TON has announced that it will retire the Toncoin Bridge on May 10, 2025, ending the ability to bridge Toncoin between the TON network and Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain. After this date, users will no longer be able to transfer Toncoin between these networks. However, users who have already made transfers will still be able to claim their assets after the deadline.
For now, users can still bridge Toncoin into the TON network, but this feature will also be phased out in the near future, with further updates to follow.
Why Is the Bridge Being Retired?
The Toncoin Bridge played a crucial role in TON’s early growth, particularly when Toncoin was not yet available on centralized exchanges (CEXs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) was not fully established within the TON ecosystem. The bridge enabled users to move Toncoin to Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain, allowing them to trade it on decentralized platforms like Uniswap and PancakeSwap.
Even after Toncoin became available on CEXs, the bridge remained a key tool for accessing decentralized exchanges (DEXs) until TON developed its own DeFi infrastructure. The bridge also facilitated the use of wrapped assets like jUSDT.
However, as the TON ecosystem has matured, the need for the bridge has diminished. TON is now collaborating with cross-chain platforms such as LayerZero, Stargate, and Symbiosis, and its DeFi ecosystem is thriving, making the bridge less essential.
Impact on Users
The retirement of the Toncoin Bridge reflects TON’s evolution as a network. With a focus on newer and more scalable cross-chain solutions, TON aims to offer more secure and seamless experiences for users. While the bridge is being retired, users who have already bridged their Toncoin to Ethereum or BNB Smart Chain will still be able to claim their assets after May 10. The ability to bridge Toncoin into TON will also be phased out, with more updates expected in the coming months.
A Look Back at the Bridge’s Legacy
The Toncoin Bridge has been integral to TON’s development, with the following milestones:
Launch Dates:
Toncoin Ethereum Bridge (v1): August 2021
Toncoin BNB Smart Chain Bridge (v2): October 2021
Toncoin Ethereum Bridge (v3): April 2023
Bridge Stats:
31,893 transfers processed
101,228,451 TON bridged to Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain
Wrapped Toncoin Activity:
Ethereum: 35,694 holders, over 460,000 transactions
BNB Smart Chain: 113,495 holders, over 2.6 million transactions
As TON transitions to more advanced cross-chain solutions, the bridge oracles will begin withdrawing their staked TON, but the network’s functionality will remain intact. Expect additional updates on token transfers and new cross-chain initiatives soon.
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