NEW: Telegram is seeking ICANN approval for .gram, which could let users turn handles into domains.

What happened

Telegram has formally applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) for a new top‑level domain called .gram, a move that would allow its users to convert their Telegram handles into web addresses.

Confirmed

Global impact / market context

If approved, Telegram users could create personalized .gram web domains, boosting the platform’s brand visibility and potentially generating new revenue streams from domain registrations, while enhancing user engagement through easier link sharing.

Analyst inference

The request comes as messaging apps compete for user attention and consider monetization options; similar domain initiatives by social platforms have added value for advertisers and developers, influencing the broader digital identity market.

Analyst inference

What to watch

1. ICANN’s decision timeline – watch for the committee’s evaluation and any objections, as approval or delay will directly affect when .gram domains become available. Analyst inference
2. Adoption rate – monitor how quickly Telegram users register .gram domains and whether the platform promotes them, impacting potential revenue and user growth. Analyst inference
3. Regulatory scrutiny – track any legal or policy concerns about trademark conflicts or misuse of personalized domains, which could shape the domain’s rules and market acceptance. Analyst inference

Evidence

• x.com