TON Proxy

TON Proxy is a decentralized system of proxy servers built on the TON blockchain. It creates a self‑organizing network that encrypts traffic between a user and the target resource, allowing private and unrestricted access to .ton sites.

How TON Proxy works#

The user sends a request to a web resource (regular URL or a .ton domain).
The request is encrypted using the I2P method.
The encrypted packet is routed to the nearest TON proxy node.
The node forwards the packet to the requested resource.
The response is encrypted by the remote server, returned to the proxy node, decrypted, and sent back to the user.

Each proxy node can act as both sender and receiver, forming a mesh network without a single point of failure.

Advantages#

Hides the user’s IP address from the destination site.
Encrypts transmitted data end‑to‑end.
Bypasses regional blocks and censorship.

Limitations#

Routing through an extra node can increase latency and reduce throughput.
Some websites with aggressive anti‑bot measures may be inaccessible.
Manual configuration is required unless a compatible wallet or browser extension is used.

Connecting to TON Proxy#

Browser configuration

Manually set a SOCKS proxy in the browser using the address of a public TON proxy node. Detailed steps are available in the official documentation.

Wallet extension

The MyTonWallet browser extension includes built‑in support for TON Proxy, routing .ton traffic automatically without extra settings.

Centralized gateway

The service ton.run acts as a gateway that fetches .ton content and serves it over standard HTTPS. While convenient, it does not provide the privacy or censorship resistance of the decentralized network.

TON Browser

TON Browser, announced at The Gateway conference, integrates TON Proxy, TON DNS, and a built‑in wallet. Its release was scheduled for 2024; the current status should be verified.

Running your own proxy node#

Anyone can launch a TON proxy node by following the step‑by‑step guide on the official docs site. Benefits include:

Direct control over the exit point.
Ability to access .ton sites without third‑party services, useful for developers testing TON Sites.
Contributing to network capacity, which reduces latency for all users.

Running a node does not require validator staking and can be hosted on a standard VPS.

Use cases#

Private browsing of .ton sites.
Bypassing ISP or government blocks.
Developers testing and deploying TON Sites.