Messaging app Telegram has reached 950 million active users, with the company’s founder Pavel Durov announcing plans to surpass the 1 billion mark by the end of this year. Durov shared this milestone on his Telegram channel on Monday.
In addition to this growth, Telegram is set to launch an app store and an in-app browser with support for web3 pages later this month, as Durov revealed last week. This marks a significant step in the company’s efforts to integrate more web3 technologies.
Back in March, Telegram reached 900 million users. At that time, Durov told the Financial Times that the company is aiming for profitability by next year.
Telegram has been keen on embracing web3 technology, especially after facing setbacks in its initial coin offering in 2018. In December 2022, the company began auctioning usernames on the TON blockchain, demonstrating its continued interest in the space.
| Event | Date | User Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 900 Million Users | March 2024 | 900 million |
| Username Auction | December 2022 | – |
| 950 Million Users | July 2024 | 950 million |
| App Store Launch | July 2024 | – |
| 1 Billion Users Goal | End of 2024 | 1 billion (goal) |
Telegram is also helping developers build mini-apps and games that use cryptocurrency for transactions. This year, the company started sharing ad revenue with channel owners using Toncoin, a token on the TON blockchain. Recently, Telegram allowed channel owners to convert stars into Toncoin, which can be used to purchase ads at discounted rates or trade cryptocurrencies.
Despite these advancements, Telegram has faced challenges with scams. Since November 2023, scammers have been targeting users with schemes to steal Toncoins, according to a report from Kaspersky. In response, Durov announced that Telegram would begin displaying the month of registration and principal country for public accounts to enhance transparency. He also mentioned that organizations could use their mini-apps to issue labels for channels, creating a decentralized marketplace for third-party verification.
Featured Image courtesy of FMT
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