The Open Network Foundation
The Open Network Foundation is a Swiss non-profit established in 2023 that supports The Open Network (TON), a Layer-1 blockchain integrated with Telegram Messenger. It coordinates community-driven development, grants, and ecosystem initiatives for Web3 applications — wallets, NFT marketplaces, and cross-chain DeFi — serving Telegram's 1 billion+ users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersZug, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What The Open Network Foundation does
The Open Network Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization established in 2023 in Zug, Switzerland, funded entirely by community contributions. It serves as the governance and coordination body for The Open Network (TON), a Layer-1 blockchain that is deeply integrated with Telegram Messenger to bring Web3 functionality — wallets, payments, NFTs, and decentralized applications — directly to Telegram's 1 billion+ user base. The Foundation does not control the underlying technology; it supports community-driven projects through coordination, grants, and technical assistance while TON operates as an open-source codebase with no single controlling authority.
TON's core technology stack includes the Catchain 2.0 consensus protocol (400ms block times), a micro-transaction fee structure (~0.0008 TON per transaction, an 83.3% reduction), Chainlink CCIP integration for cross-chain interoperability, and the TON Space non-custodial wallet embedded inside Telegram. The native token, rebranded from Toncoin ($TON) to Gram ($GRAM) in June 2026 following an 81.22% community governance vote, serves as the primary economic instrument. Supporting products include the MRKT NFT marketplace (a Telegram-native mini-app for trading digital collectibles) and integrations with enterprise infrastructure providers Fireblocks and Dynamic.
The Foundation's business model is non-traditional: it does not directly monetize, but supports an ecosystem whose economics are driven by network transaction fees, token appreciation, and staking yields (TON Strategy Company reports ~17.80% annualized yield on 226.8M staked TON). Go-to-market combines community-led ecosystem development with API-first infrastructure for developers building Telegram Mini Apps. The ecosystem has raised $400M from Sequoia, Benchmark, Ribbit, and Kingsway, with a stated objective of engaging 450 million Telegram users by 2028. Customer segments span consumer Telegram users, Web3 developers, crypto traders/NFT enthusiasts, and emerging institutional users leveraging enterprise wallet and compliance infrastructure.
The Open Network Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Open Network Foundation
- Legal name
- The Open Network Foundation
- Website
- https://ton.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Open Network Foundation is a Swiss non-profit established in 2023 that supports The Open Network (TON), a Layer-1 blockchain integrated with Telegram Messenger. It coordinates community-driven development, grants, and ecosystem initiatives for Web3 applications — wallets, NFT marketplaces, and cross-chain DeFi — serving Telegram's 1 billion+ users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Open Network Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Blockchain Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- On-Chain Payments & Stablecoin Infrastructure (Issuance, Rails, Treasury) (FSAGAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wallet Infrastructure (SDKs, Wallet-as-a-Service) (FSADACAD), Interoperability & Cross-Chain Infrastructure (Bridges, Messaging, Atomic Swaps) (FSAGAMAI), In-Game Asset Standards & Infrastructure (NFT items, marketplaces, royalties, asset registries) (FSAPAGAE)
Keywords
Where The Open Network Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zug
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Open Network Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Network Transaction Fees: TON generates revenue through transaction fees on its blockchain network, which were recently reduced by 83.3% to approximately 0.0008 TON per transaction to drive micro-transaction adoption within Telegram's ecosystem.
- Token Economics: The native token (Toncoin, recently rebranded to Gram) serves as the primary economic instrument of the TON ecosystem, with staking rewards, token appreciation, and ecosystem participation generating value for participants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Blockchain transaction fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Open Network Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Open Network Foundation operates The Open Network (TON), a Layer-1 blockchain integrated with Telegram Messenger that enables Web3 services, digital identity, and asset ownership for billions of users. The foundation, established in Switzerland in 2023 as a nonprofit, supports the ecosystem through community-driven grants, coordination, and open-source development without controlling the underlying technology. Core offerings include the TON blockchain, the Gram native token (formerly Toncoin), the TON Space non-custodial wallet, and NFT marketplace mini-apps such as MRKT.
Product overview
The Open Network (TON) operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on a layer-1 blockchain integrated with Telegram Messenger. The core offering is The Open Network itself—a blockchain designed to bring Web3 to billions of users through Telegram's embedded distribution. The native cryptocurrency, now called Gram (formerly Toncoin), powers all network transactions. TON Space serves as the primary non-custodial wallet module integrated directly into Telegram, while MRKT provides an NFT marketplace mini-app for trading digital collectibles. The Open Network Foundation, the supporting non-profit organization, coordinates grants and community initiatives. The ecosystem also supports mini-apps, cross-chain interoperability via Chainlink CCIP, and enterprise wallet infrastructure through partnerships with Fireblocks and Dynamic.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Open Network (TON) Layer-1 blockchain platform integrated with Telegram Messenger, designed to put crypto in every pocket by building a Web3 ecosystem within the messaging app, giving users ownership of digital identity, data, and assets while supporting cross-chain interoperability and scalability.
- Gram (formerly Toncoin) Native cryptocurrency of The Open Network blockchain serving as the primary medium of exchange, powering transactions, smart contracts, and micro-transactions on the Telegram-integrated blockchain platform.
- TON Space Wallet Non-custodial wallet integrated directly into Telegram, enabling users to manage crypto assets, send and receive funds, and interact with Web3 applications without leaving the messaging app.
- MRKT NFT Marketplace NFT marketplace built on The Open Network and launched as a native mini app within Telegram, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade digital collectibles including Telegram gifts and stickers directly within chat environments.
- Grants Program Community grants program that offers coordination, support, and funding to community-driven TON ecosystem projects identified and valued by the wider TON Community.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cross-chain NFT market share surge of 130.4% in Q1 2025, capturing 35.5% of the market
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Open Network Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Open Network Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
The Open Network Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- FireblockscoreFireblocks and Dynamic have integrated their wallet infrastructure solutions with The Open Network (TON) and Telegram, enabling developers to build blockchain-based financial services directly within Telegram Mini Apps. This integration simplifies wallet deployment and management.
- DynamiccoreDynamic partnered with Fireblocks to integrate enterprise-grade wallet infrastructure with TON and Telegram, facilitating faster market deployment for blockchain-based financial services.
- ChainlinkcoreChainlink expanded its Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) and Data Streams to TON, integrating TON into the multi-chain ecosystem to support cross-chain transfer of Toncoin and real-time market data, enabling advanced DeFi applications at global scale.
- MEXCcoreMEXC secured significant funding for the TON Foundation and formed a strategic partnership to promote Web3 adoption on Telegram. MEXC supports TON-based projects, introduces new services, and explores further integration efforts involving the TON ecosystem.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Open Network Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Linea (Consensys): Linea is Consensys' L2 zk-rollup, part of the broader Ethereum ecosystem. It overlaps with TON as an EVM-compatible chain targeting consumer apps and DeFi at lower cost.
- Avalanche Foundation: Avalanche Foundation supports a multi-chain L1 platform with subnets. It competes with TON for institutional and DeFi use cases and offers cross-chain interoperability through similar messaging protocols.
- Stellar Development Foundation: Stellar Development Foundation supports the Stellar network, focused on cross-border payments and tokenization. Overlaps with TON's stablecoin payments and tokenization use cases.
Direct peers
- Solana Foundation: Solana Foundation supports the Solana L1 blockchain, which competes directly with TON for high-throughput consumer applications and stablecoin payments. Both target sub-cent transaction economics and developer-friendly ecosystems.
- NEAR Foundation: NEAR Foundation supports the NEAR Protocol L1, a direct competitor in the consumer-friendly, low-fee smart contract platform space. Both target mainstream Web3 adoption with developer-focused tooling.
- Polygon Labs: Polygon Labs supports the Polygon L2/L1 ecosystem, competing with TON on low-fee transactions, cross-chain interoperability, and enterprise integrations like Fireblocks/Dynamic.
- Sui Foundation: Sui Foundation supports the Sui L1 blockchain, which competes with TON for high-throughput, low-latency consumer applications including gaming and digital assets.
- Aptos Foundation: Aptos Foundation supports the Aptos L1, a Move-based blockchain competing with TON in the high-performance consumer application and gaming verticals.
Emerging players
- Internet Computer (DFINITY Foundation): DFINITY Foundation supports the Internet Computer, an L1 targeting fully on-chain computation and Web3 services that can be invoked from traditional web contexts — overlapping with TON's mini-app and Web2-integration thesis.
Others
- Fireblocks: Fireblocks is an enterprise wallet and custody infrastructure provider that integrates with TON (and many other chains). Comparable as a critical infrastructure partner enabling TON's institutional adoption rather than as a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Open Network Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Open Network Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Open Network Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Open Network Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors10 records
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The Open Network Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
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Frequently asked questions about The Open Network Foundation
What does The Open Network Foundation do?
The Open Network Foundation operates The Open Network (TON), a Layer-1 blockchain integrated with Telegram Messenger that enables Web3 services, digital identity, and asset ownership for billions of users. The foundation, established in Switzerland in 2023 as a nonprofit, supports the ecosystem through community-driven grants, coordination, and open-source development without controlling the underlying technology. Core offerings include the TON blockchain, the Gram native token (formerly Toncoin), the TON Space non-custodial wallet, and NFT marketplace mini-apps such as MRKT.
Is The Open Network Foundation a public or private company?
The Open Network Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Open Network Foundation founded?
The Open Network Foundation was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Open Network Foundation based?
The Open Network Foundation is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does The Open Network Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Network Transaction Fees are the primary driver. The others are token Economics.
Who are The Open Network Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Linea (Consensys), Avalanche Foundation and Stellar Development Foundation. Direct peers are Solana Foundation, NEAR Foundation, Polygon Labs, Sui Foundation and Aptos Foundation. Internet Computer (DFINITY Foundation) is listed as an emerging player. Fireblocks is listed as an others.
Does The Open Network Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Open Network Foundation.
What industry is The Open Network Foundation in?
The Open Network Foundation's product category is Blockchain Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAGAMAD, On-Chain Payments & Stablecoin Infrastructure (Issuance, Rails, Treasury), with a secondary code of FSADACAD, Wallet Infrastructure (SDKs, Wallet-as-a-Service). Its NAICS code is 518210 and its SIC code is 6199.