TON Foundation Aligns for Growth with New Leadership Structure

Zug, Switzerland — August 20, 2025 — In a significant leadership update, the TON Foundation (The Open Network Foundation), a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the TON blockchain ecosystem, has elevated Maximilian ("Max") Crown to the position of President while maintaining his role as CEO. This leadership consolidation follows Manuel Stotz’s decision to step down as President of the Board to concentrate on his new role as Executive Chairman of TON Strategy Co. (formerly Verb Technology Company). The move highlights the Foundation’s ongoing evolution as it seeks to balance governance, global expansion, and ecosystem growth in the rapidly shifting blockchain landscape.

A Leadership Evolution Rooted in Trust

Earlier this year, Max Crown was appointed as CEO amid broader organizational restructuring within the Foundation. His new dual role as President and CEO underscores the board's confidence in his leadership vision and cements his influence over the Foundation’s strategic direction. This transition represents not just a passing of the torch but also a reaffirmation of the Foundation’s goal to become one of the most developer- and community-friendly blockchain networks in the world.

Crown, co-founder of MoonPay, brings a successful track record in scaling tech platforms and bridging traditional finance with digital assets. His leadership style, marked by pragmatic execution and community engagement, is expected to align TON’s ambitions with tangible outcomes. Upon accepting the expanded role, he remarked:

“It’s an honour to take on this expanded role and continue building on the incredible foundation Manny helped establish… I’m excited to lead this next chapter alongside our community and partners.”

Manuel Stotz’s Continued Influence

Though stepping down as President of the Foundation, Manuel Stotz remains a pivotal figure in the TON ecosystem. As Executive Chairman of TON Strategy Co., he will help guide the integration of Toncoin ($TON) into the broader financial infrastructure—leveraging the momentum built under his tenure, including a recent $558 million PIPE transaction. Stotz’s transition reflects his long-term vision of positioning Toncoin not just as a digital asset but as a key player in the global financial system.

During his leadership, the Foundation celebrated major milestones: securing institutional backing for Toncoin valuing at $400 million, facilitating the U.S. launch of the TON Wallet, and reinforcing developer initiatives across the ecosystem. These achievements laid the groundwork for TON to become a blockchain with mainstream adoption potential—especially through its deep integration with Telegram’s global platform.

Charting the Path Forward

Max Crown’s consolidation of leadership signals a clear and unified strategy for the Foundation. His mandate extends beyond governance—toward execution, innovation, and ecosystem sustainability. Key priorities moving forward include:

  • Empowering Builders: Supporting developers, creators, and businesses building atop TON across decentralized finance, gaming, and digital ownership.

  • Strengthening Adoption: Driving strategic partnerships, grant programs, and technical support to expand real-world usage of TON applications.

  • Leveraging Telegram: Harnessing the exclusive partnership with Telegram—providing access to its vast one-billion-user base—to boost TON’s reach, accessibility, and network effects.

This roadmap reflects TON’s unique advantage: combining blockchain innovation with an existing global user ecosystem.

About TON Foundation

Founded in Switzerland in 2023, the TON Foundation operates as a non-profit, community-driven entity that supports protocol development and ecosystem growth. Unlike centralized blockchain projects, the Foundation embraces decentralization in governance, ensuring that the ecosystem evolves through open collaboration, grant programs, and community contributions. While aligned with TON’s overarching mission, the Foundation maintains operational independence, giving builders and partners confidence in its long-term stability.

The Road Ahead for TON

Max Crown’s promotion to President and CEO marks more than a leadership change—it signals TON Foundation’s intent to unify its vision and execution under one leader while still benefiting from Manuel Stotz’s strategic oversight. With Crown’s proven track record of scaling fintech platforms and Stotz’s continued influence, TON is well-positioned to accelerate its evolution across decentralized finance, digital assets, and global blockchain adoption.

As blockchain ecosystems mature, the combination of strong governance, institutional trust, and mainstream accessibility—especially through Telegram’s one-billion-user community—places TON in a unique position to become one of the most widely adopted blockchain networks in the world.


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