TON Makes Crypto as Easy as Texting
From August 2023 to June 2024, one plain comparison carried TON's wallet into Telegram, through the releases, the press and the posts.
Crypto as easy as texting.
- +485%Toncoin, Aug. 9, 2023, to June 26, 2024Bitcoin: +108%
- $8.17Toncoin's high in this case, June 15, 2024
- 896Wikipedia readers on USDT's launch dayMedian day: 130
At a glance
- One comparison, crypto as easy as texting, ran through the releases, the spokesperson and TON's own launch-day post, which Dennis wrote or approved.
- Toncoin rose 485% from the TON Space release to June 26, 2024, while Bitcoin rose 108%.
- Attention on Wikipedia peaked on USDT's launch day, at 6.9 times a median day.
The launch-day line
Tether put its USDT stablecoin on TON, the blockchain that runs the wallet inside Telegram, on April 19, 20246. TON's own account on X told its followers the news that day. Its post read: "Making cross-border payments INSTANT, FREE, and as EASY as sending a text message for @telegram's 900M users"18. Dennis wrote or approved that post, by his own account. By Oct. 17, 2026, it showed 58,805 likes. CNBC and Bloomberg ran the story on launch day as well78.
That comparison had a history. Ryan Dennis led brand and communications at the TON Foundation. In March 2024, he answered reader questions for the foundation in a sponsored BeInCrypto session. "The first reason you should start using @Wallet is because it is the only wallet in crypto that is as easy as texting," Dennis said5.
This case follows that line across 11 months, from a developer beta in August 2023 to June 2024, when Toncoin reached $8.1713.
A wallet for 800 million people
Wallet in Telegram announced TON Space on Aug. 9, 20231. It was a self-custody wallet, built into the app and open first to developers. The release counted about 800 million monthly Telegram users, and it named Dennis as its contact1. Toncoin traded at $1.28 at 00:00 UTC that day13.
Self-custody asks a lot of a newcomer. You guard your own keys and pay network fees in a token you may hold for the first time. Messaging asks very little, because every Telegram user already knew how to send a text.
The TON Foundation registered in Switzerland as a nonprofit that September2.
One comparison, one number
Dennis built the brand story on one comparison: crypto should feel as easy as texting. It set a standard the product had to meet, and it gave reporters and users a sentence they could repeat in plain words.
He paired the comparison with a goal. The Straits Times quoted him at the wallet's Singapore launch on Sept. 13, 20233. "Almost everybody who works in crypto, for example, has a Telegram account, so it is a platform that is ready for a Web3 experience," Dennis said. The paper reported the foundation's aim: 30% of Telegram's users by 2028.
On X, he kept the target in front of his followers. "Still heading toward 500 million users by 2028 and the vision is becoming clearer before your very eyes," Dennis wrote on Feb. 28, 202421. Twelve days later, Dennis posted the comparison itself: "We are making crypto as easy as texting."23
Eight moments, one line
What did the line look like in public? The same words turned up in the foundation's announcements, in Dennis's posts and in the press. Each moment below sets them side by side.
- TON $1.28
TON Space opens to developers
Wallet in Telegram announces a self-custody wallet inside the app, in a developer beta. Dennis is the contact on the release.1
TON@ton_blockchain 🎉 @wallet_tg unveils #TON Space: a @telegram-integrated self-custodial wallet in developers beta. Elevate your #Web3 journey & take full control over your digital assets. 🔐 #NFT Collectibles & swaps coming in Q3 2023! 🔜 Devs, join the beta now➡️ …
- TON $1.82
The wallet goes live for every user
At Token2049 in Singapore, the wallet opens to Telegram's 800 million users. The Straits Times quotes Dennis the same day.34
TON@ton_blockchain 📣 Major news from #TOKEN2049 - #TON-based @wallet_tg goes live for @telegram's 800 million users, in new integration. 🎉 Let’s celebrate the largest #Web3 onboarding event ever, together! Comment #TONxTelegram, retweet, and scan to get $TON in 2 taps!
Ryan Dennis@xryandennis 1/ I am living my dream every day. On Tuesday, @telegram and @ton_blockchain made a significant announcement that could bring hundreds of millions of users to Web3 and give birth to a new SuperApp. A 🧵 on TON's new integration into Telegram and what it means for everyone.
- The Straits TimesTelegram launches Web3 wallet built on TON blockchain
“Almost everybody who works in crypto, for example, has a Telegram account, so it is a platform that is ready for a Web3 experience.” Ryan Dennis
- TechCrunchTelegram starts to look like a super app, echoing WeChat
- The Straits TimesTelegram launches Web3 wallet built on TON blockchain
- TON $2.16
Telegram will pay creators in Toncoin
Telegram says its ad platform will pay channel owners in Toncoin. Dennis ties the news to the 2028 goal.1721
TON@ton_blockchain "Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov announced today that the company is launching its ad platform next month, allowing channel owners to receive financial rewards. The company will pay out rewards using Toncoin on the TON blockchain." Via @TechCrunch👇
Ryan Dennis@xryandennis Ad revenue + TON crypto in every pocket Still heading toward 500 million users by 2028 and the vision is becoming clearer before your very eyes.
- TON $2.82
The line goes public
Dennis tells BeInCrypto readers the wallet is as easy as texting, then posts the line himself.52223
Ryan Dennis@xryandennis nbd. just chatting with @beincrypto on Telegram about how crypto is now as easy as texting.
Ryan Dennis@xryandennis Building the web3 ecosystem in Telegram is about reality — not potential. We are making crypto as easy as texting. Join us:
- BeInCrypto (sponsored Q&A, Internet Archive copy)TON Foundation X AMA Session With BeInCrypto
“The first reason you should start using @Wallet is because it is the only wallet in crypto that is as easy as texting.” Ryan Dennis
- BeInCrypto (sponsored Q&A, Internet Archive copy)TON Foundation X AMA Session With BeInCrypto
- TON $6.52
USDT launches on TON
Tether puts USDT on TON. TON's account uses the texting comparison, in a post Dennis wrote or approved, and CNBC and Bloomberg run the story. Dennis pitched CNBC, by his own account.67818
TON@ton_blockchain 🔈 @tether’s USDt now available on #TON! Making cross-border payments INSTANT, FREE, and as EASY as sending a text message for @telegram's 900M users. TON Foundation offers 11M $TON in incentives 💸💎 Check out this thread to learn more! 🧵⬇️
Ryan Dennis@xryandennis We're putting crypto in every pocket. Our goal is to see 500 million people proudly owning cryptocurrency by 2028. Join us.
- CNBCMessaging app Telegram to allow Tether stablecoin paymentsDennis pitched this story to CNBC. Dennis’s account
- BloombergTelegram Messaging Service to Allow Tether Stablecoin Payments
- TetherTether Tokens (USD₮ and XAU₮) Launch on The Open Network (TON)
- TON $6.99
Notcoin's airdrop
crypto.news quotes Dennis on Notcoin, a Telegram tap-to-earn game on TON. Tether, the TON Foundation and Oobit announce a payment tie-up.910
- crypto.newsTelegram-based play-to-earn Notcoin airdrop storms social media
“More than just the fastest-growing, most popular game in blockchain history, Notcoin has now become a cultural phenomenon creating one of the largest, most engaged communities in Web3.” Ryan Dennis
- TetherTether Collaborates with TON Foundation and Oobit To Create Seamless Crypto-Payment Solution
- crypto.newsTelegram-based play-to-earn Notcoin airdrop storms social media
- TON $8.17
- TON $7.49
USDT on TON passes 500 million
The Block counts 519.28 million USDT on TON, about two months after launch.11
- The BlockUSDT on TON crosses 500 million
What the numbers did
Toncoin rose 485% from the TON Space release to the campaign's last moment13. It traded at $1.28 on Aug. 9, 2023, and at $7.49 on June 26, 2024. Bitcoin rose 108% over the same days.
Toncoin rose 485% from the TON Space release to June 26, 2024
Price change from Aug. 9, 2023, Toncoin and Bitcoin, daily at 00:00 UTC
Read every day as a table
| Date | TON price | TON change since Aug. 9, 2023 | Bitcoin price | Bitcoin change since Aug. 9, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 26, 2023 | $1.43 | +11.7% | $29,234 | −1.8% |
| July 27, 2023 | $1.36 | +6.3% | $29,351 | −1.4% |
| July 28, 2023 | $1.32 | +3.1% | $29,201 | −1.9% |
| July 29, 2023 | $1.28 | +0.0% | $29,313 | −1.5% |
| July 30, 2023 | $1.20 | −6.3% | $29,357 | −1.3% |
| July 31, 2023 | $1.21 | −5.5% | $29,274 | −1.6% |
| Aug. 1, 2023 | $1.20 | −6.3% | $29,221 | −1.8% |
| Aug. 2, 2023 | $1.20 | −6.3% | $29,583 | −0.6% |
| Aug. 3, 2023 | $1.19 | −7.0% | $29,147 | −2.0% |
| Aug. 4, 2023 | $1.18 | −7.8% | $29,169 | −2.0% |
| Aug. 5, 2023 | $1.20 | −6.3% | $29,087 | −2.2% |
| Aug. 6, 2023 | $1.19 | −7.0% | $29,050 | −2.4% |
| Aug. 7, 2023 | $1.21 | −5.5% | $29,042 | −2.4% |
| Aug. 8, 2023 | $1.20 | −6.3% | $29,182 | −1.9% |
| Aug. 9, 2023 | $1.28 | +0.0% | $29,756 | +0.0% |
| Aug. 10, 2023 | $1.26 | −1.6% | $29,576 | −0.6% |
| Aug. 11, 2023 | $1.26 | −1.6% | $29,428 | −1.1% |
| Aug. 12, 2023 | $1.30 | +1.6% | $29,400 | −1.2% |
| Aug. 13, 2023 | $1.37 | +7.0% | $29,412 | −1.2% |
| Aug. 14, 2023 | $1.40 | +9.4% | $29,280 | −1.6% |
| Aug. 15, 2023 | $1.44 | +12.5% | $29,404 | −1.2% |
| Aug. 16, 2023 | $1.49 | +16.4% | $29,166 | −2.0% |
| Aug. 17, 2023 | $1.40 | +9.4% | $28,713 | −3.5% |
| Aug. 18, 2023 | $1.32 | +3.1% | $26,663 | −10.4% |
| Aug. 19, 2023 | $1.28 | +0.0% | $26,046 | −12.5% |
| Aug. 20, 2023 | $1.35 | +5.5% | $26,080 | −12.4% |
| Aug. 21, 2023 | $1.38 | +7.8% | $26,189 | −12.0% |
| Aug. 22, 2023 | $1.36 | +6.3% | $26,121 | −12.2% |
| Aug. 23, 2023 | $1.38 | +7.8% | $26,028 | −12.5% |
| Aug. 24, 2023 | $1.43 | +11.7% | $26,445 | −11.1% |
| Aug. 25, 2023 | $1.41 | +10.2% | $26,142 | −12.1% |
| Aug. 26, 2023 | $1.43 | +11.7% | $26,048 | −12.5% |
| Aug. 27, 2023 | $1.46 | +14.1% | $26,007 | −12.6% |
| Aug. 28, 2023 | $1.51 | +18.0% | $26,083 | −12.3% |
| Aug. 29, 2023 | $1.52 | +18.8% | $26,109 | −12.3% |
| Aug. 30, 2023 | $1.72 | +34.4% | $27,715 | −6.9% |
| Aug. 31, 2023 | $1.72 | +34.4% | $27,300 | −8.3% |
| Sept. 1, 2023 | $1.75 | +36.7% | $25,928 | −12.9% |
| Sept. 2, 2023 | $1.95 | +52.3% | $25,802 | −13.3% |
| Sept. 3, 2023 | $1.86 | +45.3% | $25,854 | −13.1% |
| Sept. 4, 2023 | $1.89 | +47.7% | $25,972 | −12.7% |
| Sept. 5, 2023 | $1.88 | +46.9% | $25,811 | −13.3% |
| Sept. 6, 2023 | $1.79 | +39.8% | $25,770 | −13.4% |
| Sept. 7, 2023 | $1.82 | +42.2% | $25,749 | −13.5% |
| Sept. 8, 2023 | $1.80 | +40.6% | $26,220 | −11.9% |
| Sept. 9, 2023 | $1.78 | +39.1% | $25,907 | −12.9% |
| Sept. 10, 2023 | $1.77 | +38.3% | $25,890 | −13.0% |
| Sept. 11, 2023 | $1.72 | +34.4% | $25,835 | −13.2% |
| Sept. 12, 2023 | $1.65 | +28.9% | $25,162 | −15.4% |
| Sept. 13, 2023 | $1.82 | +41.8% | $25,850 | −13.1% |
| Sept. 14, 2023 | $1.89 | +47.7% | $26,222 | −11.9% |
| Sept. 15, 2023 | $1.92 | +50.0% | $26,537 | −10.8% |
| Sept. 16, 2023 | $2.11 | +64.8% | $26,611 | −10.6% |
| Sept. 17, 2023 | $2.40 | +87.5% | $26,553 | −10.8% |
| Sept. 18, 2023 | $2.32 | +81.2% | $26,538 | −10.8% |
| Sept. 19, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.7% | $26,753 | −10.1% |
| Sept. 20, 2023 | $2.57 | +100.8% | $27,214 | −8.5% |
| Sept. 21, 2023 | $2.40 | +87.5% | $27,126 | −8.8% |
| Sept. 22, 2023 | $2.36 | +84.4% | $26,566 | −10.7% |
| Sept. 23, 2023 | $2.29 | +78.9% | $26,572 | −10.7% |
| Sept. 24, 2023 | $2.30 | +79.7% | $26,569 | −10.7% |
| Sept. 25, 2023 | $2.19 | +71.1% | $26,258 | −11.8% |
| Sept. 26, 2023 | $2.14 | +67.2% | $26,297 | −11.6% |
| Sept. 27, 2023 | $2.11 | +64.8% | $26,214 | −11.9% |
| Sept. 28, 2023 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $26,348 | −11.5% |
| Sept. 29, 2023 | $2.24 | +75.0% | $27,017 | −9.2% |
| Sept. 30, 2023 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $26,907 | −9.6% |
| Oct. 1, 2023 | $2.11 | +64.6% | $26,966 | −9.4% |
| Oct. 2, 2023 | $2.13 | +66.4% | $27,974 | −6.0% |
| Oct. 3, 2023 | $2.02 | +57.8% | $27,504 | −7.6% |
| Oct. 4, 2023 | $2.04 | +59.4% | $27,425 | −7.8% |
| Oct. 5, 2023 | $1.95 | +52.3% | $27,782 | −6.6% |
| Oct. 6, 2023 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $27,408 | −7.9% |
| Oct. 7, 2023 | $2.14 | +67.2% | $27,955 | −6.1% |
| Oct. 8, 2023 | $2.06 | +60.9% | $27,970 | −6.0% |
| Oct. 9, 2023 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $27,939 | −6.1% |
| Oct. 10, 2023 | $1.98 | +54.7% | $27,587 | −7.3% |
| Oct. 11, 2023 | $2.00 | +56.3% | $27,390 | −8.0% |
| Oct. 12, 2023 | $1.99 | +55.5% | $26,862 | −9.7% |
| Oct. 13, 2023 | $1.93 | +50.8% | $26,759 | −10.1% |
| Oct. 14, 2023 | $1.94 | +51.6% | $26,860 | −9.7% |
| Oct. 15, 2023 | $1.92 | +50.0% | $26,860 | −9.7% |
| Oct. 16, 2023 | $1.92 | +50.0% | $27,150 | −8.8% |
| Oct. 17, 2023 | $1.96 | +53.1% | $28,524 | −4.1% |
| Oct. 18, 2023 | $2.10 | +64.1% | $28,416 | −4.5% |
| Oct. 19, 2023 | $2.05 | +59.8% | $28,328 | −4.8% |
| Oct. 20, 2023 | $2.07 | +61.7% | $28,723 | −3.5% |
| Oct. 21, 2023 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $29,677 | −0.3% |
| Oct. 22, 2023 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $29,919 | +0.5% |
| Oct. 23, 2023 | $2.19 | +71.1% | $29,990 | +0.8% |
| Oct. 24, 2023 | $2.18 | +70.3% | $32,958 | +10.8% |
| Oct. 25, 2023 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $33,846 | +13.7% |
| Oct. 26, 2023 | $2.14 | +67.0% | $34,498 | +15.9% |
| Oct. 27, 2023 | $2.13 | +66.4% | $34,161 | +14.8% |
| Oct. 28, 2023 | $2.06 | +60.9% | $33,907 | +14.0% |
| Oct. 29, 2023 | $2.04 | +59.4% | $34,082 | +14.5% |
| Oct. 30, 2023 | $2.07 | +61.7% | $34,535 | +16.1% |
| Oct. 31, 2023 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $34,495 | +15.9% |
| Nov. 1, 2023 | $2.22 | +73.4% | $34,669 | +16.5% |
| Nov. 2, 2023 | $2.21 | +72.7% | $35,422 | +19.0% |
| Nov. 3, 2023 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $34,937 | +17.4% |
| Nov. 4, 2023 | $2.26 | +76.6% | $34,725 | +16.7% |
| Nov. 5, 2023 | $2.24 | +75.0% | $35,079 | +17.9% |
| Nov. 6, 2023 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $35,038 | +17.8% |
| Nov. 7, 2023 | $2.44 | +90.6% | $35,042 | +17.8% |
| Nov. 8, 2023 | $2.54 | +98.4% | $35,442 | +19.1% |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | $2.68 | +109.4% | $35,634 | +19.8% |
| Nov. 10, 2023 | $2.47 | +93.0% | $36,697 | +23.3% |
| Nov. 11, 2023 | $2.46 | +92.2% | $37,319 | +25.4% |
| Nov. 12, 2023 | $2.36 | +84.4% | $37,135 | +24.8% |
| Nov. 13, 2023 | $2.48 | +93.8% | $37,068 | +24.6% |
| Nov. 14, 2023 | $2.34 | +82.8% | $36,500 | +22.7% |
| Nov. 15, 2023 | $2.25 | +75.8% | $35,527 | +19.4% |
| Nov. 16, 2023 | $2.40 | +87.5% | $37,923 | +27.4% |
| Nov. 17, 2023 | $2.28 | +78.1% | $36,161 | +21.5% |
| Nov. 18, 2023 | $2.33 | +82.0% | $36,556 | +22.9% |
| Nov. 19, 2023 | $2.37 | +85.2% | $36,588 | +23.0% |
| Nov. 20, 2023 | $2.37 | +85.2% | $37,388 | +25.6% |
| Nov. 21, 2023 | $2.32 | +81.2% | $37,480 | +26.0% |
| Nov. 22, 2023 | $2.30 | +79.7% | $35,788 | +20.3% |
| Nov. 23, 2023 | $2.40 | +87.5% | $37,427 | +25.8% |
| Nov. 24, 2023 | $2.42 | +89.1% | $37,302 | +25.4% |
| Nov. 25, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.8% | $37,731 | +26.8% |
| Nov. 26, 2023 | $2.37 | +85.2% | $37,798 | +27.0% |
| Nov. 27, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.5% | $37,492 | +26.0% |
| Nov. 28, 2023 | $2.44 | +90.6% | $37,250 | +25.2% |
| Nov. 29, 2023 | $2.44 | +90.6% | $37,844 | +27.2% |
| Nov. 30, 2023 | $2.41 | +88.3% | $37,852 | +27.2% |
| Dec. 1, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.7% | $37,710 | +26.7% |
| Dec. 2, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.7% | $38,690 | +30.0% |
| Dec. 3, 2023 | $2.44 | +90.6% | $39,472 | +32.7% |
| Dec. 4, 2023 | $2.42 | +89.1% | $40,002 | +34.4% |
| Dec. 5, 2023 | $2.39 | +86.7% | $41,985 | +41.1% |
| Dec. 6, 2023 | $2.42 | +89.1% | $44,087 | +48.2% |
| Dec. 7, 2023 | $2.24 | +75.0% | $43,757 | +47.1% |
| Dec. 8, 2023 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $43,289 | +45.5% |
| Dec. 9, 2023 | $2.33 | +82.0% | $44,154 | +48.4% |
| Dec. 10, 2023 | $2.31 | +80.5% | $43,707 | +46.9% |
| Dec. 11, 2023 | $2.30 | +79.7% | $43,785 | +47.1% |
| Dec. 12, 2023 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $41,262 | +38.7% |
| Dec. 13, 2023 | $2.06 | +60.8% | $41,458 | +39.3% |
| Dec. 14, 2023 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $42,891 | +44.1% |
| Dec. 15, 2023 | $2.20 | +72.0% | $43,032 | +44.6% |
| Dec. 16, 2023 | $2.09 | +63.3% | $41,890 | +40.8% |
| Dec. 17, 2023 | $2.18 | +70.3% | $42,247 | +42.0% |
| Dec. 18, 2023 | $2.14 | +67.2% | $41,380 | +39.1% |
| Dec. 19, 2023 | $2.10 | +64.1% | $42,610 | +43.2% |
| Dec. 20, 2023 | $2.14 | +67.2% | $42,278 | +42.1% |
| Dec. 21, 2023 | $2.20 | +71.9% | $43,660 | +46.7% |
| Dec. 22, 2023 | $2.25 | +75.8% | $43,875 | +47.4% |
| Dec. 23, 2023 | $2.26 | +76.6% | $43,994 | +47.8% |
| Dec. 24, 2023 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $43,737 | +47.0% |
| Dec. 25, 2023 | $2.20 | +71.9% | $43,013 | +44.6% |
| Dec. 26, 2023 | $2.22 | +73.4% | $43,587 | +46.5% |
| Dec. 27, 2023 | $2.18 | +70.3% | $42,509 | +42.9% |
| Dec. 28, 2023 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $43,460 | +46.1% |
| Dec. 29, 2023 | $2.19 | +71.1% | $42,607 | +43.2% |
| Dec. 30, 2023 | $2.24 | +75.0% | $42,097 | +41.5% |
| Dec. 31, 2023 | $2.36 | +84.4% | $42,196 | +41.8% |
| Jan. 1, 2024 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $42,261 | +42.0% |
| Jan. 2, 2024 | $2.33 | +82.0% | $44,147 | +48.4% |
| Jan. 3, 2024 | $2.25 | +75.8% | $44,952 | +51.1% |
| Jan. 4, 2024 | $2.19 | +71.1% | $42,859 | +44.0% |
| Jan. 5, 2024 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $44,164 | +48.4% |
| Jan. 6, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $44,171 | +48.4% |
| Jan. 7, 2024 | $2.17 | +69.5% | $43,982 | +47.8% |
| Jan. 8, 2024 | $2.21 | +72.7% | $43,954 | +47.7% |
| Jan. 9, 2024 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $46,968 | +57.8% |
| Jan. 10, 2024 | $2.19 | +71.1% | $46,132 | +55.0% |
| Jan. 11, 2024 | $2.26 | +76.6% | $46,632 | +56.7% |
| Jan. 12, 2024 | $2.23 | +74.1% | $46,396 | +55.9% |
| Jan. 13, 2024 | $2.13 | +66.4% | $42,870 | +44.1% |
| Jan. 14, 2024 | $2.11 | +64.8% | $42,848 | +44.0% |
| Jan. 15, 2024 | $2.28 | +78.1% | $41,801 | +40.5% |
| Jan. 16, 2024 | $2.44 | +90.6% | $42,525 | +42.9% |
| Jan. 17, 2024 | $2.42 | +89.1% | $43,136 | +45.0% |
| Jan. 18, 2024 | $2.33 | +82.0% | $42,749 | +43.7% |
| Jan. 19, 2024 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $41,261 | +38.7% |
| Jan. 20, 2024 | $2.20 | +71.9% | $41,624 | +39.9% |
| Jan. 21, 2024 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $41,646 | +40.0% |
| Jan. 22, 2024 | $2.22 | +73.4% | $41,538 | +39.6% |
| Jan. 23, 2024 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $39,502 | +32.8% |
| Jan. 24, 2024 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $39,846 | +33.9% |
| Jan. 25, 2024 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $40,078 | +34.7% |
| Jan. 26, 2024 | $2.04 | +59.4% | $39,918 | +34.2% |
| Jan. 27, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $41,863 | +40.7% |
| Jan. 28, 2024 | $2.09 | +63.3% | $42,120 | +41.6% |
| Jan. 29, 2024 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $42,037 | +41.3% |
| Jan. 30, 2024 | $2.11 | +64.8% | $43,286 | +45.5% |
| Jan. 31, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $42,949 | +44.3% |
| Feb. 1, 2024 | $2.07 | +61.7% | $42,572 | +43.1% |
| Feb. 2, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $43,069 | +44.7% |
| Feb. 3, 2024 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $43,173 | +45.1% |
| Feb. 4, 2024 | $2.04 | +59.4% | $42,991 | +44.5% |
| Feb. 5, 2024 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $42,567 | +43.1% |
| Feb. 6, 2024 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $42,651 | +43.3% |
| Feb. 7, 2024 | $2.05 | +60.2% | $43,086 | +44.8% |
| Feb. 8, 2024 | $2.06 | +60.9% | $44,314 | +48.9% |
| Feb. 9, 2024 | $2.07 | +61.7% | $45,306 | +52.3% |
| Feb. 10, 2024 | $2.09 | +63.3% | $47,151 | +58.5% |
| Feb. 11, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $47,766 | +60.5% |
| Feb. 12, 2024 | $2.09 | +63.3% | $48,286 | +62.3% |
| Feb. 13, 2024 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $49,962 | +67.9% |
| Feb. 14, 2024 | $2.17 | +69.5% | $49,758 | +67.2% |
| Feb. 15, 2024 | $2.22 | +73.4% | $51,821 | +74.2% |
| Feb. 16, 2024 | $2.21 | +72.7% | $51,928 | +74.5% |
| Feb. 17, 2024 | $2.20 | +71.9% | $52,166 | +75.3% |
| Feb. 18, 2024 | $2.23 | +74.2% | $51,666 | +73.6% |
| Feb. 19, 2024 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $52,113 | +75.1% |
| Feb. 20, 2024 | $2.27 | +77.3% | $51,786 | +74.0% |
| Feb. 21, 2024 | $2.21 | +72.7% | $52,287 | +75.7% |
| Feb. 22, 2024 | $2.12 | +65.6% | $51,859 | +74.3% |
| Feb. 23, 2024 | $2.09 | +63.3% | $51,308 | +72.4% |
| Feb. 24, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $50,748 | +70.5% |
| Feb. 25, 2024 | $2.11 | +64.8% | $51,562 | +73.3% |
| Feb. 26, 2024 | $2.08 | +62.5% | $51,724 | +73.8% |
| Feb. 27, 2024 | $2.14 | +67.2% | $54,508 | +83.2% |
| Feb. 28, 2024 | $2.16 | +68.8% | $57,050 | +91.7% |
| Feb. 29, 2024 | $2.51 | +96.1% | $62,518 | +110.1% |
| March 1, 2024 | $2.48 | +93.8% | $61,184 | +105.6% |
| March 2, 2024 | $2.71 | +111.7% | $62,417 | +109.8% |
| March 3, 2024 | $2.72 | +112.5% | $62,038 | +108.5% |
| March 4, 2024 | $2.68 | +109.4% | $63,169 | +112.3% |
| March 5, 2024 | $2.74 | +114.1% | $68,357 | +129.7% |
| March 6, 2024 | $2.59 | +102.3% | $63,783 | +114.4% |
| March 7, 2024 | $2.68 | +109.4% | $66,125 | +122.2% |
| March 8, 2024 | $2.75 | +114.8% | $66,949 | +125.0% |
| March 9, 2024 | $2.84 | +121.9% | $68,329 | +129.6% |
| March 10, 2024 | $2.87 | +124.2% | $68,480 | +130.1% |
| March 11, 2024 | $2.82 | +120.3% | $69,056 | +132.1% |
| March 12, 2024 | $3.30 | +157.8% | $72,111 | +142.3% |
| March 13, 2024 | $4.07 | +218.0% | $71,443 | +140.1% |
| March 14, 2024 | $4.32 | +237.5% | $73,091 | +145.6% |
| March 15, 2024 | $4.03 | +214.8% | $71,440 | +140.1% |
| March 16, 2024 | $3.89 | +203.9% | $69,440 | +133.4% |
| March 17, 2024 | $3.53 | +175.8% | $65,262 | +119.3% |
| March 18, 2024 | $3.86 | +201.6% | $68,431 | +130.0% |
| March 19, 2024 | $3.83 | +199.2% | $67,603 | +127.2% |
| March 20, 2024 | $3.79 | +196.1% | $61,866 | +107.9% |
| March 21, 2024 | $4.23 | +230.5% | $67,876 | +128.1% |
| March 22, 2024 | $4.06 | +217.2% | $65,464 | +120.0% |
| March 23, 2024 | $4.44 | +246.9% | $63,596 | +113.7% |
| March 24, 2024 | $4.82 | +276.6% | $64,023 | +115.2% |
| March 25, 2024 | $4.97 | +288.3% | $67,246 | +126.0% |
| March 26, 2024 | $5.36 | +318.8% | $69,946 | +135.1% |
| March 27, 2024 | $5.04 | +293.8% | $70,004 | +135.3% |
| March 28, 2024 | $4.97 | +288.3% | $69,493 | +133.5% |
| March 29, 2024 | $4.90 | +282.8% | $70,744 | +137.7% |
| March 30, 2024 | $5.02 | +292.2% | $69,903 | +134.9% |
| March 31, 2024 | $5.26 | +310.9% | $69,622 | +134.0% |
| April 1, 2024 | $5.42 | +323.4% | $71,247 | +139.4% |
| April 2, 2024 | $5.34 | +317.2% | $69,674 | +134.2% |
| April 3, 2024 | $4.86 | +279.4% | $65,452 | +120.0% |
| April 4, 2024 | $4.97 | +288.3% | $65,978 | +121.7% |
| April 5, 2024 | $5.09 | +297.7% | $68,542 | +130.3% |
| April 6, 2024 | $5.33 | +316.4% | $67,862 | +128.1% |
| April 7, 2024 | $5.48 | +328.1% | $68,896 | +131.5% |
| April 8, 2024 | $5.37 | +319.3% | $69,375 | +133.1% |
| April 9, 2024 | $6.35 | +396.1% | $71,620 | +140.7% |
| April 10, 2024 | $6.70 | +423.4% | $69,112 | +132.3% |
| April 11, 2024 | $6.77 | +428.9% | $70,529 | +137.0% |
| April 12, 2024 | $7.27 | +468.0% | $70,121 | +135.7% |
| April 13, 2024 | $6.67 | +421.1% | $67,197 | +125.8% |
| April 14, 2024 | $5.97 | +366.4% | $63,957 | +114.9% |
| April 15, 2024 | $6.75 | +427.3% | $65,658 | +120.7% |
| April 16, 2024 | $6.56 | +412.3% | $63,409 | +113.1% |
| April 17, 2024 | $6.34 | +395.6% | $63,701 | +114.1% |
| April 18, 2024 | $6.08 | +375.0% | $61,272 | +105.9% |
| April 19, 2024 | $6.52 | +409.3% | $63,517 | +113.5% |
| April 20, 2024 | $6.06 | +373.4% | $64,001 | +115.1% |
| April 21, 2024 | $6.21 | +385.2% | $64,905 | +118.1% |
| April 22, 2024 | $6.14 | +379.5% | $64,919 | +118.2% |
| April 23, 2024 | $5.94 | +364.1% | $66,842 | +124.6% |
| April 24, 2024 | $5.71 | +345.7% | $66,432 | +123.3% |
| April 25, 2024 | $5.55 | +333.6% | $64,280 | +116.0% |
| April 26, 2024 | $5.41 | +322.7% | $64,496 | +116.7% |
| April 27, 2024 | $5.34 | +317.2% | $63,797 | +114.4% |
| April 28, 2024 | $5.41 | +322.7% | $63,439 | +113.2% |
| April 29, 2024 | $5.41 | +322.9% | $63,133 | +112.2% |
| April 30, 2024 | $5.31 | +314.8% | $63,827 | +114.5% |
| May 1, 2024 | $5.16 | +303.1% | $60,741 | +104.1% |
| May 2, 2024 | $4.89 | +281.7% | $58,175 | +95.5% |
| May 3, 2024 | $5.14 | +301.3% | $59,102 | +98.6% |
| May 4, 2024 | $5.69 | +344.5% | $62,889 | +111.3% |
| May 5, 2024 | $5.75 | +348.9% | $63,917 | +114.8% |
| May 6, 2024 | $5.97 | +366.4% | $63,995 | +115.1% |
| May 7, 2024 | $5.78 | +351.6% | $63,159 | +112.3% |
| May 8, 2024 | $5.68 | +343.8% | $62,333 | +109.5% |
| May 9, 2024 | $5.77 | +350.8% | $61,190 | +105.6% |
| May 10, 2024 | $6.39 | +399.2% | $63,076 | +112.0% |
| May 11, 2024 | $6.77 | +428.9% | $60,764 | +104.2% |
| May 12, 2024 | $6.89 | +438.3% | $60,785 | +104.3% |
| May 13, 2024 | $6.95 | +443.0% | $61,473 | +106.6% |
| May 14, 2024 | $7.03 | +449.2% | $62,905 | +111.4% |
| May 15, 2024 | $6.85 | +434.8% | $61,540 | +106.8% |
| May 16, 2024 | $6.99 | +446.1% | $66,229 | +122.6% |
| May 17, 2024 | $6.77 | +428.5% | $65,216 | +119.2% |
| May 18, 2024 | $6.62 | +417.1% | $67,059 | +125.4% |
| May 19, 2024 | $6.40 | +400.0% | $66,940 | +125.0% |
| May 20, 2024 | $6.25 | +388.3% | $66,273 | +122.7% |
| May 21, 2024 | $6.55 | +411.7% | $71,430 | +140.1% |
| May 22, 2024 | $6.32 | +393.8% | $70,126 | +135.7% |
| May 23, 2024 | $6.53 | +409.9% | $69,125 | +132.3% |
| May 24, 2024 | $6.20 | +384.5% | $67,907 | +128.2% |
| May 25, 2024 | $6.39 | +399.2% | $68,517 | +130.3% |
| May 26, 2024 | $6.38 | +398.4% | $69,268 | +132.8% |
| May 27, 2024 | $6.31 | +393.2% | $68,509 | +130.2% |
| May 28, 2024 | $6.39 | +399.2% | $69,401 | +133.2% |
| May 29, 2024 | $6.46 | +404.4% | $68,293 | +129.5% |
| May 30, 2024 | $6.50 | +407.8% | $67,567 | +127.1% |
| May 31, 2024 | $6.46 | +404.7% | $68,370 | +129.8% |
| June 1, 2024 | $6.34 | +395.3% | $67,506 | +126.9% |
| June 2, 2024 | $6.29 | +391.8% | $67,727 | +127.6% |
| June 3, 2024 | $6.81 | +432.0% | $67,740 | +127.7% |
| June 4, 2024 | $6.82 | +432.4% | $68,810 | +131.2% |
| June 5, 2024 | $7.30 | +470.0% | $70,542 | +137.1% |
| June 6, 2024 | $7.20 | +462.5% | $71,054 | +138.8% |
| June 7, 2024 | $7.53 | +488.5% | $70,774 | +137.8% |
| June 8, 2024 | $7.21 | +463.3% | $69,339 | +133.0% |
| June 9, 2024 | $7.01 | +447.7% | $69,309 | +132.9% |
| June 10, 2024 | $7.11 | +455.6% | $69,653 | +134.1% |
| June 11, 2024 | $7.23 | +464.5% | $69,493 | +133.5% |
| June 12, 2024 | $6.94 | +442.2% | $67,326 | +126.3% |
| June 13, 2024 | $7.45 | +482.0% | $68,250 | +129.4% |
| June 14, 2024 | $7.74 | +504.7% | $66,746 | +124.3% |
| June 15, 2024 | $8.17 | +538.3% | $66,012 | +121.8% |
| June 16, 2024 | $7.92 | +518.8% | $66,188 | +122.4% |
| June 17, 2024 | $7.94 | +520.3% | $66,642 | +124.0% |
| June 18, 2024 | $7.70 | +501.2% | $66,478 | +123.4% |
| June 19, 2024 | $7.12 | +456.3% | $65,159 | +119.0% |
| June 20, 2024 | $6.95 | +443.0% | $64,962 | +118.3% |
| June 21, 2024 | $7.14 | +457.8% | $64,838 | +117.9% |
| June 22, 2024 | $7.10 | +454.7% | $64,070 | +115.3% |
| June 23, 2024 | $7.34 | +473.4% | $64,260 | +116.0% |
| June 24, 2024 | $7.50 | +486.1% | $63,161 | +112.3% |
| June 25, 2024 | $7.49 | +485.3% | $60,256 | +102.5% |
| June 26, 2024 | $7.49 | +485.2% | $61,817 | +107.7% |
The campaign had three fast stretches. From the release to Sept. 30, 2023, Toncoin rose 69% while Bitcoin fell 10%13. Between Feb. 28 and April 19, 2024, Toncoin rose 202%, against 11% for Bitcoin. After USDT's launch, Toncoin climbed another 25% to its campaign high of $8.17 on June 15. Bitcoin rose 4%.
Toncoin rose 202% from Feb. 28 to April 19, 2024, against 11% for Bitcoin
Price change over three stretches of the campaign, in percent, at 00:00 UTC each day
- Toncoin
- Bitcoin
Source: DefiLlama [13].
Read the chart as a table
| Item | Toncoin | Bitcoin |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 9 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 69% | −10% |
| Feb. 28 to Apr. 19, 2024 | 202% | 11% |
| Apr. 19 to June 15, 2024 | 25% | 4% |
Adoption grew too. TON Stat counted 64,330 active wallets on Aug. 31, 2023, and 3,740,731 on July 31, 2024, about 58 times as many12. USDT on TON passed 500 million in about two months, and The Block counted 519.28 million on June 26, 202411.
Public attention peaked on launch days. Wikipedia's article on The Open Network drew 896 readers on April 19, 202414. Its median day in the campaign drew 130. Earlier moments drew fewer: 133 readers on Sept. 13, 2023, and 335 on Feb. 28, 2024. Notcoin's airdrop day, May 16, drew 638. Toncoin's high on June 15 drew 541.
Wikipedia's TON article drew 896 readers on USDT's launch day, April 19, 2024
Readers of the English Wikipedia article on The Open Network on campaign days, against its median day
Source: Wikimedia [14].
Read the chart as a table
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Median day, Aug. 2023 to June 2024 | 130 readers |
| Sept. 13, 2023: wallet goes live | 133 readers |
| Feb. 28, 2024: ad revenue news | 335 readers |
| April 19, 2024: USDT launches | 896 readers |
| May 16, 2024: Notcoin airdrop | 638 readers |
| June 15, 2024: Toncoin's high | 541 readers |
Behind the scenes
Four choices stand out in the public record. Each one is a communications decision, and each left a visible trace.
- One comparison anyone could repeat. Texting needs zero explanation. TON's own account used it on USDT's launch day, in a post Dennis wrote or approved18.
- A goal with a date. Thirty percent of Telegram's users, or 500 million people, by 2028324.
- Same day, same words. The foundation, its spokesperson and the press carried each launch within hours7818.
- Business press first. Dennis pitched the USDT launch to CNBC, by his own account7.
His public part shows in the sources. Dennis was the contact on the TON Space release1. The Straits Times, BeInCrypto and crypto.news quoted him359. In May, crypto.news quoted his read on Notcoin. "More than just the fastest-growing, most popular game in blockchain history, Notcoin has now become a cultural phenomenon creating one of the largest, most engaged communities in Web3," Dennis said9.
What the record leaves open
Prices move for many reasons, and Bitcoin rose 108% across the same 11 months13. Telegram's reach, Tether's launch and games such as Notcoin and Hamster Kombat drew users of their own919. The record shows timing, and the cause stays with the reader.
Which moments would have happened anyway? Telegram chose TON for its wallet. Tether chose to launch there. The communications work shaped how the press and the public heard those choices, in the same words, on the same days.
Questions for discussion
- Why does a comparison to texting reach a mass audience faster than a technical description?
- What should a foundation measure to judge a narrative: wallets, coverage, attention or price?
- Which risks come with a brand story told during a price run?
- You lead TON's communications in July 2024. Write the next line.
The full case, as a PDF
Take it to the meeting.
A print edition with the exhibits, the sources and discussion questions. Leave an email and the download starts.
Sources
- 1. Finbold (Chainwire release), “Introducing TON Space – Self-Custody Wallet in Telegram, Available to Developers Now,” Aug. 9, 2023.
- 2. Chainwire, “TON Foundation Founded in Switzerland as a Non-Profit Organization,” Sept. 6, 2023.
- 3. The Straits Times, “Telegram launches Web3 wallet built on TON blockchain,” Sept. 13, 2023.
- 4. TechCrunch, “Telegram starts to look like a super app, echoing WeChat,” Sept. 25, 2023.
- 5. BeInCrypto (sponsored Q&A, Internet Archive copy), “TON Foundation X AMA Session With BeInCrypto,” March 1, 2024.
- 6. Tether, “Tether Tokens (USD₮ and XAU₮) Launch on The Open Network (TON),” April 19, 2024.
- 7. CNBC, “Messaging app Telegram to allow Tether stablecoin payments,” April 19, 2024.
- 8. Bloomberg, “Telegram Messaging Service to Allow Tether Stablecoin Payments,” April 19, 2024.
- 9. crypto.news, “Telegram-based play-to-earn Notcoin airdrop storms social media,” May 16, 2024.
- 10. Tether, “Tether Collaborates with TON Foundation and Oobit To Create Seamless Crypto-Payment Solution,” May 16, 2024.
- 11. The Block, “USDT on TON crosses 500 million,” June 26, 2024.
- 12. TON Stat, “Active wallets, daily.”
- 13. DefiLlama, “Coins chart, daily series, TON and Bitcoin, at 00:00 UTC,” Oct. 17, 2026.
- 14. Wikimedia, “Daily pageviews, The Open Network, English Wikipedia,” Oct. 17, 2026.
- 15. TON (@ton_blockchain) on X, “@wallet_tg unveils #TON Space,” Aug. 9, 2023.
- 16. TON (@ton_blockchain) on X, “Major news from #TOKEN2049,” Sept. 13, 2023.
- 17. TON (@ton_blockchain) on X, “Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov announced today,” Feb. 28, 2024.
- 18. TON (@ton_blockchain) on X, “@tether's USDt now available on #TON!,” April 19, 2024.
- 19. TON (@ton_blockchain) on X, “@hamster_kombat coming to #TON!,” June 12, 2024.
- 20. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “1/ I am living my dream every day,” Sept. 15, 2023.
- 21. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “Ad revenue + TON crypto in every pocket,” Feb. 28, 2024.
- 22. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “just chatting with @beincrypto on Telegram,” March 4, 2024.
- 23. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “We are making crypto as easy as texting,” March 11, 2024.
- 24. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “We're putting crypto in every pocket,” April 1, 2024.
- 25. Ryan Dennis (@xryandennis) on X, “Fun to earn is here on TON,” June 13, 2024.