Telegram’s .gram Domain Bid Could Reshape Web3 Identity
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has submitted an application to operate the .gram top-level domain in ICANN’s 2026 application round, a move that could eventually turn the messaging app’s one billion users into owners of web addresses like yourname.gram. The application, first reported by Coinpedia Fintech News, is part of a broader push to merge Telegram’s username system with the open web.
The bid enters ICANN’s latest round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), which opened earlier this year. If approved, .gram would join a growing list of branded and niche domains, but its scale would be unusual: Telegram’s user base is larger than the population of most countries, giving the domain immediate critical mass.
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From Usernames to Web Addresses
Telegram has long treated usernames as a form of identity, with public handles like @username used for channels, groups, and personal accounts. The .gram domain would extend that concept to the web, allowing users to map their Telegram handle to a simple, memorable URL. Durov has previously described this as a step toward giving users a “digital passport” that works across platforms.
The technical mechanics are still unclear. Telegram could either operate .gram as a traditional DNS domain or integrate it with blockchain-based naming systems such as the Ethereum Name Service (ENS) or Unstoppable Domains. The latter would align with Durov’s history of supporting decentralized technologies, including the TON blockchain, which Telegram originally developed before handing it to the community.
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Industry observers note that the application itself does not guarantee approval. ICANN’s process includes public comment periods, background checks, and contractual negotiations, which can take 12 to 18 months or longer. Some applicants have faced delays or withdrawn due to costs — the application fee alone is $227,000, plus ongoing operational expenses.
What This Means for Web3 Identity
The .gram bid arrives at a time when Web3 identity is still searching for a killer use case. Blockchain domains have struggled to gain mainstream adoption, partly because they require users to understand wallets, seed phrases, and gas fees. A .gram domain could lower that barrier by letting Telegram users claim an address using an app they already know.
If Telegram integrates .gram with its existing username marketplace — where premium handles have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars — the domain could create a new asset class. Users might buy, sell, or rent .gram addresses, with Telegram taking a cut. The company has already experimented with username auctions on the TON blockchain, and a .gram domain could serve as the web-facing layer of that system.
There are also privacy and security considerations. Telegram usernames are public, but mapping them directly to web addresses could expose users to phishing or impersonation. ICANN requires registries to implement measures against domain abuse, and Telegram would need to demonstrate that it can handle disputes and takedown requests.
What to Watch Next
The immediate next step is ICANN’s public comment period, which typically opens within months of an application being submitted. Stakeholders — including governments, trademark holders, and civil society groups — will have a chance to voice concerns. If no major objections arise, .gram could move into the contracting phase by late 2027.
Telegram has not announced pricing or availability for .gram domains, but early speculation suggests existing username holders could get priority registration. The company has a track record of rewarding early adopters, and a first-come, first-served model would likely generate significant demand.
The broader implication is that messaging platforms are becoming identity providers. If .gram succeeds, it could encourage other apps — from WhatsApp to Discord — to pursue similar domain strategies, turning usernames into universal web identifiers. That would be a meaningful shift in how the internet handles identity, moving away from email-based logins toward platform-native addresses.
For now, the .gram application is a signal of intent rather than a finished product. The approval road is long, and the technical and regulatory hurdles are real. But if Durov pulls it off, Telegram’s usernames could become more than just handles — they could become the front door to the web.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The cryptocurrency and domain markets are volatile and uncertain; readers should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.
