Telegram Secures $1.5B Bond Offering Backed by BlackRock and Citadel

Messaging giant Telegram is raising at least $1.5 billion through a five-year convertible bond offering with a 9% yield. The deal has attracted heavyweight investors including BlackRock, Mubadala, and Citadel—marking a significant vote of confidence in the platform’s financial turnaround.

Proceeds will refinance Telegram’s 2021 debt ahead of its March maturity. The bonds carry an equity conversion option should the company pursue an IPO. Notably, $500 million of the debt may be tokenized on TON blockchain through Libre’s Telegram Bond Fund, linking traditional finance with crypto innovation.

Telegram’s financials showcase remarkable growth: $540 million profit on $1.4 billion revenue in 2024, reversing a $173 million loss. With 1 billion monthly users and 15 million paid subscribers—doubling in a year—the platform’s ad business and in-app monetization strategies are driving results. Projections suggest $700 million+ profits for 2025.