The Open Network (TON) blockchain, closely integrated with Telegram, has undergone a significant upgrade that reportedly boosts transaction speeds and substantially cuts confirmation times. TON was initially developed as a Telegram-backed project aimed at creating a decentralized infrastructure to handle high-volume messaging and app activity, but became an independent blockchain after facing regulatory hurdles. Today, TON remains connected to Telegram’s ecosystem, providing the backbone for payments and Mini Apps used by its large user base.
Upgrade details and impact on transaction speed
Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder and a prominent figure in the technology sector, recently highlighted that TON now processes transactions in approximately one second, thanks to the enhanced network capability. Block production is said to have increased sixfold, and transaction speeds have improved notably with this latest development.
The blockchain expects its mainnet to achieve sub-second finality starting April 10 with the rollout of Catchain 2.0, a system designed to synchronize nodes more efficiently and confirm transactions nearly instantaneously. This technical improvement targets a significant reduction from previous confirmation times, which hovered around ten seconds.
According to TON, the faster confirmation will enable instant payments, more responsive trades, and smoother in-app experiences, especially for Mini Apps. These are lightweight applications operating within Telegram’s environment, which serve over a billion users worldwide.
Statements from TON also indicate that the upgrade was tailored to meet the scale needed for Telegram’s user base. The seamless performance for in-app payments aims to mirror the immediacy of sending a chat message, an essential feature for users managing transactions and interacting with applications on the platform.
In relation to app performance, TON emphasized that earlier confirmation delays limited certain features within Telegram, especially where speed was crucial for trades or app responses. The network suggested that those issues will now be addressed with the latest release.
Connection to Telegram strategy and TON’s roadmap
Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov in 2013, has grown into one of the world’s largest messaging platforms, known for its focus on privacy and innovation. The company’s ongoing partnership with TON allowed it to introduce blockchain-powered Mini Apps and enhanced payment functionalities, keeping Telegram at the forefront of messaging technology.
The upgraded network comes as part of a broader strategic roadmap named MTONGA, which outlines seven technical milestones. Durov described the current release as the first step in this plan, with the ensuing goal set to reduce TON transaction fees considerably, though he did not specify the precise fee change or a launch date.
The journey of TON began in 2018 when Telegram first explored blockchain solutions. After regulatory intervention led to a pause, a community of open-source developers re-established the network as The Open Network in 2022, forming the current decentralized structure that sustains Telegram’s technical ambitions.
As part of the network upgrade, TON noted that higher block rates could lead to increased rewards for validators and enhance incentives for staking. These changes are anticipated to reinforce the economic ecosystem that supports the blockchain’s operations.
While no specific figures were released about revised fee structures, the organization underscored its intention to maintain low costs, which is expected to encourage further adoption of blockchain features within Telegram’s Mini Apps and payment services.
Durov reiterated the broader vision driving the upgrade policy, presenting the speed increase as foundational for applications that require immediate user feedback. This focus aligns with Telegram’s strategy of integrating seamless blockchain functionalities into its expansive messaging platform.
