The Open Network (TON) Is Back Online After Experiencing a Second Outage Today, All Because of a Single Token

According to a post from TON Status, block production issues began at 19:19 UTC due to heavy network load caused by the minting of DOGS tokens.

The Open Network (TON) experienced a second outage today due to the heavy network load caused by the minting of DOGS tokens, according to an update from TON Status.

Block production issues began at 19:19 UTC and appear to be related to the minting of the DOGS token. TON Core is currently working on resolving the issue and will provide further updates as the situation evolves.

User cryptoassets are not affected by the disruption.

DOGS is a memecoin that was launched on the TON blockchain in July 2024 and is known as the “most Telegram-native memecoin.” It was inspired by Spotty, a mascot associated with Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, who was arrested in France on August 24 and released today.

The launch of the coin caused significant congestion on the TON network due to high user interest.

For instance, the DOGS Community on Telegram has gained nearly 17 million subscribers in less than two months. The performance of its official account on X is even more remarkable, having amassed nearly 4 million followers since its first post in early July.

The admins behind the DOGS Community on Telegram sent a message to members, informing them that the TON blockchain is experiencing an “unprecedented load.”

Pavel Durov Charged with All Crimes Imaginable

The charges against Durov are extensive. They include complicity in managing an online platform for illegal transactions, refusal to cooperate with authorities, fraud, facilitating organized crime through the application, and complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material. They even added drug trafficking to the list.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau ordered Durov to pay a bail of €5M (around AU$8.19M), and he must check in at a police station twice a week (he is not permitted to leave France as he is under investigation).

Toncoin (TON), TON’s native currency, experienced a decline following Durov’s arrest, dropping more than 20% in just two days. It is currently trading at US$5.52 (AU$8.14), showing a slight uptick of 1.30% following Durov’s release.