By stepping back in as the largest validator and primary driving force, Telegram is consolidating institutional control over a network it once publicly stepped away from.

TON Foundation was established as an independent non-profit body to steward TON's development after Telegram distanced itself from the project in 2020 following the SEC settlement.

TON is now, structurally, Telegram's blockchain. The Foundation that was created to provide institutional distance has been sidelined.