Telegram has achieved profitability in 2024, generating over $1 billion in revenue for the first time. This milestone comes after facing financial challenges and legal scrutiny.
The company's revenue increased threefold from $350 million in 2023, largely due to diverse monetization strategies and an expanding user base. The growth was driven by a premium subscription service and an aggressive advertising strategy.
Telegram expects to end the year with cash reserves exceeding $500 million, a significant improvement from previous debt burdens. The company's ventures into the cryptocurrency space have also contributed to its financial turnaround.
Despite these gains, Telegram continues to face regulatory scrutiny, particularly regarding its ability to prevent illicit activities. To address these concerns, Telegram has hired over 750 content moderators in 2024 and blocked more than 15 million groups and channels engaged in illicit activities. The company's proactive approach to content moderation may serve as a model for other tech firms.
The interplay between Telegram's financial strategies and regulatory challenges will be closely watched in the messaging landscape.