Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov has announced a new decentralized AI network called Cocoon, built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain. The project, officially known as the Confidential Compute Open Network, aims to give users access to AI tools without compromising their personal data to centralized providers. The announcement was made at the Blockchain Life 2025 forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Decentralized AI for User Privacy
Cocoon is designed to let users contribute computing power from their graphics processing units (GPUs) to the network in exchange for Toncoin (TON), TON’s native cryptocurrency. By decentralizing AI computation, Cocoon ensures that sensitive user data remains private and is not stored or controlled by a central authority.
Durov emphasized the importance of this approach, stating: “Why is it important to do something this way as opposed to the centralized way that is sometimes more convenient? It is important because over the last 20 years, we’ve gradually been losing our digital freedoms.”
The initiative comes at a time when centralization in AI is under scrutiny. Centralized AI providers store vast amounts of user data, making it a prime target for hackers and malicious attacks. They could also manipulate algorithms or subtly alter information, potentially influencing public opinion without users even realizing it.
Blockchain as a Solution
By leveraging blockchain technology, Cocoon creates a decentralized ledger that records the origin and processing history of AI data. This ensures that outputs remain tamper-proof and verifiable, offering an immutable and provable chain of custody. The approach allows users to access AI-driven services while maintaining confidence in the integrity and privacy of the results.
David Holtzman, Chief Strategy Officer of the Naoris decentralized security protocol, explained that storing user data on centralized servers increases the risk of breaches, and blockchain’s transparency provides a safeguard against unauthorized manipulation.
Empowering Users and Protecting Freedom
Decentralized AI like Cocoon represents a shift in how digital services can be delivered. By giving users control over their data and contributions, Telegram aims to reduce reliance on corporate-controlled AI systems that may compromise privacy or censor content.
Cocoon also aligns with Durov’s broader vision of protecting digital freedom. Decentralized AI allows individuals to participate in AI-powered tasks while retaining sovereignty over their data. Users can choose to contribute computing resources, earn tokens, and interact with AI in a trustless, privacy-respecting environment.
Cocoon in the Broader Tech Landscape
The announcement highlights a growing trend in combining AI and blockchain. Decentralized AI networks are being explored to mitigate risks such as data breaches, algorithmic bias, and centralized control over critical digital services. By operating on TON, Telegram leverages an existing layer-1 blockchain infrastructure to create a scalable, secure, and privacy-first AI platform.
The project also demonstrates a strategic use of token incentives. Users are rewarded for sharing their computing resources, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem where AI services can grow without central oversight.
Looking Ahead
Cocoon is expected to serve as a foundational step toward decentralized AI applications that prioritize user privacy, security, and control. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, projects like Cocoon highlight the importance of designing systems that balance innovation with personal freedom.
Pavel Durov’s initiative signals a broader movement in the digital space: empowering users while decentralizing power and control from centralized entities. By combining blockchain with AI, Telegram is positioning itself at the forefront of privacy-conscious technology solutions.
In Durov’s words, the project is about more than technology: it is a response to the gradual erosion of digital freedom and an attempt to give users greater autonomy over how AI impacts their lives.
