Today, I want to share an important update about Diamonds VPN.

After careful consideration, I've decided to sunset the project. Diamonds VPN is no longer operating, new subscriptions have been disabled, and recent users who made payments have already been fully refunded.

This decision wasn't easy, but it was the right one.

I believe that shutting down a product is also part of building with integrity. That's why:

• New payments were disabled before announcing the shutdown
• Recent paying users were refunded
• The service is clearly marked as no longer operating

To everyone who tried Diamonds VPN, trusted it, or supported it in any way: thank you.

This is not the end of the journey, just the end of this chapter. Every project leaves lessons behind, and those lessons move forward with me into whatever comes next.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Carlos Lugones

As the founder of Diamonds VPN (formerly Connecton VPN, Lugo Network, and Lugodev VPN), it is my responsibility to inform you of the current situation: the project is no longer financially sustainable and cannot continue operating in its current form.

What happened

Approximately 1 year and 7 months ago, the investor who covered salaries and operational costs left the company. The Business Developer left as well, following internal disagreements.

At that time:

• We had around 10 employees, with significant payroll responsibilities.
• Sales were improving but not yet fully sustainable.
• The user base was around 100k people.

When funding disappeared, I faced a hard decision: shut everything down immediately, fire the team, refund users, and keep what remained; or continue operating to protect the team, our users, and the community that supported the product.

I chose to continue, even at the expense of my personal wellbeing.

Operating alone

Soon after, it became impossible to sustain payroll. I had to let half of the team go, then the rest.

From that moment on, I found myself completely alone.

For more than a year, I have been doing everything by myself: support, development, communications, sales, servers, incidents. Everything. If you contacted support in the past year, you were speaking directly to me. Every post you saw in social media, it was posted by me. The whole operation, just me.

Since the beginning, when the project was acquired by a board of executives from the TON ecosystem nearly four years ago, the company did not generate enough revenue. Most of the income had to be reinvested into servers, salaries, and operational costs. Because of this, the company was never able to reach sustainable profitability. I initially served as CTO, leading all the architecture and product development, and after the investors and partners left, I also assumed the role of CEO to keep the project running and begin its restructuring. I carried out a full rebranding, tripled sales within one month, and grew the user base from 100k to 300k users, but it still wasn’t enough.

Both as CTO and later as CEO, I did not receive a salary for years. I worked unpaid the entire time we had investors and a team, hoping that sales and recognition would eventually come. After they left, I was only able to pay myself a small amount on a couple of occasions during the last year, when sales briefly spiked. The highest salary I ever paid myself was 700 EUR.

Censorship, isolation, and lack of support

Massive censorship waves (especially in Russia) disrupted operations and led to a dramatic drop in sales. I had to address these issues alone.

Issues with data centers and providers affected the technical operation.

I attended events, met investors, foundations, and potential partners. Many promises were made; none materialized.

Despite being the first VPN on Telegram and the TON blockchain, Diamonds VPN received zero grants or financial support, even while other far less meaningful projects (like meme coins) received funding.

Our collaborations with Tonkeeper, Wallet Pay, and other ecosystem projects were suspended without explanation. Attempts to apply for grants went unanswered. Efforts to issue a token to decentralize the VPN were met with internal threats from TON leadership.

Financial reality

This year, Diamonds VPN generated around $14k in revenue. Most of it was spent on servers, and servers are expensive. At the end, there was no profit this year, and we don't have any financial reserves.

In the past 30 days, the revenue was under $400, not even a quarter of the monthly server costs.

I introduced a Lifetime Plan hoping to sell 1000 units at $200 each to raise $200k. This would have allowed me to:

• Rebuild the team
• Secure servers for years
• Focus on innovation
• Release the mobile apps
• Improve stability and new features

But the plan did not work.

This situation is the result of isolation, lack of support, external challenges, and my own inability to convince investors to believe in the mission.

Why this matters

I still deeply believe in privacy.

Today more than ever, as governments push invasive policies like Digital IDs, Chat Control, and other measures that erode what little privacy remains.

Creating tools that empower individuals requires time, focus, and funding.

But the reality is simple: One person cannot carry this alone.

The decision ahead

I am now facing two options:

1. Reduce operations to the minimum

• Remove most server locations
• Pause support
• Disable expensive features
• Stretch the project for as long as possible

OR

2. Shut down completely

Accepting that the bankruptcy cannot be reversed.

I am not wealthy. I cannot fund the project. There is no money to issue refunds. There are no resources to hire a sales team or rebuild a team.

I know this statement may be met with frustration or criticism, but I prefer honesty over corporate language.

On a personal level, this situation has taken a serious toll on my health. It is not humanly possible to continue like this without support.

Next steps

In the coming days, I will begin reducing operations to the minimum, shutting down support channels, and trying to extend the platform's life for as long as resources allow.

If there is no significant increase in sales next month, or if operational costs exceed what I can sustain, I will be forced to shut down Diamonds VPN.

Refunds are not possible due to the current financial state.

A call for help

If you are an investor, a fund, or someone who believes that privacy deserves to be supported, I am open to:

• Donations: https://vpn.diamonds/donate
• Rescue offers
• Partnerships
• Investment proposals

This is likely the only path that would allow Diamonds VPN to survive.

If you wish to get in touch, please do so via email: contact@vpn.diamonds. I will have someone filter messages to reduce exposure to potential hate, harassment, or any other abuse, while remaining open to serious offers, investments, and partnerships.

On Private Chat

I am also exploring the development of Private Chat, especially now that the EU has approved Chat Control. We need communication technologies that are not owned by companies, that cannot be forced to implement backdoors, and that give control back to individuals: similar to SimpleX or Session, but with additional innovation.

This project, too, requires funding to move forward.

A Vision for the Future

I have been reflecting on whether the right path is to continue running a centralized VPN service, or to move toward creating a decentralized, open-source VPN that belongs to no one: a protocol rather than a company. Exactly the same thing I'd like to do with Private Chat.

This was my original vision when I was blocked from launching the token that would have funded such a project. Despite the setbacks, I still believe this approach could empower individuals and provide greater privacy without relying on a centralized entity.

I hope this message clarifies the situation. Thank you for your understanding and for being part of this journey.

Sincerely,
Carlos Lugones
The only person operating Diamonds VPN for almost two years

We've upgraded our entire network to support VLESS + Reality with the latest version of V2Ray. This means stronger censorship-resistance, improved stability, and a safer internet experience for you.

Reality disguises VPN traffic as normal traffic, making it far harder for ISPs and governments to block. With this upgrade, Diamonds VPN helps you bypass censorship in even more countries.

Other VPN protocols such as VMess, Trojan, WireGuard, and OpenVPN remain supported, along with additional technical improvements.

🗺 New server locations

Let's welcome these new countries to our network of servers:

🇦🇺 Australia
🇨🇱 Chile
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
🇮🇸 Iceland
🇮🇱 Israel
🇯🇵 Japan
🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
🇲🇾 Malaysia
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇺🇦 Ukraine

We're working to bring back some of the old locations which had to be dropped due to logistical and operative reasons.

⚠️ Action required

All old configs are now invalid.

Download your new configurations through @DiamondsVpnBot and always specify your country of residence, so we can provide the best VPN setup for your location. We will add support for the customized configurations on the web app as well, soon.

📲 Recommended apps for VLESS + Reality

• Android: v2rayNG
• iOS: Npv Tunnel
• Windows: v2rayN
• macOS: v2Box
• Linux: sing-box (cli) and GUI.for.SingBox

💎 Our commitment

Every upgrade we make is to keep Diamonds VPN stronger, safer, and harder to block.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

September 23, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team

We’ve made several improvements to the Diamonds VPN Telegram Mini App to give you a more personalized and reliable experience, especially if you’re in a restricted country like Russia.

✅ Country Selection

You can now choose your current country of residence. This helps us recommend the best protocols, apps, and configurations for your specific location.

✅ Better Protocol & App Suggestions

Depending on your selected country and protocol, the app will now show the most effective tools for bypassing censorship and getting a smooth connection.

✅ Location-Specific Configurations

Exactly as we do in the Telegram Bot, the list of available VPN locations now adapts to your region and preferred protocol, giving you a customized config for your current residence. Specially required for users in Russia.

TL;DR: We just did the same as on the previous update, but on the Mini App.

Next up: we’ll bring these same improvements to the web app, and launch our mobile and desktop apps.

Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay free. 💎

August 22, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team

To all our users in Russia: we've got great news. After weeks of testing and fine-tuning, we now have a working solution to bypass censorship. You can try it today.

What's New

✅ Custom VPN configurations for Russia: optimized to stay connected under heavy blocking

✅ Telegram bot commands restored: faster, easier setup for those who prefer bots over mini apps

✅ Free time for refunded users: if you got a refund in the past due to the recent block in Russia, we'll add time back to your account.

How to Try It

1. Open @DiamondsVpnBot in Telegram
2. Run /start
3. Click Configs or run /configs
4. Select Russia
5. Choose Vless protocol (recommended)
6. Pick a location
7. Copy the config link into your VPN app
8. Connect and enjoy unrestricted internet

Make sure to use these apps

📌 Android: NikaNG 1.9.34

📌 iOS: Npv Tunnel

For desktop (Windows, Linux, macOS), use your preferred VPN app for now, our official client apps are coming soon.

Next Steps

The upcoming update will include this solution on:
• Telegram Mini App
• Web App
• Official desktop & mobile apps

August 14, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team

The internet isn’t what it used to be. Big platforms track you, decide what you can see, and even who gets to speak. We don’t think that’s how things should work. That’s why Diamonds VPN is now on Nostr — a place where communication is open, decentralized, and private.

Why Nostr?

Most social networks work the same way: you sign up, they control your data, and they decide what shows up on your feed. Nostr is different. It’s not a platform: it’s a protocol, meaning no single company owns it, no algorithm filters your content, and no one can take away your access.

For us at Diamonds VPN, privacy isn’t just a feature — it’s the whole point. Being on Nostr means we can talk to you without filters, without tracking, and without interference.

How Nostr Works

Unlike traditional social networks, Nostr doesn’t have accounts or centralized servers. Instead, it’s built on public and private keys, relay servers, and cryptographic security. Here’s how it all fits together:

1. Public & Private Keys

When you join Nostr, you don’t create an account on someone’s website. Instead, you generate a pair of cryptographic keys:

• Private key → Like your password, but more important. This is used to sign your messages and prove they’re yours. Never share it.

• Public key → Like your username. Others can follow you using this key.

Here’s our public key if you want to follow us:

npub1e0dcacrqg9d5gfamyr3gageygfsgjvt9cuuzcta6kxnxvylwf4qss7xgv8

Or just click this link: Find us on Primal

2. Relay Servers

Instead of all messages being stored on a single platform, Nostr uses relays — simple servers that pass messages between users.

• You choose which relays to use.

• If one relay goes offline, your data isn’t lost.

• Anyone can run a relay, making it resistant to censorship.

We believe in supporting the network, so we’re running our own relay server:

📡 wss://nostr.vpn.diamonds

This is our contribution to keeping Nostr decentralized and resilient. You’re welcome to use it.

3. Encryption & Privacy

All messages are signed with your private key, so they can’t be faked or altered. Private messages are encrypted, meaning only the recipient can read them. Unlike mainstream social media, there’s no tracking, no data collection, and no ads following you around.

Why It Matters

The internet was meant to be free and open, but over time, control has fallen into the hands of a few corporations. Nostr changes that. It puts power back in the hands of users. No bans, no shadowbans, no algorithms manipulating your feed — just people sharing directly.

If you’re already on Nostr, come find us. If you’re not, maybe it’s time to check it out.

You’ll need a Nostr client like:

• Primal (Web)

• Primal (iOS)

• Primal (Android)

Once you set it up, add our pubkey and say hi. Let’s make the internet private again. 💎

At Diamonds VPN, we believe in privacy, decentralization, and financial sovereignty. That's why we've gone beyond just accepting Bitcoin: we now run our own full Bitcoin and Lightning Network node, ensuring truly private, fast, and low-cost transactions.

But we're not stopping there. We're opening up our Lightning Network (BTC LN) node to the public, so anyone can use it for routing payments. Plus, if you want to contribute to the Bitcoin network, you can even become a Lightning node host yourself.

Why Use Diamonds VPN's BTC LN Node?

Instead of relying on centralized payment processors or third-party nodes, using our BTC LN node gives you:

🔒 Stronger Privacy – Transactions are routed through a self-sovereign node, reducing tracking risks.

⚡ Faster Payments – Well-maintained channels ensure reliable, instant transactions.

💰 Lower Fees – Optimized liquidity management keeps costs down.

🌍 TOR & Clearnet Access – Connect securely from anywhere.

🚫 No Middlemen – Direct peer-to-peer payments without banks or corporations.

How You Can Use Our BTC LN Node

We will allow anyone to open channels with our node and route payments through it. Whether you're a merchant, an individual, or a VPN user looking for private and efficient BTC transactions, you can:

• Open a channel with our Lightning node.

• Use it to send and receive Bitcoin with low fees and high reliability.

• Benefit from a node that prioritizes privacy and decentralization.

Connect over TOR:

02374ffacd310f75796b908a54d826db12fbb1ee3cfe0e8280c9242a4b94f5127e@t4vjvqc4g7eejofvpvsab6lkfmqtrdghl2sjpfxhztzghnn3qdfsqwid.onion:9735

Connect over the clearnet:

02374ffacd310f75796b908a54d826db12fbb1ee3cfe0e8280c9242a4b94f5127e@172.67.159.138:9735

Want to Take It Further? Become a Lightning Node Host

Bitcoin needs more self-sovereign nodes to grow a decentralized, censorship-resistant payment system. If you want to take control of your BTC transactions, consider setting up your own BTC Lightning node.

By running a node, you:

🏗️ Strengthen the Bitcoin network – More nodes mean better decentralization.

💸 Earn routing fees – Help process payments and get rewarded.

🔐 Control your own funds – No need to trust third parties with your BTC.

🌎 Support private transactions – Contribute to a free and open payment system.

The Future of Private Payments Starts Now

This is more than just adding BTC LN payments: it's about building a stronger, more private financial system. Whether you use our Lightning node or host your own, we're here to support a truly decentralized future.

Diamonds VPN is committed to privacy, freedom, and Bitcoin's future. Join us and take control of your payments today! 💎⚡

March 6, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team

At Diamonds VPN, we are always looking for ways to improve our users' experience, and today we are excited to announce the launch of our new web app. This marks a major step forward — we are now independent from Telegram, allowing users to access our platform even if Telegram is ever shut down. You can always access your account using your Account Number and password.

What Makes Our New Web App Special?

1. Faster and Simpler Access

Now you can log in and manage your account in seconds. The interface has been optimized to be intuitive and easy to navigate from any device.

2. True Independence from Telegram

Until now, Diamonds VPN was tied to Telegram —where it was born—, but not anymore. Our web app ensures that no matter what happens to Telegram, you will always have access to your account. Simply use your Account Number and password to log in.

3. Flexible Account Creation and Login

Anyone can now create an account directly on our web app, independent of Telegram. When signing up, you’ll receive a random Account Number and set up a password. If you previously created an account on Telegram, you can still log in with those same credentials.

4. All Payment Methods Are Back!

Due to Telegram’s new policies, many of our payment options were disabled. But on our web app, they’re all available again, giving you full freedom to choose your preferred payment method.

5. No free trial.

Since anyone can create an account at any time — without email, phone number, or any form of identification (ultimate privacy)—we cannot offer free trials on the web app to prevent abuse.

However, you can still get a 7-day free trial if you start your account on Telegram.

6. Built in Record Time — Expect Bugs!

We developed this web app in just a few days, prioritizing momentum and speed over perfection. As the saying goes, "If you launch something perfect, you're already late." Since this is a beta version, you might encounter some bugs. If you do, please report them to our support team.

Try It Today!

The new Diamonds VPN web app is now available. Access it from any browser and experience a simpler and safer way to connect.

Here: app.vpn.diamonds

If you have any questions or suggestions, our support team is always available on @DiamondsVpnSupportBot.

Thank you for trusting Diamonds VPN to protect your online privacy.

February 3, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team

📣 Important Update Regarding Payments

After a big release, which took us almost 2 months of work, and due to the new rules introduced by Telegram, which declare TON as the exclusive blockchain accepted within the platform, we have been forced to make the following changes:

1. All other payment methods have been disabled in our mini app. The only remaining options are Telegram Stars, TON, and USDT on TON.

2. We have partnered with ArcPay and integrated their service to accept payments via TON Connect.

What’s Next?

We are working on releasing our new web app, which will allow you to use all other payment methods as before and access our service outside of Telegram.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause. However, Telegram is the one restricting users’ freedom of choice by enforcing a single blockchain for payments.

Expect a new update from our team next week.

We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone for our service: Connecton VPN is officially rebranding to Diamonds VPN! This transformation signifies more than just a name change, it’s a commitment to a future defined by security, reliability, and effortless access to the internet.

Why the Change?

When we launched as Connecton VPN, our goal was clear: to provide a robust VPN solution that empowers you to connect to the world without limits. However, over time, we encountered two challenges:

1. The name “Connecton” was often confused with “Connection,” which made it less distinctive and memorable.

2. Our initial name referenced the TON blockchain, which was our starting point. As we’ve grown and committed to expanding into new ecosystems and blockchains, the old name no longer aligned with our broader vision.

Diamonds VPN was chosen to reflect strength, clarity, and resilience. Diamonds are precious, rare, and enduring — qualities we aspire to embody as a service. Just like diamonds, we are committed to shining bright and providing exceptional value to our users.

What’s Staying the Same?

While our name is changing, the pillars of our service remain unchanged. Diamonds VPN will continue to:

• Protect your online activity with industry-leading encryption.

• Keep no logs of your browsing history or personal data.

• Offer unlimited traffic for unlimited devices to ensure seamless connectivity.

• Enable open access to a free and unrestricted internet.

You can rest assured that your trusted VPN service is only getting better.

What’s New?

The rebrand brings exciting updates designed to elevate your experience:

1. Fresh Look

The Telegram Mini App has been redesigned for simplicity and ease of use, offering a smoother, more intuitive experience.

2. Improved Account Privacy

Account Number: Every user will now have a unique, randomly generated account number. This ensures your privacy by removing the need for personal information like email or phone numbers during signup. This feature also prepares the groundwork for accessing Diamonds VPN on new platforms, including web, mobile, desktop, and even TV apps.

Account Password: Protect your account by setting up a password today. While passwords aren’t required for the Telegram Mini App, they will become essential when we launch our new apps. Make sure to store your account number and password securely.

Link Email: You can now link your email to receive billing reminders and important service updates. We promise zero spam.

Private Email: Premium users can generate a unique email address on the @vpn.diamonds domain to safeguard their personal or professional emails. This disposable email can be updated or deleted anytime and protects your privacy when signing up for services or newsletters.

3. Expanded Payment Options

We’ve introduced fiat payments in USD, EUR, and RUB, along with new cryptocurrency options like ETH, USDC, BNB, TRX, LTC, SOL, and Monero (XMR) for ultimate privacy.

What You Need to Do

The transition to Diamonds VPN will be seamless. Existing accounts and settings will migrate automatically, ensuring uninterrupted service.

All we ask is for you to start using our new bot and Mini App here:

👉 Diamonds VPN Bot

Looking Ahead

At Diamonds VPN, we are driven by the belief that everyone deserves a secure, open, and private internet experience. This rebrand is a step forward in our journey to create a VPN service as resilient and valuable as the diamond itself.

Thank you for trusting us to protect your digital life. We can’t wait to shine brighter together.

Stay connected. Stay secure. Shine bright with Diamonds VPN.

January 11, 2025

— The Diamonds VPN Team