At first glance, selling such a large amount might seem like a signal of waning interest. In reality, the move is part of a long-term strategy designed to strengthen the token’s ecosystem while maintaining decentralization.
Telegram has consistently built its monetization model around $TON, and the sales are structured to prevent any single entity from controlling too much of the supply.
Why Telegram Sells $TON
Telegram’s core business integrates $TON deeply. Ads, revenue sharing, premium features, gifts, Stars, and other in-app payments all settle through $TON in some form. As the platform grows, it naturally accumulates more tokens from these flows. Holding too much of the circulating supply could risk centralization and undermine the network’s credibility.
Founder Pavel Durov has emphasized this point since 2024. Excess tokens are sold in a controlled, transparent manner to long-term buyers, often with lockups and vesting periods. The goal is to keep Telegram’s share of $TON around ten percent of the total supply. This ensures the network remains decentralized while still allowing Telegram to fund operations and maintain liquidity for its expanding ecosystem.
Yeah but this was already addressed ages ago.
Telegram sells $TON because it has to, not because it wants out. Ads, revenue sharing, minting and upgrading usernames, gifts, Premium, Stars and other in app payments all settle through TON one way or another. As Telegram scales, it… https://t.co/HWFv5bV6sa pic.twitter.com/L2AB1Py13k
— DamX (@0xdamx) January 6, 2026
A real-world example comes from the way Telegram distributes funds from premium subscriptions. When users pay for Telegram Premium, $TON tokens flow into the platform. Instead of holding these tokens indefinitely, Telegram channels some to trusted buyers. This creates a balance between circulating supply and platform accumulation, benefiting both the token economy and its users.
A Trend Toward Token-First Monetization
Telegram’s approach reflects a growing trend among major tech platforms: using native tokens as a central element of monetization. By building payments, tips, and in-app purchases around $TON, Telegram aligns user engagement with the token’s utility. Industry data shows that projects incorporating tokens directly into daily operations often see stronger retention and higher transaction volumes compared with projects treating tokens purely as speculative assets.
telegram sold nearly TEN PERCENT of the current circulating market cap of $ton in 2025 pic.twitter.com/NKYgg4Myoc
— Mike Dudas (@mdudas) January 6, 2026
Telegram’s $TON strategy is far from an exit. On the contrary, deeper integration is planned for 2026, signaling commitment to the token’s long-term success. For investors, this controlled sale model offers clarity and reassurance that the network remains healthy and decentralized. Understanding how $TON functions within Telegram can help users and investors see the token not just as a speculative asset, but as a working piece of a broader, growing digital ecosystem.
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