Telegram Revives GRAM and Launches Apple Watch App: What This Means for Crypto

Pavel Durov is making waves with Telegram's latest moves: renaming Toncoin back to GRAM, and launching a native Apple Watch app. These strategic decisions are more than just rebranding and app updates. they signify a deeper intent to expand Telegram's influence both in the crypto sphere and the broader tech world.

Chronology of Events

The story begins with Telegram's original vision from 2018. Back then, the GRAM token was part of a grand plan outlined in Telegram's whitepaper. However, regulatory challenges, particularly from the SEC, led to a halt in the project and a hefty $1.7 billion refund to investors. Fast forward to now, the community-driven TON Foundation has kept the blockchain alive, operating under the Toncoin brand.

On June 15, a community governance vote showed overwhelming support for the return to the GRAM name, with 81.22% in favor. This change is part of a broader strategy known as the Make TON Great Again roadmap, which aims to bring Telegram's original vision back to life.

Alongside the rebrand, Telegram's recent announcement of a fully native Apple Watch app on June 9 signifies a return to wearable technology. This app brings messaging, voice notes, and more directly to users' wrists, rekindling a presence that had been discontinued years ago.

Impact on the Market

What does this mean for the cryptocurrencies involved and their holders? The renaming of Toncoin back to GRAM doesn't require any action from its holders. Balances and existing smart contracts remain unaffected, which means users don't need to worry about swapping or bridging tokens.

The rebranding is a bold move to recapture the identity and narrative from 2018, potentially rekindling interest and confidence in the project. However, the market response has been mixed. Toncoin's price saw a significant drop of nearly 30% over the past month, settling at $1.66 with a market cap of $4.43 billion.

The Apple Watch app, on the other hand, expands Telegram's reach into consumer hardware, potentially broadening its user base and, by extension, the user base for its crypto offerings. With over one billion users, the implications for GRAM's adoption are huge.

Outlook: What's Next?

So, where does Telegram go from here? The three-week transition period for GRAM ensures that by June 22, all exchanges and projects will have aligned with the new-old branding. This consistency is key for user confidence and space coherence.

However, we're left wondering about the next steps in the MTONGA roadmap. What additional changes could further boost GRAM's standing in the crypto world? The remaining three steps in the roadmap are yet to be disclosed, leaving room for speculation. Could these involve more integrations, technological advancements, or market expansions?

In the world of crypto, branding and technological advancements play significant roles in a project's success. Telegram's twin moves, rebranding and expanding device compatibility, are clear indicators of its sustained ambition. The container doesn't care about your consensus mechanism, but it surely cares about how you package your product and reach your users.

The coming weeks will reveal how these strategic decisions play out. Will GRAM regain its former glory and become a staple in crypto transactions? Or will it fade amidst the noise of newer projects?, but one thing's for sure: Telegram is making moves that the market can't ignore.