Telegram founder Pavel Durov announced that the messaging platform is now profitable, with total revenue exceeding $1 billion in 2024.
The app has seen significant growth since launching its premium subscription service in 2022, now boasting 12 million paid users.
Financial Milestones
Telegram ends the year with over $500 million in cash reserves, excluding its crypto assets. The company has also reduced its debt, repaying a significant portion of the $2 billion in bonds issued over the past four years.
Durov highlighted this progress in a post on X, stating, “We repaid a meaningful share of [our debt] this Fall, taking advantage of favorable prices for the Telegram bonds. But there’s a lot of work ahead.”
Growth and Future Plans
With 950 million monthly active users, Telegram has expanded its offerings for businesses and creators. Key initiatives include:
- Ad revenue sharing for channels.
- Paid content options for creators.
- A mini app store to enhance user experience.
Earlier this year, Durov shared ambitions for Telegram to go public, forecasting profitability by 2025. The company’s earlier-than-expected success sets the stage for potential IPO plans.
Telegram’s evolution from a free messaging app to a profitable tech giant demonstrates its ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive market.
