Telegram Messenger LLC, best known for its cloud-based encrypted messaging app Telegram, today announced that starting today the cryptocurrency Wallet in Telegram will begin to roll out across the United States.

The crypto wallet, developed by The Open Platform, will give millions of U.S. users access to a crypto wallet within Telegram, eliminating the need for users to discover and download plug-ins or browser extensions to access digital assets and cryptocurrencies. It’s integrated directly into the Telegram settings menu and the direct-message interface.

The company offers the service as the TON Wallet, part of The Open Network, which is the official blockchain of Telegram. This launch brings the wallet to U.S. users for the first time; it has been accessible to users in Russia, Asia and Europe for just under two years.

Since it’s natively integrated into the Telegram messaging app, users will be able to store cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Toncoin and others directly within the application. Users will also be able to buy crypto with zero fees using Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank cards.

“We’ve embedded crypto natively into Telegram, not as an add-on, but as part of how people already communicate,” said Andrew Rogozov, chief executive of The Open Platform and Wallet in Telegram. “With Wallet in Telegram, sending digital assets feels as simple as sending a message, no friction, no extra steps. At the same time, users stay in full control of their keys and funds.”

The wallet also allows users to engage digital assets such as stablecoins and Toncoin, the native coin of TON, which will permit users to engage with interest-bearing services. As a result, users will be able to earn money by holding certain digital assets in their wallet over time.

Using MoonPay US LLC’s services, users will also be able to cash out their digital assets directly to U.S. dollars to bank cards.

TOP is the largest developer for Telegram’s blockchain ecosystem, which includes numerous blockchain applications and infrastructure tools for developers. Examples include blockchain games, decentralized finance services, and projects such as lending and trading applications for cryptocurrencies that operate directly within Telegram, most prominently Wallet in Telegram.

The Open Platform recently raised $28.5 million in Series A funding led by Rabbit Capital bringing its valuation to $1 billion.

Telegram is a popular messaging platform, with more than 1 billion users worldwide and an estimated 87 million in the U.S., according to marketing intelligence firm Sensor Tower Inc. Over 100 million users around the world have activated the TON Wallet in 2024 alone and with the U.S. market launch the company expects the number of wallet users to grow significantly.

Photo: Ivan Radic/Flickr