Telegram Raises $1.5 Billion And Signs A Shocking Deal With Elon Musk's AI

Despite a ban on leaving French territory due to a criminal investigation, Pavel Durov continues to steer the Telegram platform to new heights. It has just raised 1.5 billion dollars through a bond issuance. That’s not all! It also simultaneously seals a strategic partnership with xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company.

A historic fundraising despite an investigation in France

It is confirmed! Telegram has managed to mobilize an impressive pool of investors. They include:

• BlackRock;
• Mubadala;
• Citadel;
• other hedge funds.

This bond issuance spans 5 years and comes with a 9% yield. It gives investors the option to convert their debt into Telegram shares if the company goes public.

Specifically, the operation allows repaying the platform’s existing debt. This refers to the 2021 bonds maturing in March 2026.

Good to know: To date, Telegram has already repurchased $400 million of this previous issuance.

An AI alliance with Elon Musk: Grok joins Telegram

Meanwhile, Telegram is reaching a new strategic milestone by partnering with xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company. The goal: to integrate the AI chatbot Grok directly into the messaging app. This $300 million partnership consists of both cash and equity payments.

The agreement also provides that Telegram will receive 50% of the revenues generated by Grok subscriptions sold through the platform. This revenue-sharing model fits into a competitive dynamic with WhatsApp, which recently integrated similar features via Meta’s AI.

Telegram explodes its revenues and aims for $700 million profit in 2025

According to documents examined by the Wall Street Journal, Telegram generated $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024. The company thereby posted a net profit of $540 million, compared to a loss of $173 million in 2023.

For 2025, forecasts predict:

• $2 billion in revenue;
• over $700 million in profit.

This spectacular growth relies on a diversified monetization strategy, including:

• premium subscriptions (now 15 million subscribers, double in one year);
• growing advertising activity;
• a booming bot ecosystem,
• blockchain-related partnerships (notably with TON).

The judicial case in France has not slowed Telegram’s upward trajectory. Today, the platform even establishes itself as a key player in the convergence between social technologies, blockchain, and artificial intelligence.