Pavel Durov, the visionary founder of Telegram, recently unveiled a groundbreaking decentralized artificial intelligence (AI) network named Cocoon, or the Confidential Compute Open Network. This innovative project is built upon The Open Network (TON), a prominent layer-1 blockchain intrinsically linked to Telegram’s messaging platform.
Durov’s announcement, made at the Blockchain Life 2025 event in Abu Dhabi, underscored his deep concerns regarding the potential misuse of data by centralized AI providers. He emphasized that Cocoon’s fundamental goal is to deliver powerful AI tools while rigorously safeguarding user privacy. This initiative represents Telegram’s latest strategic move to deepen its engagement within the blockchain ecosystem, firmly positioning itself at the exciting crossroads of AI and decentralization.
Empowering Users: Earn Toncoin by Contributing GPU Power
A core feature of the Cocoon network is its reward system: users can earn Toncoin, TON’s native cryptocurrency, by dedicating their graphics processing units (GPUs) to contribute computing power to the network under Cocoon. Durov highlighted that this model is designed to ensure users retain complete ownership of their digital data and activity, preventing it from being appropriated by large AI platforms. He passionately advocated for decentralized AI as a crucial mechanism for protecting human freedom, noting a noticeable erosion of digital privacy over the past two decades.
Durov’s sentiments resonate with a growing chorus of developers and privacy advocates who increasingly see centralized AI systems as vulnerable to exploitation. David Holtzman, Chief Strategy Officer at Naoris, a decentralized cybersecurity protocol, reinforced this view in a statement to Cointelegraph. He explained that concentrating data storage among a few major providers dramatically escalates the risks of data breaches and manipulation.
Holtzman further elaborated that the inherent possibility for service providers to modify or distort data in real-time underscores the urgent need for transparent systems founded on decentralized ledgers.
Blockchain technology offers a powerful solution by making AI-generated data verifiable and tamper-proof. By immutably recording data’s origin and movement on a distributed ledger, blockchain significantly reduces the chances of censorship or the spread of misinformation, thereby providing unalterable proof of data integrity.
Telegram is no stranger to blockchain innovation. The platform has already ventured into blockchain applications with initiatives such as the launch of DOGS Coin, a popular memecoin introduced within the Telegram ecosystem. This past project clearly demonstrated the company’s expanding commitment to Web3 innovation and its remarkable ability to mobilize its vast user base around new decentralized ventures, including discussions around topics like Bitcoin’s market pressure amidst Fed caution and liquidations, ASIC’s crypto regulations, and proposals for CBDC bans or Bitcoin reserves.
With Cocoon, Telegram continues to build upon this robust foundation. The project aims to solidify Telegram’s standing as a leading force in the burgeoning convergence of AI, blockchain technology, and the critical domain of digital privacy.