The Open Network Foundation (TON) confirmed via its official X account that its native token, Toncoin, will officially rebrand to Gram on June 15. The decision, approved by 81.22% of the community vote, marks a return to the token’s original name abandoned during past regulatory disputes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Rebrand Details and Timeline
According to the foundation’s announcement, the ticker will change from TON to GRAM at precisely 8:00 p.m. UTC on June 15. The foundation clarified that the blockchain itself will continue to be called The Open Network. Only the token’s name, ticker, and icon are being updated. The change does not affect the network’s underlying technology or existing token holders.
The move follows a recent declaration by Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, who publicly advocated for returning the token to its original Gram branding. Durov’s statement earlier this year signaled a strategic pivot to reclaim the project’s early identity, which was shelved in 2020 after the SEC halted Telegram’s $1.7 billion Gram token sale, alleging unregistered securities offering.
Background: From Gram to Toncoin and Back
The Gram token was originally conceived as the native currency for Telegram’s blockchain platform, TON. However, after the SEC intervention, Telegram abandoned the project in 2020, and the community-driven TON Foundation rebranded the token to Toncoin to distance itself from the legal battle. The SEC case was eventually settled, with Telegram agreeing to return $1.2 billion to investors and pay an $18.5 million civil penalty.
Now, with renewed regulatory clarity and a growing decentralized ecosystem, the foundation sees the rebrand as a way to honor the project’s roots while moving forward. The vote, which saw strong community support, reflects a desire to reclaim the original brand equity associated with the Gram name.
Market and Community Implications
For token holders, the rebrand is primarily cosmetic. Wallets, exchanges, and decentralized applications will need to update their interfaces to reflect the new ticker and icon. The foundation has stated that no action is required from users, as the transition will be handled automatically by infrastructure providers. However, traders should be aware that price feeds and listing pages may temporarily display both tickers during the transition period.
The rebrand also carries symbolic weight. By returning to the Gram name, the TON Foundation signals a new chapter of regulatory compliance and mainstream acceptance. It also strengthens the brand’s association with Telegram, which, despite its legal separation, remains the network’s largest user base and most prominent advocate.
Conclusion
The Toncoin-to-Gram rebrand on June 15 represents a full-circle moment for one of the most closely watched blockchain projects in crypto. While the change is largely symbolic, it underscores the TON Foundation’s commitment to community governance and its effort to rebuild trust after the SEC conflict. Investors and users should prepare for the ticker update but can expect no disruption to the network’s functionality.
FAQs
Q1: Will my Toncoin tokens automatically convert to Gram?
Yes. The rebrand is automatic. No action is required from token holders. Exchanges and wallets will update the ticker and icon on June 15 at 8:00 p.m. UTC.
Q2: Why did the TON Foundation decide to rebrand back to Gram?
The decision followed a community vote where 81.22% approved the change. It also aligns with Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s public support for returning to the original Gram name, which was abandoned after the SEC lawsuit in 2020.
Q3: Does the rebrand affect the blockchain or smart contracts?
No. Only the token’s name, ticker, and icon are changing. The Open Network blockchain remains unchanged, and all smart contracts, dApps, and balances will continue to function normally.
