Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced on September 1 (Korea time) that the non-custodial Gram Wallet has been made available to some users. Unlike a custodial wallet, in which a service provider holds assets on the user's behalf, a non-custodial wallet gives the user direct control over their assets. Durov said access will be expanded in stages to Telegram's more than one billion users over roughly the next two weeks. He did not disclose how many people currently have access, which countries are covered, or which assets are supported. He explained that TON validators have approved the wallet's smart contract, so future upgrades will not require a cumbersome migration. This is Durov's own account and does not indicate that a separate security audit has been completed. Region-specific purchase and payment features and the private key recovery process have not yet been disclosed.
Telegram Rolls Out Non-Custodial 'Gram Wallet' to Limited Users, Phased Expansion Over Next Two Weeks
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Because Telegram has more than one billion users, a full rollout of Gram Wallet could spread self-custody wallets and on-chain transfers as everyday messenger features. That could significantly accelerate the pace at which non-custodial wallets reach the mainstream. What remains to be seen is whether the expanding rollout translates into actual use, and how much active wallet counts and transfer and payment volumes grow.