Telegram-backed Cocoon goes live, now letting GPU owners earn crypto for AI compute

Telegram founder Pavel Durov confirmed on Sunday that Cocoon, a decentralized confidential compute network built on the TON blockchain to process AI requests with complete user privacy protection, is now live.

Also known as the Confidential Compute Open Network, Cocoon allows anyone with a GPU to earn crypto by running AI models for applications that require privacy. Durov stated that some GPU owners have already contributed their computing power to AI tasks while earning TON tokens.

Cocoon processes AI requests from Telegram users with full confidentiality, positioning itself as an alternative to centralized AI providers that cannot guarantee data privacy. The network connects GPU providers with developers, ensuring private, verifiable, and attested model execution through Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), such as Intel TDX.

Telegram serves as Cocoon’s first major customer, integrating the network’s confidential AI capabilities to support private user interactions.

Durov said previously that Telegram would heavily promote the network and act as its initial demand engine as Cocoon onboards GPU providers and application developers across the TON ecosystem.

TON powers Telegram’s in-app economy, supporting features like creator payouts and ad payments.