A complete guide to using TON in decentralised finance applications.

The open network and the role of TON Swap in decentralised finance

Decentralised finance is evolving at a rapid pace, with new blockchain networks emerging to meet the demand for faster transactions, lower fees, and more versatile decentralised applications. One blockchain that has captured the attention of developers, traders, and investors worldwide is The Open Network (TON).

Originally conceptualised by the team behind Telegram, TON was designed to integrate seamlessly into the messaging platform, creating a smooth user experience that merges communication with blockchain-powered services. Today, TON is widely recognised for its exceptional transaction speeds, minimal costs, and growing footprint in the DeFi sector.

At the centre of this expansion is TON Swap, a cross-chain decentralised exchange (DEX) powered by Symbiosis Finance. This tool allows anyone to trade TON against a range of other assets in seconds, with no need for traditional identity checks. By combining TON’s network efficiency with Symbiosis’s liquidity aggregation technology, TON Swap delivers a practical, secure, and cost-effective way to participate in the decentralised economy.

Say Hi, Trezor Safe 5

Crypto security & convenience in a gorgeous design. The EAL6+ Secure Element adds asset protection while the bright, vibrant color touchscreen & haptic feedback bring a new level to your crypto experience.

A brief history of the Open Network

The Open Network was first announced in 2018 as the Telegram Open Network, with the ambitious goal of enabling blockchain transactions to run at internet speed. Legal challenges meant Telegram could not proceed directly with the launch, but the technology was picked up and advanced by an open-source community. Since then, TON has evolved into a fully decentralised layer-1 blockchain, supported by validators, developers, and an active global user base.

One of TON’s defining features is its integration with Telegram, which remains one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world. This integration makes wallet creation, token transfers, and decentralised applications accessible to everyday users without requiring them to leave the app. The blockchain’s architecture supports millions of transactions per second in theory, with practical throughput that comfortably exceeds many established networks, and with transaction fees measured in fractions of a cent.

For developers, TON offers an attractive environment for building decentralised finance applications, gaming platforms, NFT marketplaces, and more. Its interoperability with other chains, combined with Telegram’s massive audience, positions TON as a key player in bringing DeFi into mainstream use.

The benefits of TON Swap on Symbiosis Finance

Symbiosis Finance is a decentralised liquidity aggregation protocol that connects different blockchains, enabling cross-chain token swaps without the need for custodial intermediaries. The TON Swap feature uses this infrastructure to give traders a fast, simple, and permissionless way to exchange TON with other digital assets.

Key advantages of using TON Swap include

No KYC requirements

Users do not need to register accounts, provide personal identification, or undergo lengthy verification steps. Transactions are handled entirely on-chain, preserving privacy while ensuring security.

Fast execution

Thanks to TON’s high throughput and Symbiosis’s optimised routing engine, swaps typically complete in seconds.

Low transaction costs

TON’s minimal network fees mean that even small trades remain cost-effective.

Cross-chain capabilities

Users can swap TON for tokens on other blockchains, such as Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, or Polygon, without going through multiple exchanges or wrapping tokens manually.

Security and transparency

All swaps are executed through smart contracts, and liquidity sourcing is transparent.

These features make TON Swap an ideal tool for both casual traders looking for quick conversions and experienced DeFi participants seeking to rebalance portfolios across multiple blockchains.

How TON Swap works

Using TON Swap on Symbiosis Finance is straightforward. A user connects their wallet (such as Tonkeeper or another TON-compatible wallet) to the Symbiosis platform, selects the token pair they want to trade, and confirms the transaction. Symbiosis automatically sources the best available liquidity across decentralised exchanges, executes the swap, and delivers the output tokens directly to the user’s wallet.

Because the process is fully decentralised, there is no need for deposits to a centralised exchange, eliminating custodial risk. Additionally, the cross-chain nature of Symbiosis means that a TON holder could, for example, swap directly into an ERC-20 token on Ethereum without having to interact with multiple platforms.

For users who prioritise speed, privacy, and low fees, this represents a significant improvement over traditional centralised exchange workflows.

Practical example: swapping TON to USDT

One of the most common use cases for TON Swap is converting TON into a stablecoin like Tether (USDT). This can be achieved through the Swap TON to USDT feature on Symbiosis Finance, which allows the trade to be executed in a matter of seconds.

Trezor Safe 5

Ultimate convenience with a vibrant color touchscreen & confirmation haptic feedback. Experience crypto security on an entirely new level.

Enhanced usability with a 1.54” touchscreen
Secure Element, PIN, passphrase protected
Crypto management with the Trezor Suite app

There are several scenarios where this may be useful

Locking in profits

If the price of TON has increased significantly, selling into USDT allows traders to secure gains without fully exiting the crypto market.

Reducing volatility exposure

Stablecoins like USDT are pegged to the US dollar, providing a more predictable value compared to the often volatile price movements of cryptocurrencies.

Portfolio balancing

Converting a portion of holdings into USDT can help maintain a desired asset allocation, especially for those using DeFi strategies that require stable collateral.

Accessing other blockchain ecosystems

Since USDT is available on multiple blockchains, swapping TON for USDT can be a stepping stone to interacting with DeFi protocols on Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, or Polygon.

The transaction process remains the same as any other TON Swap connect the wallet, choose TON as the input and USDT as the output, confirm the swap, and receive the stablecoins directly in the chosen wallet. This efficiency allows traders to react quickly to market conditions without unnecessary delays or high transaction costs.

Trezor Safe 3

Easy & simple crypto security & management with Secure Element protection, open-source design, and on-device confirmation.

0.96″ Monochromatic OLED screen
Passphrase- & PIN-entry protection
Coin management in Trezor Suite app

Why TON matters in the future of decentralised finance

TON’s design addresses some of the most pressing challenges in decentralised finance today scalability, accessibility, and cost-efficiency. While many blockchains can support complex DeFi protocols, they often struggle with network congestion, high fees, or limited user-friendly integration. TON, by contrast, combines technical scalability with mainstream reach through Telegram, lowering the barrier to entry for millions of potential users.

Its compatibility with decentralised liquidity aggregation platforms like Symbiosis Finance further expands its utility. Traders and investors are not locked into the TON ecosystem but can move assets seamlessly across blockchains, participate in yield farming, provide liquidity, or trade on other DEXes all without compromising control over their private keys.

As the decentralised finance sector grows, interoperability will remain a critical factor. Platforms that can connect different networks and allow capital to flow freely between them are positioned to capture significant user adoption. TON and Symbiosis together are delivering on this vision by making cross-chain DeFi practical, fast, and affordable.

Key resources for TON users

For those seeking to explore TON in more depth, the official TON website provides technical documentation, development resources, and updates on ecosystem projects. Market data, price charts, and historical performance can be found on TON’s CoinMarketCap page. These sources offer valuable insights for both beginners learning the basics of the blockchain and experienced traders tracking its market performance.

Symbiosis Finance also maintains detailed documentation explaining its cross-chain architecture, smart contract functions, and liquidity aggregation process. This is useful for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics behind TON Swap or integrate Symbiosis into their own DeFi strategies.

Bringing speed, access, and interoperability to the heart of DeFi

The combination of The Open Network’s speed, low fees, and mass-market integration with Telegram, alongside Symbiosis Finance’s cross-chain liquidity engine, represents a powerful development in decentralised finance. Tools like TON Swap enable everyday users and experienced traders alike to move assets quickly, securely, and cost-effectively all without the friction of traditional financial systems.

Whether the goal is to explore DeFi applications, secure profits, or diversify holdings, TON and Symbiosis provide the technical foundation to do so with minimal complexity. As decentralised finance continues to mature, these types of interoperable solutions are likely to define the next generation of blockchain-powered financial services.

________________________