The TON Foundation, the organization spearheading the development of The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has appointed MoonPay co-founder Maximilian Krainz as its new Chief Executive Officer. According to the foundation, Krainz played a pivotal role in scaling MoonPay’s financial and operational infrastructure - experience that is forecasted to significantly strengthen TON’s market positioning.
The leadership change comes amid a period of slower ecosystem growth. Data from TonStat indicates that daily transaction volume and fees have moderated after a surge in 2024, fueled by the popularity of Telegram-based applications like Notcoin and Hamster Kombat.
Strategic Vision for TON’s Future
Manuel Stotz, founder of Kingsway Capital and president of the TON Foundation’s board since January 2025, emphasized that Krainz’s appointment brings seasoned operational expertise crucial for expanding large-scale fintech platforms. Stotz noted that the foundation expects Krainz to drive new initiatives that predict long-term growth across the TON ecosystem.
In January, TON Foundation and Telegram signed an exclusive agreement mandating that all integrated Web3 applications within Telegram must utilize the TON blockchain. Since then, the platform has reported significant user expansion - active accounts have grown from 4 million to 41 million, and total addresses now exceed 150 million. Notably, the number of Toncoin holders has surpassed the number of wallets holding Bitcoin, underlining the project’s accelerating user adoption.
Growth Forecasts and Roadmap
The TON Foundation has set an ambitious target - attracting 30% of Telegram’s active user base to the blockchain by 2028. Key priorities include launching multiplayer games, advancing DeFi solutions, and enabling real-world crypto payments. These initiatives are forecasted to enhance TON’s competitiveness against other Layer 1 blockchains focusing on mass consumer adoption.
In a statement earlier this month, Stotz suggested that deeper integration of payments, messaging, and online identity solutions could transform Telegram into a globally accessible “super app” for the digital economy - a development with significant implications for Web3 adoption trends.
Developers recently published a new roadmap for TON, outlining core initiatives for the first half of 2025. Market analysts predict that successful execution of these plans could solidify TON’s position as a leading blockchain ecosystem, particularly within the fast-growing intersection of social media and decentralized finance.
