Changpeng Zhao Denies Telegram Use Amid Spam Backlash, Durov Responds with New Features

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao has publicly dismissed claims of using Telegram, labeling all accounts under his name as fake. The crypto executive cited relentless spam as a primary grievance, revealing it once slowed his phone to a crawl. His critique reached Telegram founder Pavel Durov directly, prompting an immediate response.

Durov unveiled new anti-spam measures, including a paywall feature for direct messages from unknown contacts. The update allows high-profile users to monetize or filter unsolicited outreach, with inbox fees capped at 10,000 Stars. "Your suggestion to let users paywall their inbox was a great idea," Durov acknowledged in a tweet to Zhao.

The exchange highlights growing pains for messaging platforms amid crypto's mainstream adoption. While Zhao clarified his stance wasn't an indictment of Telegram itself, his influence as a industry figure has accelerated platform-level changes to curb spam.