Solana News Today: Telegram Username @crypto Fetches $25 Million in TON Blockchain Boom

A Telegram username, @crypto, has become the subject of a record-breaking $25 million offer, signaling a dramatic rise in the value of tokenized digital identities on the TON blockchain. The username was initially purchased for $350,000, but its valuation has now surged nearly 70-fold, illustrating the growing appeal and financial potential of decentralized digital assets [1]. This event underscores the increasing market interest in Telegram-linked assets and highlights how unique online identities can now command significant capital.

The @crypto username is a tokenized asset on the TON blockchain, meaning it is secured through decentralized technology and can be transferred without the need for intermediaries. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov emphasized that these usernames are “digital assets on the network, requiring no intermediaries and without the risk of confiscation,” reinforcing their value proposition as stable and secure digital property [1]. The sale also demonstrates the broader trend of digital assets gaining traction beyond traditional financial instruments, with online presence and influence becoming monetizable commodities.

The valuation surge of @crypto coincides with robust performance in the TON ecosystem. According to CoinMarketCap data, Toncoin (TON) was trading at $3.35 with a market cap of $8.08 billion as of July 30, 2025. The token experienced a 3.43% increase over the past 24 hours, reflecting heightened activity and engagement on Telegram-based platforms [1]. Analysts suggest that the tokenized digital assets space, especially within Telegram’s ecosystem, could drive broader adoption and attract regulatory attention in the coming months [1].

This development is not isolated. Telegram-based trading platforms have also seen explosive growth. For instance, Trojan on Solana, a decentralized trading platform built on Telegram, reportedly recorded $25 billion in trading volume over 18 months, with more than 155 million trades and 2 million users [2]. Despite Telegram’s July 2025 decision to shut down its USD 35 billion Huione marketplace in an attempt to curb illicit crypto trading, unregulated transactions have quickly rebounded, indicating the platform's continued dominance as a hub for fast-moving crypto activity [1].

The @crypto username sale also parallels broader trends in the monetization of online influence. In a related development, Rumble, a video hosting platform, attracted a $25 million investment, valuing the company at $500 million. This suggests that digital platforms where influence and audience reach are key are now seeing substantial capital flows [3].

While the sale sets a new benchmark for digital identity valuations, it also raises important questions about the future of decentralized platforms and their role in the global financial system. The username market remains in its early stages, and although no similar transactions of such magnitude have been reported, the @crypto sale indicates that digital presence and influence can now translate directly into financial value.

[1] Source: [1] Telegram's Crack Down on Crypto Scams Fails to... (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/07/30/illicit-crypto-trade-quickly-rebounds-despite-telegram-s-shutdown-of-usd35b-huione-marketplace)

[2] Source: [2] Trojan On Solana Crosses $25B In Volume As Telegram... (https://blockchainreporter.net/trojan-on-solana-crosses-25b-in-volume-as-telegram-trading-booms/)

[3] Source: [3] The Mayor of the Manosphere (https://macleans.ca/politics/the-mayor-of-the-manosphere/)