Gram (The Open Network) review

Gram is the native token of The Open Network (TON), a fully decentralised blockchain developed by Telegram. It powers transaction fees, validator staking, and smart contract execution on the network. TON was designed to handle mass adoption through Telegram's 900-million-user base, offering subsecond transaction finality and near-zero fees. The blockchain uses a Proof-of-Stake consensus model with no pre-mine or institutional allocation; the original Gram token was initially distributed to Telegram users via blockchain-based wallets. Transactions cost microscopically small amounts, and the network can process hundreds of thousands of transactions per second across multiple shardchains. Gram operates without a traditional central authority. Validators earn rewards from transaction fees and block rewards, incentivising network participation. The ecosystem includes DEXs, NFT marketplaces, and payment applications, though adoption trails Ethereum and Solana significantly. Regulatory clarity remains ambiguous: some exchanges list Gram, whilst others have delisted it due to Telegram's complex geopolitical status and historical regulatory scrutiny. The token is tradeable on major exchanges but trading volume and price discovery can be volatile. TON differs from conventional layer-2 solutions by operating as a fully independent chain rather than settling to another blockchain. Its primary advantage is frictionless Telegram integration; users can send Gram and interact with smart contracts directly within Telegram chats. However, the developer community remains smaller than Ethereum or Solana, resulting in fewer audited applications and less institutional adoption. Gas fees are negligible even during congestion, making it economical for micropayments and high-frequency transactions. The lack of regulatory endorsement in major jurisdictions and limited DeFi depth remain material limitations for institutional capital allocation. Gram's appeal is strongest for payment-centric and Telegram-native use cases. Traditional DeFi players, institutional treasury management, and applications requiring deep liquidity pools will likely remain anchored to Ethereum or other more established chains. The platform's openness and low costs make it excellent for emerging markets and unbanked populations, but the nascent tooling landscape requires caution for sophisticated trading or hedging strategies.

Gram (The Open Network) is lightly regulated or non-custodial. No major custody breach on record. As with any platform, use strong security and only hold what you need on it.

No — KYC is not required (non-custodial or minimal verification), which shifts custody and compliance responsibility to you.

Gram (The Open Network) fees: maker N/A, taker N/A; withdrawals: N/A. Always confirm current fees on the official site, as crypto fees change often.

Yes. Indian residents face 30% tax on crypto gains and 1% TDS on transactions above ₹50,000 per the Finance Act 2022.

Users seeking ultra-fast payments and Telegram-native blockchain interaction without custodial intermediaries..

Avoid Gram (The Open Network) if: You require extensive DeFi options, institutional regulatory clarity, or established developer communities..

Pros: Extremely fast and low-cost transactions with sub-second finality; Native integration with Telegram, enabling seamless blockchain access for 900+ million users; Fully decentralised validator network with no institutional gatekeepers. Cons: Significantly smaller ecosystem and developer community compared to Ethereum or Solana; Regulatory uncertainty in some jurisdictions due to Telegram's geopolitical position; Limited DeFi primitives and third-party tool integration relative to mature L1 blockchains.

No / limited. See the official site for current licensing.

This review was last verified on 2026-07-05 against the official site.