Telegram's Silent Ascent to 950 Million Users and Ambitious New Plans

Telegram has quietly yet steadily risen through the ranks, now boasting a staggering 950 million active users. This impressive milestone was announced by the company's founder, Pavel Durov, who confidently predicts that Telegram will cross the 1 billion mark this year. Durov shared this news on his channel on Monday, marking another significant achievement for the messaging app that's been making waves without much fanfare.


In a move that's sure to shake things up, Telegram is set to launch its own app store and an in-app browser with support for web3 pages later this month. This was revealed by Durov last week, adding another layer to Telegram's ongoing efforts to integrate more advanced technology into its platform. The app store and web3 browser are expected to enhance the user experience and open new avenues for developers and users alike.

Back in March, Telegram celebrated another milestone when it crossed 900 million users. At that time, Durov mentioned in an interview with the Financial Times that the company aims to be profitable next year. This steady growth is a testament to Telegram's increasing popularity and its potential to become a dominant player in the messaging app market.

Telegram's journey into the world of web3 technology has been particularly interesting. The company has long supported cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives. Although its initial coin offering in 2018 didn't pan out as hoped, Telegram hasn't shied away from the space. In December 2022, it began auctioning usernames on the TON blockchain, signaling its continued commitment to the technology.

More recently, Telegram has focused on empowering developers to create mini-apps and games that utilize cryptocurrency for transactions. This year, it started sharing ad revenue with channel owners in the form of toncoin, a token on the TON blockchain. Earlier this month, Telegram introduced a feature allowing channel owners to convert stars to toncoin, which can be used to buy ads at discounted rates or trade cryptocurrencies.

Despite its success, Telegram has faced challenges, particularly with scams and fraudulent schemes targeting its users. Since November 2023, scammers have been actively trying to steal toncoins from users, according to a report from Kaspersky. Addressing this issue, Durov recently announced that Telegram will soon display the month of registration and principal country for public accounts, similar to Instagram. Additionally, organizations will be able to use mini-apps to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for third-party verification.

Telegram's evolution continues to be one to watch. With its ambitious plans and steady user growth, the app is poised to redefine the messaging landscape and further integrate cutting-edge technology into everyday communication.

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