Telegram @crypto Username Receives $25M Offer Amid Digital Identity Surge

A Telegram user who bought the @crypto username for $350,000 in 2023 has reportedly received a $25 million offer to sell it, marking a 70-fold increase in value. The app’s founder, Pavel Durov, highlighted that Telegram usernames are tokenized on the TON blockchain, making each one unique, non-replicable, and fully owned by users without intermediaries or risk of confiscation. This direct digital ownership has made such usernames highly valuable, with @crypto becoming the most expensive username offer this year, surpassing previous high-value names like @news and @auto. The rising valuation of @crypto reflects the growing significance of digital assets and branding opportunities within Telegram's ecosystem. TON, the blockchain securing these usernames, has also seen a positive price surge recently, partly driven by new benefits for TON holders such as a golden visa offer in the UAE. However, Telegram continues to face legal challenges, including investigations by French authorities over accusations related to criminal activity on its platform.