Toncoin Raises $400M; Kraken’s Biggest Crypto Deal

The Rise of Toncoin: A Closer Look at the Cryptocurrency’s Recent Surge

Introduction

In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, one name has been making waves recently: Toncoin (TON). This digital currency has witnessed a remarkable price surge of over 50% in the past week, fueled by news of its founder, Pavel Durov, being granted permission to leave Russia and resume his involvement in the project. This comes on the heels of a significant $400 million investment from venture capital (VC) firms, which has propelled Toncoin’s price to new heights. Let’s delve into the world of Toncoin, explore its recent surge, and uncover what this means for the broader cryptocurrency market.

What is Toncoin?

At its core, Toncoin is the native cryptocurrency of the TON blockchain, originally developed by Telegram as part of its messaging app. However, following a legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Telegram was forced to abandon the project. In May 2020, the TON community launched an independent version of the blockchain, initially named Free TON, which later rebranded to TON. Toncoin serves as the primary means of payment on the TON blockchain and can also be traded on various cryptocurrency exchanges.

VC Investments and Toncoin’s Surge

Toncoin’s recent price surge can be attributed to a series of strategic investments by VC firms. In February 2025, a group of VCs invested over $400 million in Toncoin, marking one of the largest-ever crypto and traditional finance (tradfi) deals. The investment round was led by prominent VC firms such as Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Union Square Ventures, among others. This influx of capital has not only bolstered Toncoin’s price but also legitimized it as a serious player in the cryptocurrency market.

Impact on the Cryptocurrency Market

Toncoin’s recent surge carries significant implications for the cryptocurrency market as a whole. Here are a few key takeaways:

Growing VC Interest in Cryptocurrencies

Toncoin’s surge is a testament to the growing interest in the cryptocurrency market from VC firms. In recent years, VCs have been pouring billions of dollars into the crypto market, with investments in blockchain startups reaching over $17 billion in 2021 alone [1]. This trend is expected to continue, with VCs likely to invest even more in the coming years.

Maturing Cryptocurrency Market

Toncoin’s surge is also a sign of the maturing cryptocurrency market. In the past, the crypto market was dominated by speculative tokens and pump-and-dump schemes. However, there has been a shift towards user-driven application growth, as evidenced by the success of projects like Ethereum and Binance Coin. Toncoin’s surge is a continuation of this trend, with the cryptocurrency gaining popularity as a means of payment on the TON blockchain.

Conclusion

Toncoin’s recent surge is a clear indication of the growing maturity of the cryptocurrency market and the increasing interest from VC firms. As the market continues to evolve, we can expect to see more projects like Toncoin emerge and gain popularity. However, it’s crucial to remember that the cryptocurrency market remains highly volatile and unpredictable. Therefore, investors should always conduct thorough due diligence before investing in any cryptocurrency.

Sources

  • The Block)
  • Holder.io
  • CoinGecko
  • FXEmpire
  • CoinGecko
  • The Block
  • LinkedIn
  • Cryptechie
  • CoinLenta
  • Cryptonary