Pavel Durov, the typically reserved Telegram founder, doesn’t often speak publicly, which makes his recent remarks about The Open Network (TON) all the more significant. In a rare public acknowledgment of the blockchain’s impressive growth, Durov revealed some eye-opening news: Silicon Valley giants like Sequoia, Benchmark, Ribbit, Draper, and VY Capital have collectively invested over $400 million into TON. This isn’t just about the money; it’s a major public endorsement from some of the biggest names in the tech world.

Durov explained TON’s growing importance with a very practical perspective. He pointed out that over the last year, TON has essentially become Telegram’s financial engine. It’s now the only way creators can withdraw their earnings, the exclusive payment system for ads on many markets, and the required blockchain for the hundreds of millions of people using mini-apps within Telegram.

Beyond just payments and earnings, Durov highlighted another significant shift. Even Telegram’s own digital assets, things like usernames and virtual gifts, are now exclusively available as NFTs on the TON blockchain. “The in-app economy is scaling faster than anticipated,” Durov remarked, underscoring the surprisingly rapid growth.

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Durov then focused on what he sees as TON’s key advantage: its technical design. He specifically mentioned its “sharding architecture,” built from the ground up to handle the immense transaction volume needed for Telegram’s nearly one billion users. He positioned TON as a rare blockchain that’s grounded in solid technical principles, not just fueled by market speculation.

This update from Durov arrived just as he was resolving a legal dispute with French authorities, adding an interesting backdrop to his comments on TON.