Telegram applies for .gram top-level domain to expand web services

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has formally applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to operate the ‘.gram’ top-level domain (TLD). If approved, the move would allow the platform’s billion-plus users to secure personalized web addresses, such as ‘username.gram’.

Beyond simple identity, the initiative aims to integrate web hosting directly into the Telegram ecosystem. Users could potentially create interactive websites using artificial intelligence by providing a single natural-language prompt. This strategy could transform Telegram from a messaging service into a broader piece of internet infrastructure, bridging profiles, Mini Apps, and digital wallets like The Open Network (TON).

The application follows the close of ICANN’s 2026 new gTLD application window. Approval is not guaranteed, as the request must undergo rigorous technical, financial, and operational evaluations, as well as a period for public and governmental objections. If successful, the rollout of the ‘.gram’ registry could occur as early as late 2027 or 2028.