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Telegram’s self-custodial TON Wallet launched for U.S. users on July 22, 2025. It is now called DeFi Account, following a May 27, 2026 rename. That is separate from Telegram’s custodial Crypto Wallet, whose current support documentation lists the United States and U.S. territories as unavailable.
For Americans, the practical takeaway is simple: Telegram offers a TON-focused, self-custodial wallet experience inside its Wallet interface, but the U.S. launch did not make the separate custodial Crypto Wallet available.
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Telegram has two different crypto products
The phrase “Telegram Wallet” can refer to two distinct services. Confusing them leads to the wrong conclusion about U.S. availability, custody and recovery.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Product | Custody | U.S. status | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeFi Account Formerly TON Wallet |
Self-custodial | Launched in the U.S. in July 2025, subject to regional and feature restrictions | Holding and using TON-related assets and applications inside Telegram |
| Crypto Wallet | Custodial | Current support documentation lists the U.S. and U.S. territories as unavailable | Custodial buying, selling, trading and storage in supported jurisdictions |
Wallet in Telegram’s original announcement described the U.S. rollout as the launch of the self-custodial TON Wallet. The TON Foundation CEO separately clarified that the announcement did not mean the custodial Crypto Wallet had launched in the U.S. (Wallet’s launch announcement; TON Foundation CEO clarification.)
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What changed from TON Wallet to DeFi Account?
On May 27, 2026, Wallet renamed TON Wallet to DeFi Account. The new name describes the product’s self-custodial design and its connection to decentralized applications and finance. The underlying distinction remains the same: you control the wallet’s private key and recovery phrase rather than a company holding them for you.
Wallet’s documentation says the private key and recovery phrase are available exclusively to the user. That has an important consequence: Telegram cannot simply reset the account if you lose the recovery phrase. Anyone who obtains the phrase may be able to control and transfer the assets in the wallet. See the official DeFi Account documentation.
What “self-custodial” means
A self-custodial wallet is software that lets you control blockchain credentials yourself. Telegram supplies the interface, but it does not function as the custodian of the DeFi Account’s keys.
- You control access: the recovery phrase is the critical backup for the wallet.
- There is no ordinary password reset: losing the phrase can mean permanently losing access.
- Transactions are generally irreversible: Telegram support usually cannot reverse a transfer sent to the wrong address or network.
- Security is your responsibility: the phrase should never be shared with support, entered into an unverified website or sent in a Telegram chat.
The custodial Crypto Wallet works differently. Its provider controls the wallet infrastructure, users access funds through their Telegram-linked account, and registration involves identification and verification. Its availability depends on jurisdictional restrictions.
How U.S. users can look for DeFi Account
Telegram’s labels and client interfaces can change, so there is no single universal menu path that should be assumed across iOS, Android and desktop. The current name to look for is DeFi Account, not only “TON Wallet.”
- Update Telegram through the official app store or official desktop distribution.
- Open Telegram’s current Wallet interface or Wallet mini app.
- Look for DeFi Account. Do not assume that a separate Crypto Wallet listing represents the same product.
- Create a new self-custodial account or import an existing compatible account if the current interface offers that option.
- Write the recovery phrase down offline and complete the in-app verification flow.
- Before adding funds, confirm the asset, network and destination address.
- Start with a small test transfer when sending to a new address.
If the option does not appear, possible explanations include an outdated Telegram client, a regional restriction, an account or client limitation, or confusion between DeFi Account and Crypto Wallet. Update the app, check the official Wallet interface and contact official support if you believe you are in an eligible region. Do not use a VPN or Tor to defeat a regional restriction.
What can DeFi Account do?
The July 2025 launch material described the self-custodial wallet as a way to send, receive, store and manage digital assets without leaving Telegram. It also promoted access to TON applications, games, decentralized-finance tools, NFTs, collectibles and digital marketplaces.
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Depending on the user’s location, account, asset and the current third-party integrations, the Wallet interface may also present:
- Transfers inside Telegram or to external wallet addresses
- Buying crypto through an on-ramp
- Swaps or other trading-related tools
- Staking or yield opportunities
- TON-based Mini Apps and decentralized applications
- NFTs and Telegram-linked digital collectibles
- Withdrawals through MoonPay, as described in the launch announcement
These should not be treated as permanent or universally available features. Some are supplied by third parties, and availability may depend on U.S. location, provider rules, token support and regulatory restrictions.
Fees: “zero-fee USDT” does not mean everything is free
The launch announcement advertised zero-percent fees on certain USDT purchases. That is a narrow promotional or transaction-specific claim, not proof that every Wallet transaction has no cost.
Before confirming a transaction, distinguish among:
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- On-ramp fees: fees charged by a provider such as MoonPay.
- Spread or markup: the difference between the quoted buy or sell price and the underlying market price.
- Swap or trading fees: charges from a wallet, exchange or decentralized application.
- Withdrawal fees: charges that may apply when sending assets out.
- Protocol or staking fees: charges associated with a particular decentralized service.
Check the live purchase or withdrawal screen and the relevant provider terms. A “0% fee” label may not include network costs, spreads, payment-provider charges or later withdrawal costs.
Which assets are supported?
There is no permanent asset list that can safely be copied from one Telegram wallet product to the other. Support changes by product, network, jurisdiction and provider.
The current Crypto Wallet support page lists assets and services including TON/Gram terminology, USDT, XAUT, NOT, DOGS, HMSTR, MAJOR, CATI, TAC, EVAA and tokenized stocks and ETFs. That page describes the custodial Crypto Wallet; it should not be used to promise that every listed asset is available in the U.S. DeFi Account.
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Always identify three things before depositing:
- The exact asset or token.
- The network on which it is being sent.
- Whether the receiving wallet supports that asset and network.
Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana should not automatically be described as native TON assets. The TON Foundation CEO said they are not native to the TON blockchain; any support through custody, bridges or other infrastructure is a different arrangement.
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How TON fits into the wallet
TON is the underlying blockchain associated with DeFi Account. TON-based fungible tokens are commonly called Jettons, and TON infrastructure is also used by some NFTs, collectibles and applications.
TON wallet accounts are blockchain accounts implemented through smart contracts. Transactions use cryptographic signatures and require network fees. The TON technical documentation explains the relationship among wallet keys, addresses, signatures and transaction processing.
Wallet’s support documentation says the network’s native asset was renamed from Toncoin/TON to Gram/GRAM on June 15, 2026, without requiring a swap or migration. The blockchain remains TON. Because app labels and exchange tickers can change, users should check the current Wallet interface and official documentation rather than acting on a message that asks them to “convert,” “activate” or “claim” Gram.
Is Telegram Wallet a bank or exchange account?
No. DeFi Account is a crypto wallet interface, not a bank account, brokerage account or automatically regulated exchange account.
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- Self-custody does not provide ordinary account-recovery protection.
- Buying crypto through a third-party on-ramp may require identity checks, payment limits and provider-specific terms.
- Tokenized stocks or ETFs, where offered by a separate service, are not automatically equivalent to owning securities in a conventional U.S. brokerage account.
Do not assume that features listed for custodial Crypto Wallet are available in the U.S. DeFi Account.
Main security risks
Recovery-phrase theft
Anyone asking for your recovery phrase is attempting to obtain control of the wallet. Do not share it with Telegram support, a friend, a “recovery” service or a website. Avoid screenshots and cloud notes, which can expose the phrase through synced devices or compromised accounts.
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Phishing and fake support
Telegram’s large ecosystem of chats, bots and Mini Apps creates opportunities for impersonation. Open Wallet through Telegram’s official interface or the official Wallet website, rather than through a link from a stranger.
Wrong-network transfers
Similar-looking addresses or token names do not guarantee compatibility. Confirm the asset, network, address, memo or comment field and any minimum deposit requirement. Send a small test amount when practical.
Smart-contract and DeFi risk
Staking, swaps, Mini Apps and decentralized applications can add smart-contract bugs, slippage, token scams, impermanent loss, liquidation risk and third-party counterparty risk. A self-custodial wallet does not make every application connected to it safe.
Regional and regulatory risk
Wallet features can be added, removed or restricted. The July 2025 launch does not guarantee that every feature remains available to every U.S. user in 2026.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and what to do
“I cannot find TON Wallet”
Search for DeFi Account, its current name. Update Telegram, check the official Wallet interface and confirm that you are not opening the separate Crypto Wallet. If regional detection is involved, do not use a VPN to bypass restrictions.
“I lost my recovery phrase”
Do not assume Telegram can restore a self-custodial DeFi Account. Access depends on the recovery phrase or another recovery method officially supported by the product. Never give the phrase to anyone claiming to be support.
“My transfer is missing”
Check the transaction hash on an appropriate TON explorer, then verify the destination address, network, token support and any required memo or comment. Do not promise that a mistaken transfer can be reversed.
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“The account is under review”
This language is more likely to relate to custodial Crypto Wallet and its identification process. First determine which product you opened. Do not assume that a custodial review process applies to DeFi Account.
“I was told to swap TON for Gram”
The official support information says the renaming did not require a swap, migration or new token issuance. Treat requests to “activate,” “convert” or “claim” Gram as likely scams unless confirmed through official Wallet documentation.
How DeFi Account compares with alternatives
| Wallet | Best suited to | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Tonkeeper | Users who want a dedicated TON-focused wallet outside Telegram | It does not provide the same Telegram-native experience |
| MyTonWallet | Users who want an independent TON wallet | Less integrated with Telegram chats and Mini Apps |
| MetaMask | Ethereum and EVM-compatible networks | It is not a direct TON-wallet equivalent |
| Coinbase Wallet | Users seeking a separate, self-custodial, multi-network wallet associated with a major U.S. crypto brand | It does not provide Telegram-native transfers or a TON-first interface |
Choose DeFi Account if your priority is using TON assets and Telegram-related applications inside Telegram and you understand self-custody. Choose a separate wallet if you prefer to keep wallet activity outside messaging, need broader multi-chain support or want a different software ecosystem. Users who do not want to manage a recovery phrase may prefer researching a regulated custodial exchange or another supported custodial service, subject to its U.S. availability and terms.
Why the U.S. launch mattered
The launch removed a previous geographic barrier for Telegram’s integrated self-custodial wallet. It also put TON-related transfers, applications and collectibles inside an app already used by millions of Americans, rather than requiring a separate wallet download or browser extension.
Telegram had offered wallet access internationally before the U.S. rollout. TechCrunch reported that Telegram said more than 100 million users had activated wallets globally in 2024; that is a company-reported figure, not an independently audited user count. The strategic significance is Telegram’s attempt to connect messaging, Mini Apps, payments, collectibles and TON applications in one distribution channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Telegram’s crypto wallet available in the United States?
The self-custodial wallet launched in the U.S. on July 22, 2025 and is now called DeFi Account. Availability can still depend on location, client, account and feature restrictions.
Is Telegram Crypto Wallet available in the U.S.?
Telegram’s separate custodial Crypto Wallet is currently listed as unavailable in the United States and U.S. territories in its support documentation.
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Does Telegram hold the crypto in DeFi Account?
DeFi Account is self-custodial. The user controls the private key and recovery phrase; losing the phrase can mean losing access.
Can I use a VPN to access a restricted wallet?
No. Do not use a VPN or similar tool to bypass Wallet’s regional restrictions.
Is Gram a new cryptocurrency that requires a swap from TON?
Wallet’s support documentation says the native asset was renamed Gram/GRAM without requiring a swap, migration or new issuance. Treat unsolicited conversion requests as suspicious.
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