The path to mass blockchain adoption has long been a puzzle—until now. With TON (The Open Network) and Telegram forming one of the most seamless bridges between Web2 convenience and Web3 innovation, a realistic roadmap to global crypto integration is finally emerging.
Odaily recently sat down with Max Crown, the newly appointed CEO of the TON Foundation, for an exclusive conversation. A seasoned leader with deep experience in fintech and regulatory strategy, Crown shares his vision for TON’s role in mainstreaming Web3, reveals strategic plans for deeper Telegram integration, and hints at major developments on the horizon—particularly in the United States.
From Fintech Veteran to Web3 Visionary
Odaily: What drew you to TON, and what excites you most about this role?
Max Crown: What pulled me in was TON’s real potential to onboard the next billion users into crypto—not as a theoretical idea, but as something tangible and achievable. I’ve spent years navigating fintech and regulatory landscapes, and one thing became clear: many blockchain platforms are technically impressive, but they’re not built for everyday people. TON is different because of its integration with Telegram. That means we can bring blockchain into daily life at scale. Leading that kind of transformation—solving real usability problems—is what truly excites me.
Odaily: What’s your long-term vision for TON under your leadership?
Max Crown: My goal is simple: I want people to use blockchain every day without even realizing it. Whether it’s sending money, accessing digital services, or playing games—it should all feel natural. Our ultimate mission is to make TON the foundational infrastructure for the next generation of internet applications: secure, decentralized, and accessible to everyone.
Odaily: What do you see as the biggest challenge since taking over?
Max Crown: The main challenge lies in balancing two worlds—the decentralized, open-source developer community and a fast-moving, centralized platform like Telegram. But this tension also creates opportunity. It pushes us to refine coordination models, improve tools like TON Connect, and deliver smoother experiences for both developers and end users.
Building the Future: TON + Telegram Ecosystem
Odaily: What excites you most about the current and future state of TON and Telegram?
Max Crown: It’s all about scale. How often do you get to build on an infrastructure already embedded in an app with over a billion users? Telegram gives TON instant access to a massive audience—that changes everything. I’m especially excited by how smooth blockchain experiences have become, from Mini Apps to Toncoin payments. Bringing non-crypto natives into Web3 has never been easier.
Odaily: What will the “super app” version of Telegram + TON look like in a few years?
Max Crown: Imagine a world where you don’t need 10 separate apps for finance, digital assets, or decentralized services. Everything happens inside Telegram. You could book a service, tip a creator, trade assets, play games, or send money—all within a single chat thread. That’s the vision, and we’re much closer to it than most people realize.
Odaily: What are some upcoming milestones we should watch for?
Max Crown: Key priorities include expanding the Mini Apps ecosystem, boosting developer incentives, enhancing the user experience of TON Connect, and launching new workchains to improve scalability. And yes—we’re preparing for a significant push in the United States.
Differentiation in a Crowded Market
Odaily: How would you differentiate TON from other Layer 1 blockchains in 2025?
Max Crown: We’re not just competing to be the best blockchain for crypto-native users—we’re building for everyday global users. That’s a fundamentally different approach. While most blockchains focus on capturing existing Web3 audiences, we’re creating new ones by embedding blockchain directly into Telegram, an app already used by more than a billion people. It’s not just about size—it’s about distribution, onboarding, and user experience combined.
Odaily: What are the foundation’s top strategic priorities right now?
Max Crown: Three things: scale, simplify, support. We’re scaling infrastructure to match growth, simplifying onboarding through TON Connect and the Telegram wallet, and expanding developer support via grants, documentation, and ecosystem initiatives. Our goal is to make building easier and adoption smoother.
Odaily: How do you plan to sustain the momentum from the recent Mini App surge?
Max Crown: Momentum comes from results. We’ve grown from 4 million to over 40 million users. Now it’s time to turn that excitement into lasting engagement. That means deepening Telegram integration, launching real-world use cases, and maintaining a rapid pace of innovation—not just technically, but in user experience too.
The Power of Distribution: Lessons from Mini Apps
Odaily: What have you learned from the Telegram Mini App boom?
Max Crown: The biggest lesson? Distribution matters more than complex features. Mini Apps showed us that when developers can reach a massive audience directly—and users can engage without complex setups—adoption accelerates exponentially. That’s why many TON-based apps grow faster than traditional Web3 dApps.
Odaily: How will deeper Toncoin integration with Telegram drive adoption?
Max Crown: The impact will be huge. When users can earn and spend Toncoin as easily as any other digital currency—within an app they already trust—barriers vanish. Whether tipping creators or paying for services, Toncoin becomes part of daily interaction, not a separate financial instrument.
Navigating Global Regulation
Odaily: How do you approach global regulatory compliance?
Max Crown: My philosophy from MoonPay still holds: don’t wait for regulators—proactively engage. That means transparency, supporting compliance tools, and maintaining open dialogue with authorities. With the U.S. administration showing increased openness toward crypto, we’re preparing to align with any emerging frameworks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is TON’s relationship with Telegram?
A: TON is an independent blockchain network developed in parallel with Telegram’s original vision. While technically separate, it’s now deeply integrated into Telegram through features like Mini Apps, TON Wallet, and Toncoin payments—making it a core part of Telegram’s ecosystem.
Q: Is Toncoin officially backed by Telegram?
A: While Telegram supports the integration of Toncoin within its app ecosystem, Toncoin itself is managed by the independent TON Foundation. The collaboration enables seamless usage but does not imply direct corporate ownership.
Q: Can developers build on TON without prior blockchain experience?
A: Yes. Thanks to tools like TON Connect and comprehensive documentation, developers—even those new to blockchain—can create powerful applications integrated with Telegram’s user base.
Q: How does TON handle scalability compared to other blockchains?
A: TON uses a unique multi-blockchain architecture with dynamic sharding and infinite sharding capabilities, allowing it to process millions of transactions per second while maintaining low fees and fast finality.
Q: What makes TON different from other “Web3 social” projects?
A: Unlike experimental platforms trying to build user bases from scratch, TON leverages Telegram’s existing billion-user network—giving it immediate scale, real-world utility, and organic growth potential unmatched in the space.
Q: Are there plans for U.S.-based developer programs or grants?
A: With preparations underway for expanded U.S. operations, developer funding programs tailored to American innovators are expected to launch soon as part of broader ecosystem growth efforts.
A New Internet Infrastructure
Odaily: Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Max Crown: People often miss this point—we’re not just building another blockchain. We’re laying the groundwork for the next phase of the internet: decentralized, user-owned, universally accessible—and crucially, easy to use. We don’t expect people to change their habits or learn new systems. We’re building crypto that works naturally within the apps they already love. That’s the power of TON.
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Core Keywords: TON blockchain, Telegram Mini Apps, Toncoin integration, Web3 mass adoption, decentralized infrastructure, blockchain scalability, TON Connect, crypto user experience