Telegram has launched a new Cocoon decentralized AI network that allows users to enjoy high-performance AI services while protecting their privacy through confidential computing and GPU sharing, and promotes new growth for the TON ecosystem.
Cocoon Release Background: Why does Telegram want to create a decentralized AI?
With the popularity of AI, a large amount of data needs to be processed in the cloud, but centralized services have long faced three major issues:
- Privacy risks - Data uploaded to centralized servers may be recorded or misused.
- High computing power costs —— GPU supply is tight, and AI inference costs continue to rise.
- Resource monopoly - large tech companies control most of the global computing power.
Telegram launches Cocoon, aiming to create an AI computing network that everyone can participate in:
- User data is fully encrypted
- GPU resources come from individuals and institutions around the world.
- Incentives and settlements through the TON blockchain
This is an “AI Computing version of BitTorrent,” which not only changes the way computing power is provided but also changes the standards for privacy protection.
The core technology and advantages of Cocoon
The highlight of Cocoon is not just “decentralized computing power”, but rather the combination of multiple cutting-edge technologies:
1. Confidential Computing
All AI reasoning runs in a secure execution environment, with inputs and outputs always encrypted, and computing power providers cannot view user data.
2. Decentralized GPU Network
Anyone can connect their NVIDIA GPU to the network and immediately become a computing power node.
3.TON blockchain settlement
After the inference task is completed, the TON rewards will be automatically settled by the on-chain smart contract, which is transparent, verifiable, and immutable.
4. Developers can call AI inference through API / SDK.
It allows:
- Large AI companies deploy large models
- Small and medium teams use low-cost inference
- Direct access to Telegram Bot and Mini App
Cocoon is a fully open, scalable, and programmable AI infrastructure.
How does GPU participate in sharing? Analysis of the TON incentive mechanism
For GPU resource providers, Cocoon offers a “zero-threshold opportunity to earn TON:”
Participation method:
- Submit hardware and bandwidth information
- Ensure the equipment is online
- You can accept orders after the review is approved.
Reward Mode:
TON will be automatically calculated based on the following factors:
- The model and computing power of the GPU
- Online Duration
- Task Completion Rate
- Delay and performance
For high-end cards like RTX 4090 / H100, the expected earnings will be quite considerable.
As the TON ecosystem expands, this may create a new “computing power mining” economy.
What changes will the Telegram ecosystem undergo due to Cocoon?
The launch of Cocoon will usher Telegram into a new era of “super apps + AI.”
1.Telegram Bot ecosystem upgrade
AI Bot can directly access decentralized computing power, resulting in lower costs and greater capabilities.
2. Mini App can integrate AI features.
Developers can deploy smart functionalities without setting up expensive servers, such as:
- AI translation
- AI image generation
- AI Chat/Assistant
- User Private Data Analysis
3. Telegram becomes an AI distribution entry point
With a global user base of 900 million, Cocoon’s implementation speed may far exceed that of other AI projects.
TON price performance and market expectations
After the announcement of Cocoon, TON experienced a noticeable rise, and the market generally believes that:
- TON will become the “fuel” of the AI economy.
- Each inference will consume TON
- GPU nodes require TON collateral
- Telegram’s global users will accelerate the use cases of TON.
In other words, Cocoon = the true value capture mechanism of TON.
The market is experiencing strong bullish sentiment, especially as the “AI + blockchain” narrative is in a new cycle, with TON being seen as one of the platforms that will benefit the most.
The competitive landscape of decentralized AI
Cocoon is not the only project focused on decentralized AI, but it possesses two rare advantages:
1. The huge user base of Telegram
This is a resource that no Web3 AI project can replicate.
2. The high-speed network performance of TON
The high throughput and low cost of TON are very suitable for real-time AI inference settlement with high performance requirements.
Therefore, many analysts believe that Cocoon will become a leading infrastructure for decentralized AI in the future.
Risks, Challenges, and Future Outlook
Despite the huge prospects, Cocoon still faces some real issues:
- The stability of the GPU distributed network still needs to be verified.
- Whether large-scale inference can maintain low latency remains unknown.
- Confidential computing relies on hardware vendor support, and a mature ecosystem takes time.
- Attracting enough developers is the biggest challenge in the early stages.
But if Telegram can continue to drive integration, Cocoon could become one of the most important decentralized infrastructures in the future AI world.
Summary
The launch of Cocoon not only signifies Telegram’s official entry into the AI computing industry, but also marks the beginning of a significant migration in the AI world from centralization to decentralization. It could bring long-term value growth for TON, provide developers with low-cost computing power, and offer new economic opportunities for ordinary GPU users.
With the triple support of “AI + confidential computing + blockchain”, Cocoon is likely to become one of the most noteworthy Web3 technologies in 2025.
* The information is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice or any other recommendation of any sort offered or endorsed by Gate.
