X @Balaji

Key Takeaways - VERB, a crypto treasury company holding over $500 million in TON, has launched, potentially significant due to Telegram's 1 billion users and TON's status as its official coin [1] - Telegram can now officially partner with TON due to the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency [2] Regulatory and Political Landscape - Telegram's initial TON project faced SEC injunctions, but regulatory shifts have allowed reintegration [3] - The French state's actions against Pavel Durov have been criticized for deterring investment and creating an unrealistic demand for a zero-crime digital environment [4][5] - The UAE intervened on Durov's behalf, leading to his release from house arrest [5] - States may be wary of leaders like Durov due to their growing influence and potential to challenge established power structures [6][7] Future Potential - The fusion of messaging apps and cryptocurrency could create a digital economy beyond bureaucratic control [8] - Telegram and TON envision a "cloud country" or "network state," leveraging Telegram's user base and TON's blockchain technology [10][11] - TON is described as the economic backbone of Telegram, similar to a national currency powering a country's economy [11]