Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that hit 1 billion monthly active users in early 2025. It's one of the 10 most downloaded apps in the world, but it's not yet possible for most of us to buy Telegram stock.
Based in Dubai, Telegram allows you to create group chats for as many as 200,000 users and also has channels that let you broadcast to an audience. Its Secret Chat mode, which offers end-to-end encryption, has become popular with people seeking maximum privacy.
Telegram is not publicly traded. Founder and CEO Pavel Durov said as far back as 2021 that the company was weighing an initial public offering (IPO). But with Durov facing criminal charges in France over allegations that the platform facilitates illegal activity, it's unlikely that Telegram will go public in the near future.
As Telegram has surged in popularity, it's also been mired in controversy. It's been criticized as a propaganda tool for terror groups and organizations that promote hate speech. The anonymity it provides has also made it a hotbed of illegal activity. French prosecutors accuse Durov of complicity in allowing crimes like drug trafficking to the transfer of material depicting child sexual abuse to take place using the app.
However, Durov's supporters -- including Elon Musk and Edward Snowden -- have blasted his arrest as government overreach and an attack on free speech.
Though a Telegram IPO is improbable in the foreseeable future, this article will break down the latest news about the company. We'll cover whether Telegram is profitable, the pros and cons of investing in the company if it goes public, and some alternatives to buying Telegram stock.
Is Telegram publicly traded?
No, Telegram isn't publicly traded, so it's not possible for most people to buy Telegram stock. If you're an accredited investor, you may be able to buy shares of Telegram and other pre-IPO stocks through a platform like EquityZen or Forge Global. But if you're hoping to invest in Telegram stock using a regular brokerage account, you'll need to wait for the company to hold its IPO.
When will Telegram IPO?
Telegram hasn't filed to go public, so it's not on the IPO calendar. Before his arrest, Durov told the Financial Times in a rare March 2024 interview that the company could eventually IPO, although he wouldn't provide a timeline.
Durov, the sole owner of Telegram, said in the interview that the platform has received valuations north of $30 billion from potential investors, although he's ruled out selling the company as it eyes an IPO.
"Generally speaking, we see value in [an IPO] as a means to democratize access to Telegram's value," Durov said.
At the time, Telegram had raised more than $2 billion through debt financing, including $330 million worth of bonds. Durov wrote in a post that the latest issuance ensures that Telegram "can keep expanding at an accelerated speed."
Durov told the Financial Times that if the company goes public, it would consider allocating shares to loyal users, as Reddit (RDDT +5.10%) did last year when it made its stock market debut.
IPO
Is Telegram profitable?
Despite its recent troubles, Telegram is profitable for the first time in its history. On Dec. 23, 2024, Durov announced in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the company's 2024 revenue surpassed $1 billion.
As a private company, Telegram isn't required to publicly disclose financial information. However, Durov's post said that Telegram has more than $500 million in cash, not including crypto assets. He also acknowledged the $2 billion in debt the company has issued over the past four years, noting that it had repaid "a meaningful share of it" in the fall of 2024.
The company earned more than half its revenue from advertising in public channels, according to The New York Times. Telegram also has about 12 million subscribers who pay $5 monthly for additional features.
However, Durov has vowed not to include sponsored messages in private chats. He has also promised that Telegram's services will remain free, although the premium subscription unlocks features like 4 GB file uploads and faster download speeds.
Alternatives to Telegram
Since Telegram stock isn't publicly traded at this point, here are three alternative stocks to consider:
Meta
Meta Platforms (META +1.80%) is best known as the owner of social media giants Facebook and Instagram. But in 2014, founder Mark Zuckerberg also paid $19 billion to acquire WhatsApp. Unlike Telegram, messages on WhatsApp feature end-to-end encryption by default, although WhatsApp has been criticized for sharing user data with Facebook. With more than 3 billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is by far the more popular messaging app.
If you're enthusiastic about Telegram for its ability to facilitate anonymous conversation, consider investing in Reddit. Reddit has become a hugely popular social media site in recent years, but unlike other platforms, users don't share their names or identities when they sign up for the service. Reddit went public in one of the most-hyped IPOs of 2024. It also reported a profit for the first time in its 20-year history last year.
New York Times
The New York Times (NYT +1.11%) is a legacy media publisher that has embraced Telegram as a broadcasting platform. It initially launched its channel to provide reporting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict but has since expanded to include a daily international news roundup. Its channel had almost 170,000 subscribers in mid-2025.
How to buy stocks similar to Telegram
For now, access to Telegram stock is off-limits for most investors. But if the company goes public someday, you'll be able to invest in the company using your brokerage account. To start investing in stocks, follow these steps:
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
The bottom line on Telegram
If Telegram goes public, investing in the stock will be a high-risk, high-reward proposition. The platform has a rapidly growing user base, particularly in the developing world. But it's also increasingly associated with propaganda and illegal activities, which makes it risky.
IPO stocks are often volatile, especially immediately after debuting on the stock market. A good rule of thumb is to focus your investment money on established stocks and funds and only invest in IPOs with funds you can afford to lose.
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