Telegram Adds Money Wallet for Gram Payments
Telegram has started rolling out Money, a built-in Gram wallet for transfers and collectibles that separates in-chat payments from Walt’s wider crypto trading tools.
Key Takeaways
- Money brings Gram transfers into Telegram chats.
- Users can also buy gifts and collectible usernames.
- Walt remains the separate app for trading and multi-asset services.
- Gram is the renamed TON token; no swap is required.
Money places Gram beside Telegram’s everyday actions
Telegram is rolling out Money as its built-in route for sending Gram and purchasing items that already belong to the messenger’s digital economy, including gifts and collectible usernames. The Defiant reported that the feature is arriving as a native Telegram wallet rather than another standalone crypto app.
The design follows Telegram’s earlier plan to make Gram transfers work directly inside conversations. Its published interface text tells users to open the attachment menu, choose “Money” and transfer Gram to another person in the chat. Telegram’s translation portal confirms that flow.
That makes Money a payment feature before it is a trading product. Someone who wants to send Gram, buy a gift or purchase a collectible username should not have to navigate token charts, order books or a list of hundreds of assets to complete the action.
Money and Walt serve different users
The rollout is easier to understand once the roles are separated. Money is designed for simple Telegram-native actions, while Walt remains the service for users who want a wider set of crypto functions.
Walt’s September announcement set out that division in advance. The company said the Gram Wallet would become Telegram’s straightforward entry point for buying and using Gram, while Walt would continue as the more extensive crypto platform available through @walt.
That split gives Telegram a clearer product structure. Money can remain focused on sending and spending, while Walt can serve users who actively want exchanges, investment products and a larger selection of assets.
Gram is a new name for TON, not a new token
The naming change creates one point that users should understand before they move funds. Gram is the new name for Toncoin, while the blockchain remains TON. Existing balances, addresses and assets do not need to be migrated.
Walt’s documentation says the rename did not involve a swap, bridge or newly issued token. A message claiming that a holder must exchange TON for “new Gram” should be treated with caution, especially if it directs the user to a website or asks for recovery details.
What users should know
- There is no TON-to-Gram token swap to complete.
- Only use wallet features available through Telegram’s official interface.
- Never send a recovery phrase, private key or Telegram login code to a chat contact.
The convenience of chat payments does not remove crypto risk
Telegram founder Pavel Durov described the Gram wallet as a non-custodial product in an earlier announcement. That gives users more control over their assets, but it also means they need to treat wallet access and recovery information carefully.
A payment made to the wrong recipient may be difficult to reverse, while a compromised account or exposed recovery phrase can put funds at risk. Users should confirm the recipient and amount before sending Gram, then wait for the feature to appear through Telegram’s normal rollout rather than installing copycat apps or following links sent in unsolicited messages.
Telegram is making crypto useful before making it complex
Money does not prove that Telegram’s huge audience will begin using Gram, and it does not turn every chat into a crypto market. It gives the token a clearer everyday role inside the messenger: a way to transfer value and buy digital goods that already exist on the platform.
Whether that role gains traction will depend on the rollout, regional access and how easy Telegram makes it to acquire and protect Gram. For now, the product strategy is clear: Money handles the simple payment moment, while Walt remains available for users who want to go further into crypto.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial advice. Feature availability may vary by region and account.
Alexander Zdravkov is a market analyst and crypto journalist with interests in economics, broader financial markets and digital assets. His journey into crypto began more than four years ago, driven by a fascination with the rapid evolution of blockchain technology and the transformative potential of decentralized finance. He began analyzing market cycles and identifying emerging trends before they reach the mainstream. He holds a degree in International Relations - a background that helped shape his broader perspective on global economics, geopolitics, and the interconnected nature of modern financial markets. Whether covering the latest developments in the crypto sector or exploring broader macroeconomic themes, Alexander focuses on giving readers context rather than simply repeating headlines. During his career, he has authored more than 5,000 articles covering cryptocurrencies, traditional finance, and global market developments. His work spans everything from Bitcoin and altcoins to macroeconomic trends influencing risk assets worldwide.
