VALUE PROPOSITION

TELEGRAM ACHIEVES PROFITABILITY FOR THE FIRST TIME

In a significant milestone, Telegram has announced that it has turned a profit for the first time in its history. This achievement marks a crucial turning point for the company, which has faced numerous challenges, including legal and regulatory scrutiny.

Revenue Surge and Premium Subscriptions

Telegram's total revenue for 2024 surpassed $1 billion, a substantial increase from the nearly $350 million reported in the previous year. A key factor in this growth was the tripling of Telegram Premium subscribers, which now exceed 12 million. The premium subscription service, launched in 2022, has proven highly successful, contributing significantly to the company's revenue.

Advertising Revenue

In addition to the growth in premium subscriptions, Telegram's advertising revenue has also seen a significant boost. The company introduced an ad revenue sharing model for public broadcast channels with over 1,000 subscribers, which has attracted major brands and increased the platform's advertising inventory. This initiative has led to a several-fold increase in advertising revenue, with the first half of 2024 alone seeing $120 million in ad revenue.

Cryptocurrency Holdings

Telegram's cryptocurrency holdings have played a crucial role in its financial success. The company's digital asset portfolio, primarily consisting of Toncoin (TON), has soared to $1.3 billion in the first half of 2024, up from $400 million at the end of 2023. A one-time arrangement involving Toncoin, where an institution secured exclusive payment rights for small business advertising, generated $225 million. Additionally, the sale of Toncoin contributed $348 million to the company's revenue, helping Telegram achieve a post-tax profit of $335 million in the first half of 2024.

Financial Stability and Debt Reduction

Telegram has also made significant strides in improving its financial stability. The company is closing the year with over $500 million in cash reserves, excluding its cryptocurrency assets. Over the past four years, Telegram had issued approximately $2 billion in debt bonds but has repaid a meaningful share of this debt, taking advantage of favorable bond prices.


🔮 As I predicted, 2024 turned out to be a very good year for Telegram. For the first time in its 3-year history of monetization, Telegram became profitable 🏆

📈 This year, the number of Telegram Premium subscribers tripled, exceeding 12 million. Our ad revenue also increased a few times. As a result, Telegram's total revenue in 2024 surpassed $1 billion, and we are closing the year with more than $500 million in cash reserves, not including crypto assets 🪙

🏦 Over the past four years, Telegram has issued about $2 billion in debt. We repaid a meaningful share of it this Fall, taking advantage of favorable prices for the Telegram bonds. But there’s a lot of work ahead 👨‍💻

↗️ Our innovations in monetization this year (⭐️ Stars, 🎁 Gifts, 🪙 Giveaways, 🖥 Mini Apps, 🤝 the Affiliate Platform, 💼 Telegram Business, and 📥 Telegram Gateway…) demonstrate that social media platforms can achieve financial sustainability while staying independent and respecting users' rights.

🎯 The purpose of monetization is to ensure that you, our users, will always remain our #️⃣1️⃣ priority 🫂 - PAVEL DUROV, FOUNDER OF TELEGRAM
Content Moderation and Regulatory Compliance

Despite the financial success, Telegram has faced scrutiny over its content moderation practices. The company has ramped up its efforts to address these concerns, employing over 750 contractors to oversee user-generated content and removing 15.4 million groups and channels spreading harmful content using AI technology. Telegram has committed to expanding its moderation team and cooperating with authorities in compliance with French laws.

Long-Term Strategy and Future Plans

Telegram's focus on scaling its advertising and subscription revenue streams is central to its long-term strategy. The company aims to maintain its independence and eventually pursue an initial public offering (IPO), which is currently eyed for the future. With a user base of over 950 million monthly active users, Telegram continues to innovate, adding business features, an ad revenue sharing service, and a mini app store to its offerings.

In summary, Telegram's ability to turn a profit in 2024 is a testament to its innovative monetization strategies, robust cryptocurrency holdings, and commitment to addressing its legal and regulatory challenges. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, it remains a significant player in the global messaging and social media landscape.

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2024-12-23 05:02