Telegram’s widely used t.me domain was unexpectedly suspended at the registry level on July 13, interrupting access to several of the company’s core crypto services that depend heavily on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. According to Domain Name Wire, the outage immediately blocked millions of users from using short links, including those required to reach Telegram’s built-in wallet and a range of Mini Apps linked to TON.
Registry action halts t.me domain
The suspension occurred after the .me domain registry, which controls the country-code top-level domain for Montenegro, applied a serverHold status to t.me. Identity Digital is responsible for the technical aspects of the .me domain, while a separate Montenegro-based entity manages commercial operations.
ServerHold is an Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) code that removes a domain’s DNS records from the internet, meaning that websites, emails, and any associated online service reliant on the domain become instantly inaccessible. This status is not activated by the domain’s registrar but directly by the domain registry. ICANN documentation lists multiple reasons for such a hold, including payment issues, verification failures, fraud suspicion, or broader security concerns.
As of publication, neither Telegram nor the .me registry had issued a statement explaining the suspension. Monitoring services, including International Cyber Digest, reported the situation remained unresolved.
Mini dictionary: ServerHold — An EPP status code applied by a domain registry that removes all DNS records for a domain, making associated websites, email, and services unreachable.
Impact on crypto wallet and other services
Telegram has long used t.me as the single point of entry for its blockchain services and millions of user accounts. The domain serves not only as a URL shortener but also as the primary gateway to Telegram’s custodial wallet, reached through t.me/wallet. This wallet enables the buying, storing, and transferring of digital assets such as USDT, Bitcoin, and Gram (also known as TON), which is the native token of The Open Network.
The .me domain forms the technical foundation for Telegram’s messaging ecosystem and its blockchain-powered services, creating a single point of access for Mini Apps and wallets alike.
The outage immediately rendered all short-link-based entry points unusable, including digital asset management, tokenized collectible usernames, and other TON-based features such as Telegram Gifts represented as NFTs and Mini Apps accessed via TON Connect.
Mini dictionary: The Open Network (TON) — A Layer-1 blockchain initially developed by Telegram, now maintained by the community, facilitating fast transactions, tokenization, and a suite of decentralized applications with deep integration into Telegram’s ecosystem.
According to public data, Gram was trading at $1.59 on July 13, dropping nearly 2% in the last 24 hours and giving it a market capitalization of $4.33 billion. This valuation placed it 21st in global crypto rankings by market cap.
| Token | Price (July 13) | 24h Change | Market Cap | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gram (TON) | $1.59 | -1.99% | $4.33 billion | 21 |
Telegram’s next steps uncertain
Telegram reached a partnership agreement with the .me domain registry, making t.me the official short-link domain for both messaging and blockchain services. This unique arrangement placed a single domain at the center of key access procedures for millions of users worldwide.
Unless the serverHold status is lifted or a satisfactory explanation is provided, many of the most prominent blockchain functionalities within the Telegram ecosystem remain inaccessible. Industry observers are watching for clarification from the registry or any moves by Telegram to introduce an alternative domain that would restore access to affected services.
With one of the main gateways to TON’s $4.33 billion token ecosystem blocked, users and developers face significant hurdles until the suspension is resolved.
As the situation remains unresolved, entry to Telegram’s blockchain and digital asset ecosystem has become considerably more difficult for global users and communities.
