The TON linked privacy centric social media platform Telegram has for the first time become profitable, according to co-founder, Pavel Durov.
In an X post, Telegram’s Pavel Durov made this known, praising the efforts of the team and several high points Telegram has achieved over a decade of its existence.
Pavel stated that the Telegram surpassed $1 billion in revenue this year, with cash reserves exceeding $500 million, excluding its significant crypto assets. He noted that this achievement not only signifies Telegram’s financial success but also highlights its ability to sustain growth without compromising on user rights or relying on intrusive monetization methods.
2024 has been transformative for Telegram’s business model, according to Durov. The number of Telegram Premium subscribers tripled, exceeding 12 million users, while advertising revenue also saw exponential growth. Telegram launched its Premium subscription service in June 2022.
The service was introduced to offer additional features for users who wanted an enhanced experience while supporting the platform financially. These features included increased file upload limits, faster downloads, exclusive stickers and reactions, and other advanced functionalities.
Durov revealed that over the past four years, Telegram issued $2 billion in debt to fuel its growth and innovation. Taking advantage of favorable conditions, it repaid a significant portion of its bonds this fall.
The introduction of new monetization tools has not only diversified its revenue streams but also empowered its community of users, creators, and businesses. Features like Stars, Gifts, and Giveaways have added a social and interactive layer to user engagement, while the Mini Apps and Telegram Gateway have expanded the platform’s utility as a hub for businesses and developers.
Furthermore, Telegram’s Affiliate Platform and Telegram Business initiative have created new opportunities for partnerships and brand engagement, further solidifying its role as a comprehensive ecosystem for users and organizations.
A major factor in Telegram’s growing influence is its deep integration with blockchain technology and the crypto community. Telegram, the original owners of TON, has strengthened its ties with the now community-driven TON (The Open Network) to leverage the blockchain’s potential to offer secure, fast, and decentralized services.
This integration has allowed Telegram to attract millions of crypto users and introduce innovative features such as crypto wallets, mini-apps, and token giveaways. These integrations have turned Telegram into a critical player in the decentralized economy, which bridges social interaction with financial technology.
In terms of figures, Telegram became the third most downloaded app in messaging platforms worldwide, with 36.7 million monthly downloads in 2024. It also grew from around 900 million users in December 2023 to over 1.5 billion after crypto-based projects such as Notcoin, Tapswap, and other tap-to-earn projects launched on the social media app.
In the midst of this success, Telegram has also faced challenges. Pavel Durov, the co-founder, was arrested by French authorities on allegations that included facilitating organized crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism through the app. The arrested highlighted concerns about Telegram’s lack of moderation and its encrypted features being exploited for illicit activities. This has necessitated Telegram to rework its content rules.
Despite these issues, the platform’s focus on user privacy and decentralized operations has made it a preferred choice for legitimate users and privacy advocates, as well as bad actors. Telegram has faced challenges in balancing privacy with the need to prevent misuse, a tension common in Web3 and privacy-centric platforms.
Telegram’s arrest of Durov and the controversies did not halt its growth. The platform has established itself as a key player in both Web2 and Web3.
