TON Core 2025: Development Vector and Key Initiatives
TON Core has presented its Roadmap for the first half of 2025, introducing large-scale updates aimed at improving performance, security, and user experience. In this article, we will explore the key initiatives, including the Accelerator Mainnet Upgrade, validator tools, enhanced APIs, and the implementation of Layer 2 solutions.
Accelerator Mainnet Upgrade: The Path to Infinite Sharding
For over a year and a half, the TON Core team has been working on modernizing the network to implement the architectural principles outlined in the original Whitepaper. This upgrade, named Accelerator, achieved record-breaking performance during testnet trials, and a phased rollout to the mainnet is now underway.
A key improvement is the optimization of shard tracking. Nodes will now track only the masterchain and specific shard segments instead of all shards, significantly improving efficiency. Additionally, the validation process will be split into two components: collators, responsible for collecting transactions and forming blocks, and validators, which verify and approve them. This division ensures a more balanced workload and enhances network stability even under heavy traffic.
These enhancements will enable infinite sharding, allowing the blockchain to handle increasing volumes of data without compromising stability. Resource demands will also decrease, making node operations more efficient and improving query processing speeds. Upon full implementation, users can expect consistent transaction processing times regardless of network load.
Validator Tools: Reliability and Convenience
The stability of the blockchain directly depends on the efficient performance of validators. TON Core is introducing new tools to simplify node management and improve response times. MyTonCtrl will gain a backup recovery feature, allowing validators to quickly migrate to another server in case of failure. Additionally, Telegram bots will notify validators about penalties, required updates, and critical network events.
A major addition will be a web dashboard, enabling validators to monitor node performance, track software updates, and stay informed about voting processes. Strengthening penalty mechanisms will encourage validators to meet block creation requirements, with stricter sanctions for non-compliance. TON Core is also working on a new version of TON Proxy, aimed at enhancing protection against DDoS attacks and increasing resilience to external threats.
Improving User Experience (UX)
TON Core is actively working on enhancing the user experience by collaborating with key ecosystem projects such as DeDust, MyTonWallet, TonScan.org, ton.diamonds, and stakee. The team is developing guidelines aimed at simplifying user interactions with the blockchain, focusing on data readability, instant action visualization, and synchronization across various services.
Additionally, plans include standardizing pending transaction identifiers and integrating these solutions into the Toncenter API, making blockchain interactions more intuitive and seamless.
To further improve blockchain interactions, TON Core is updating its API to be more functional and easier to integrate into applications. The enhanced Traces API will provide better tracking of transaction chains, while the Actions API will present complex operations in a user-friendly format.
Future plans involve introducing Pending API, which will provide real-time insights into pending transactions, and Emulation API, allowing users to predict transaction outcomes before execution. These enhancements will offer developers greater flexibility, unlocking new opportunities for building on the TON blockchain.
Layer 2: Instant Transfers and New Opportunities
To support high-frequency transactions such as trading and gaming, TON Core is introducing the Payment Network, a Layer 2 solution based on payment channels. This system will enable users to perform instant transfers with minimal fees and facilitate seamless asset swaps.
Currently, the project is in the beta testing phase, with future plans to include support for Jettons and expanded exchange capabilities. These enhancements will significantly improve transaction efficiency and user experience within the TON ecosystem.
Contests, Standardization, and Tool Development
TON Core is actively engaging developers by organizing contests aimed at enhancing and optimizing the TON core components. These initiatives create new opportunities for talented professionals and foster innovation within the ecosystem.
Additionally, efforts are underway to standardize mnemonic phrases for TON wallets to address cross-chain compatibility issues. As part of this initiative, an audit of the multiple account generation algorithm proposed by the Tonkeeper team is planned, with implementation in the ecosystem contingent on successful testing.
A key focus remains the development of a precompiled Jetton FunC smart contract, which will significantly reduce fees and simplify interactions with tokens within the network.
Programming Development: TOLK 1.0
TON Core is actively developing TOLK 1.0, a new version of the programming language designed to simplify smart contract creation and enhance security. Key improvements include an extended type system, automatic structure serialization, and the introduction of pattern-matching capabilities. These features will enable greater standardization and interoperability within the ecosystem.
Presented by Aleksandr Kirsanov at The Gateway 2024, TOLK 1.0 is being developed alongside tools such as IntelliJ IDEA and VS Code plugins, as well as Blueprint integration. The final version will support contract ABI and serve as a cornerstone for the TON ecosystem's growth.
BTC Teleport: New Horizons for Cross-Chain Transactions
One of the key areas of development remains the integration of Bitcoin into the TON ecosystem. Developed by the third-party team RSquad, the BTC Teleport project will allow users to transfer Bitcoin to TON securely and without intermediaries. The TON Core team is actively supporting this initiative by assisting with technical integration and preparing the network infrastructure for a full-scale launch.
Conclusion
TON Core continues to move forward, shaping an environment where blockchain seamlessly integrates into the digital landscape. Architectural improvements and new tools help the ecosystem adapt to challenges and discover innovative solutions. Development spans various areas, from process optimization to establishing new interaction standards. Where will this journey lead? Perhaps decentralized technologies will quietly blend into everyday life, or they may open up entirely new horizons that are difficult to imagine today.