"TON Plunges 47% as Telegram Integration Looms; Analysts See Opportunity"

The price of TON (TON) has fallen by 47% from its peak, as the integration with Telegram nears. The cryptocurrency is currently trading at $3.80, down from its post-election high of $7.20. Despite this decline, some analysts believe that TON may be undervalued, as indicated by the NMR metric, which has historically preceded price rebounds.

Telegram will implement TON as its exclusive blockchain on February 21, 2025. This integration is expected to increase network usage and utility, as blockchain mini-apps will be required to use TON exclusively. To support this transition, the TON team has introduced a Migration Grant program, offering developers up to $50,000 in AD Credits to move their applications to the TON platform.

TVM Ventures has launched a $100 million fund to support TON network developers, particularly those working on decentralized finance (DeFi) projects. This investment signals a significant push to expand the platform's capabilities and attract new projects. Additionally, the gaming sector has shown interest in TON's infrastructure, with AKEDO Games securing funding from a group of investors led by Karatage.

Market analysts have identified key price levels for TON. To avoid putting $13.30 billion worth of tokens at risk of liquidation, TON needs to maintain a price above $2. A consistent close above the $4.50 threshold could indicate the start of a new upward price movement. Currently, TON is trading below the $4.50 support level, which had held since May 2024.

The broader cryptocurrency market context shows Bitcoin trading near $96,177, with its price action influencing alternative cryptocurrencies like TON. The total market capitalization for alternative cryptocurrencies (excluding Bitcoin) faces pressure near the $1 trillion mark.

The TON ecosystem has faced challenges in recent months, including the reported arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France last year. Despite these obstacles, development activity has continued, focusing on creating scalable DeFi projects. Trading data indicates that large holders, or "whales," have not been aggressively accumulating TON during the recent price correction, contrasting with historical patterns during previous market downturns.

The network's technical fundamentals remain