In a recent interview, Pavel Durov, co-founder of Telegram, discussed the messaging service’s future and its financial prospects. Durov revealed that the company is considering the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) as a means to democratize access to Telegram’s value. Despite receiving offers from investors valuing the company at $30 billion or more, Durov expressed interest in pursuing a listing in the United States once the company becomes profitable.
To secure funds, Telegram has already raised $2 billion through bond issues since 2021. As an incentive for bondholders, they will receive a 10-20% discount on the Telegram IPO if it is launched before March 2026. Durov also mentioned the possibility of offering shares to “loyal” users during the IPO, taking inspiration from Reddit’s recent filing to raise $519 million in an IPO.
In addition to these efforts, Telegram has recently launched an advertising platform on the TON blockchain to generate more funds. Channel owners on Telegram will receive 50% of the total advertising revenue from displaying ads on their channels.
With 900 million users and approximately 50 employees, Telegram is currently the fourth-largest messaging service in use. Durov, who previously co-founded Russia’s popular social media platform Vkontakte, faced legal issues in 2019 when the SEC sued Telegram to halt a $1.7 billion initial coin offering for the launch of GRAM. Telegram ultimately abandoned its plans to launch the coin and left the TON Network in May 2020.
In conclusion, Telegram is exploring the possibility of an IPO to further its financial goals and expand access to its value. The company’s recent bond issues and advertising platform serve as additional avenues to raise funds. Despite past legal challenges, Telegram remains a prominent messaging service with a substantial user base.