Telegram is reshaping its in-app crypto experience, launching a self-custodial wallet called Gram as the default option in user settings while the existing custodial service, Wallet in Telegram, rebrands to Walt.
A New Default Wallet
The messaging giant has integrated Gram, a self-custodial wallet, directly into its settings menu, making it the standard option for users navigating the app's crypto features. Unlike custodial services, a self-custodial wallet gives users direct control over their private keys and funds, removing the need to trust a third party with asset custody.
The move signals Telegram's continued push to embed blockchain functionality deeper into its platform, which serves a global user base numbering in the hundreds of millions. By positioning Gram as the default, Telegram is nudging users toward greater ownership over their digital assets.
Self-custody puts the keys, and the responsibility, squarely in the hands of users.
The Walt Rebrand
Alongside the Gram debut, the previously named Wallet in Telegram is transitioning to a new identity as Walt. The rebrand distinguishes the two offerings and clarifies the roles each plays within the app's growing financial ecosystem.
The shift reflects a broader trend among consumer platforms integrating crypto tools, where clear branding and custodial choices matter increasingly to users weighing convenience against control. Telegram's ecosystem has long been tied to the TON blockchain, and these updates reinforce that relationship.
Key takeaways from the update include:
- Gram is a self-custodial wallet now set as the default in settings.
- Wallet in Telegram is being renamed Walt.
- Users gain a clearer choice between custodial and self-custodial options.
As Telegram continues to expand its crypto capabilities, the dual offering of Gram and Walt gives its massive audience distinct pathways for managing digital assets, whether they prioritize hands-on control or the simplicity of a managed service.