Pavel Durov’s ambitious “Make TON Great Again” (MTONGA) roadmap has already completed four major milestones, bringing faster transactions, lower fees, Telegram-led network validation, and the return of the Gram brand. With three steps still under wraps, investors and traders are watching closely for what could be the next big catalyst for the blockchain.
Launched in April 2026, the MTONGA roadmap outlines a seven-step strategy aimed at transforming The Open Network into Telegram’s primary blockchain infrastructure. The project marks a major shift in Telegram’s relationship with the network, reversing years of separation that followed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) settlement in 2020.
So far, four milestones have been delivered, each triggering significant market reactions. While the remaining three steps remain a mystery, many believe they could play an important role in driving broader adoption of the Gram ecosystem.
What Is the MTONGA Roadmap?
The “Make TON Great Again” roadmap is Pavel Durov’s plan to tightly integrate The Open Network with Telegram’s nearly one billion users. Originally created by Telegram in 2018, the blockchain was handed over to the independent TON Foundation after regulatory action from the SEC forced Telegram to abandon the project in 2020.
Now, Durov has returned to lead the network’s future by introducing technical upgrades, reclaiming the original Gram branding, and positioning Telegram as a central player in the blockchain’s development.
The roadmap focuses on improving speed, reducing transaction costs, strengthening Telegram’s role, and preparing the network for large-scale consumer use.
Four Milestones Already Completed
The first step introduced Catchain 2.0, a major upgrade that reduced transaction confirmation times from several seconds to under one second. Block production dropped from roughly 2.5 seconds to about 400 milliseconds, allowing applications and payments to feel almost instant. However, the faster network also increases validator rewards, raising annual inflation from around 0.6% to approximately 3.6%.
The second milestone targeted transaction costs. Base fees were reduced by nearly six times, bringing average transfer costs to roughly $0.0005 regardless of network congestion. The change supports micropayments, tipping, and high-frequency transactions that could eventually serve Telegram’s massive user base.
The third step represented one of the roadmap’s biggest strategic shifts. Telegram officially became the network’s largest validator, replacing the TON Foundation as the primary steward of The Open Network. The move signals Telegram’s direct commitment to the blockchain, although it has also sparked debate over increased network centralization.
The fourth milestone completed the long-awaited branding change. The native token officially returned to its original Gram (GRAM) name, replacing Toncoin (TON) following a community vote that received 81.22% support. The rename did not require token swaps or migrations, leaving balances, staking, smart contracts, and wallet addresses unchanged. Instead, it served as a symbolic move reconnecting the project with Telegram’s original blockchain vision.
Why the Market Keeps Reacting
Every completed MTONGA milestone has produced a similar market pattern.
Announcements surrounding the speed upgrade, fee reduction, validator transition, and Gram rebranding pushed the token sharply higher before prices gradually retreated. Gram climbed from around $1.30 to nearly $2.89 during the first wave of announcements before pulling back. The rebranding later triggered another rally of roughly 19%, although those gains also faded over time.
This reflects a classic “buy the rumor, sell the news” cycle. Investors have rewarded roadmap announcements, but lasting price appreciation will likely depend on stronger user adoption, higher payment volumes, and increased on-chain activity rather than technical improvements alone.
What Could the Final Three Steps Include?
Although Pavel Durov has not revealed the final three milestones, several possibilities have emerged based on his public comments and Telegram’s long-term direction.
One likely addition is another round of performance improvements, including faster consensus upgrades or even the feeless transactions Durov has previously hinted at.
A second possibility is deeper Telegram integration, allowing Gram to power in-app payments, tipping, digital commerce, and other everyday financial services directly inside the messaging platform.
The roadmap could also introduce stronger developer tools and ecosystem improvements through the recently launched ton.org website, making it easier for builders to create decentralized applications on the network.
Some observers also believe Telegram could unveil expanded payment partnerships, a U.S. wallet rollout, or additional consumer-focused financial products as regulatory conditions continue to evolve.
While these possibilities remain speculative, the roadmap’s progression suggests the next phase will focus less on infrastructure and more on bringing real users and economic activity onto the blockchain.
What MTONGA Means for Investors
For long-term holders, the roadmap offers a clear framework for monitoring Telegram’s blockchain strategy. Each remaining announcement could act as a short-term catalyst, but sustained growth will ultimately depend on whether Telegram can convert its enormous user base into active Gram users.
For traders, MTONGA has created a predictable cycle of volatility. Each roadmap announcement has generated strong rallies followed by profit-taking, making future updates closely watched events.
Ultimately, the roadmap has already delivered meaningful technical upgrades and restored Telegram’s direct influence over The Open Network. However, the real test lies ahead. The final three milestones will likely determine whether Gram evolves beyond a promising blockchain into a widely used payment network serving Telegram’s billion-user ecosystem.
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