Telegram’s Path to Profitability: A Milestone Year
A Profitable Turnaround
After years of strategic development, Telegram, led by visionary founder Pavel Durov, is thrilled to announce it has reached profitability. In a recent update, Durov revealed that the chat app’s total revenue surpassed the impressive $1 billion mark in 2024. This achievement follows the successful launch of its premium subscription service back in 2022, which now boasts 12 million subscribers.
Financial Health and Strategic Moves
The company is closing the year with over $500 million in cash reserves, excluding its crypto assets. This robust financial standing allowed Telegram to repay a significant portion of its $2 billion debt bonds this fall, capitalizing on favorable bond prices. Durov emphasized that while these are noteworthy accomplishments, the journey ahead remains challenging and filled with potential.
“Over the past four years, Telegram has issued about $2 billion in debt. We repaid a meaningful share of it this Fall,” Durov shared in a post on X.
– Pavel Durov
Growth and Innovation
Telegram’s growth isn’t limited to finances alone. With over 950 million monthly active users, the platform has been bustling with innovation. This year saw the introduction of business features and an ad revenue sharing model. Creators now have opportunities to monetize through paid content channels, and users can explore new functionalities via a mini app store.
Navigating Challenges
Durov’s year wasn’t without hurdles. His arrest in France for Telegram’s alleged insufficient moderation practices made headlines. Authorities raised concerns about drug trafficking, money laundering, and CSAM. In response, Telegram intensified efforts to curb illegal content, removing 15.4 million harmful groups and channels in 2024 alone using AI-driven solutions.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Telegram aims to maintain its momentum with an eye on going public. With a combination of robust strategies and continuous innovation, Telegram seems poised for an even more influential role in the global tech landscape.
