Telegram’s $300M xAI Deal Faces Delays Amid Unfinalized Terms

Telegram’s highly publicized $300 million partnership with Elon Musk’s xAI remains in limbo despite mutual agreement between the parties. The cloud-based messaging platform’s founder Pavel Durov prematurely announced full integration of xAI’s Grok chatbot across Telegram apps by summer 2025, framing it as a done deal that WOULD strengthen Telegram’s financial position through cash, equity, and revenue sharing.

Market observers were surprised when Musk clarified in a tweet reply that no binding contracts had been executed. Durov’s subsequent acknowledgment of the deal’s preliminary status raises questions about Telegram’s fundraising strategy, coming amid reports of the company exploring debt issuance options. The proposed collaboration would mark a significant AI integration for Telegram’s 800 million users, with xAI gaining access to one of the world’s largest messaging platforms.