Toncoin (TON) Jumps 16% as Telegram Secures $300M xAI Deal and Grok Integration

Telegram has solidified its evolution from a privacy-centric messaging app to a revenue-generating platform through two key initiatives: a $300 million partnership with Elon Musk’s xAI and a $1.5 billion bond offering. The deal will integrate Grok, Musk’s AI chatbot, exclusively into Telegram for one year, with xAI compensating $300 million via cash, equity, and 50% of subscription revenue generated on the platform.

TON, Telegram’s native cryptocurrency, surged 15% after CEO Pavel Durov confirmed the agreement. This marks Telegram’s first major monetization effort leveraging its 1 billion monthly active users, moving away from reliance on donations and debt financing. Durov assured users that their data will not be used to train Grok, addressing privacy concerns.

Despite the bullish momentum, Telegram’s future—including potential IPO plans—remains uncertain due to ongoing legal challenges in French courts. The partnership positions Telegram ahead of competitors like WhatsApp and Snapchat, which have faced difficulties monetizing AI features within their messaging ecosystems.