once accompanied it.

Why Durov’s Gram branding carries weight

Pavel Durov’s involvement elevates this beyond a routine ticker change. As the founder of Telegram, Durov’s endorsement directly connects Gram to one of the largest messaging platforms in the world.

The Gram name carries built-in recognition from Telegram’s original 2018 token sale. Reviving it now suggests the project wants to recapture that early momentum and the mainstream attention it generated.

Community perception and narrative control

In crypto, branding shapes community identity and investor confidence. The shift from Toncoin to Gram consolidates the project’s narrative around its Telegram origins rather than its post-regulatory pivot. For holders who entered during the Toncoin era, the rebrand reframes their investment as part of a longer, more ambitious story.

This kind of identity realignment is not unprecedented. Projects routinely adjust branding as strategic priorities shift, similar to how Solana’s SIMD-547 proposal for a resource-based fee burn mechanism reflects an evolving approach to protocol economics.

What the Gram rename could mean for users and the market

The most immediate practical effect will be on exchange listings and wallet interfaces. Platforms that currently list Toncoin will need to update token names, tickers, and potentially trading pair labels. This transition period could create short-term confusion for traders searching under the old name.

Market participants should watch for official announcements from major exchanges confirming the ticker migration timeline. Until exchanges fully update, discrepancies in naming could affect search visibility and order routing on some platforms.

The rebrand may also attract renewed attention from investors who remember the original Gram token sale, potentially bringing fresh capital into the ecosystem. Whether that translates into sustained demand depends on how the TON network develops its infrastructure in a competitive landscape where institutional players are already eyeing mainstream crypto adoption.

Regulatory clarity will also be a factor. As traditional finance figures like CME CEO Terry Duffy have cautioned about risks in crypto derivatives, the Gram rebrand’s success will partly hinge on whether the token’s new identity attracts regulatory scrutiny or operates smoothly under existing frameworks.

For now, the confirmed details are limited to the name change itself. The underlying protocol, validator set, and smart contract architecture remain unchanged. Holders do not need to swap tokens or take any action, as the rebrand is cosmetic at the network level.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.