The Open Network (TON), an independent layer-1 blockchain closely linked to the Telegram messaging platform, encountered a temporary outage on June 1, 2025, which interrupted block production. The development team identified the problem at 12:51 UTC and resolved it roughly 40 minutes later by deploying a quick fix that involved updating a limited number of master chain validators. The root cause was traced to an error in the processing of the masterchain dispatch queue.
TON’s developers reassured users that no funds were compromised during the downtime and that transactions submitted while the network was offline remained secure and intact. This incident highlights the technical challenges faced by high-throughput, fast blockchains, where increased complexity can occasionally lead to brief service interruptions. Such outages, while disruptive, are becoming a more common aspect of evolving blockchain infrastructures and may influence user confidence in cryptocurrency networks.
Background: Previous Outages Linked to DOGS Memecoin Demand
TON has experienced similar interruptions in the past year, notably in August 2024, when surges in demand for the DOGS memecoin caused network congestion severe enough to halt block production multiple times. The first outage on August 27 stopped block creation at workchain block 45,341,899 and lasted several hours until validators reset their nodes to restore consensus. A brief recovery was followed by another crash due to continued high traffic from DOGS memecoin minting. Another outage occurred on August 28, lasting about six hours before normal operations resumed.
Continued Growth and Institutional Confidence
Despite these technical setbacks, TON has maintained strong momentum in attracting both retail users and institutional investors. In March 2025, the TON Foundation secured $400 million in funding from prominent venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital, Draper Associates, CoinFund, and SkyBridge. This significant capital injection underscores confidence in TON’s technology and its strategic partnership with Telegram, which integrates TON as the exclusive blockchain for Telegram’s Mini Apps Ecosystem, leveraging Telegram’s vast user base of over 1 billion monthly active users.
Outlook
The recent outage and past incidents underscore the necessity of ongoing network maintenance, monitoring, and rapid response capabilities to uphold blockchain reliability. TON’s swift resolution of the masterchain dispatch queue error demonstrates its commitment to operational resilience. As blockchain networks grow in complexity, such proactive measures will be essential to sustain user trust and support the broader adoption of blockchain-based applications, particularly in ecosystems tied to major platforms like Telegram.
In summary, TON’s brief outage on June 1 was effectively managed without loss of user assets, reflecting both the challenges and the maturity of high-performance blockchain networks navigating real-world demands and growth.
