Musk’s xAI Inks $300M Deal to Launch Grok AI Chatbot on Telegram

Elon Musk’s xAI just cut a massive deal to bring its snarky Grok chatbot to Telegram—because what crypto really needed was another speculative asset to pump and dump.

The $300 million play aims to shove AI into messaging’s mainstream, bypassing traditional app stores. Will users embrace Grok’s ’rebellious’ persona, or is this just another vanity project burning VC cash?

One thing’s certain: the AI hype train shows no signs of stopping—next stop, your DMs.

“Telegram will receive $300M in cash and equity from xAI, plus 50% of revenue from xAI subscriptions sold via Telegram. Together, we win!” Durov wrote. 

Durov teased the upcoming partnership on his Telegram channel, announcing that users can expect access to “the best AI technology on the market” this summer.

In a promotional video shared by Durov alongside his announcement, Telegram previewed an expansive integration of Grok’s capabilities throughout the app. Users will be able to access features like threaded conversations, intelligent text editing, document digests, chat summaries, group moderation tools, and inbox agents, all directly from the search bar.

This partnership follows a period of heightened media attention surrounding Telegram and Durov, amid a series of recent controversies.

Earlier this week, a French court blocked Durov from traveling to Norway, barring him from attending the Oslo Freedom Forum, where he had been slated to speak at a prominent international event focused on human rights.

Additionally, tensions escalated following Durov’s public accusation that French authorities attempted to pressure him into censoring conservative content on the messaging app during Romania’s presidential election.

Durov revealed in a recent post on X that he was urged by French intelligence chief Nicholas Lerner to block “conservative voices” in Romania ahead of the country’s presidential election—a request he said he firmly declined. “We did not restrict protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran. We will not begin doing so in Europe,” Durov stated.

The developments also reflect a broader shift in how tech platforms are evolving—not just as tools for communication, but as battlegrounds for influence, innovation, and control in the digital age.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.