3 ms·

They need to monetize. Blockchain is one way to capture value (unfortunately, the hype train has long left the station). Given Telegram's functionality (file sh

They need to monetize. Blockchain is one way to capture value (unfortunately, the hype train has long left the station). Given Telegram's functionality (file sharing, large groups in particular), it is likely the costs are way too high.

kennydude 4y ago
They could just literally charge the $16 or roughly whatever it is upfront. It means nothing for them to be in a blockchain except waste of resources (ironically increasing their costs...)
- super256 4y ago
  > They could just literally charge the $16 or roughly whatever it is upfront. It means nothing for them to be in a blockchain except waste of resources (ironically increasing their costs...) I don't think so. When you own a lot of crypto, and have lots of real dollars (Pavel has lots of real dollars!), you can manipulate price a little bit. In 2019/2020 Telegram had to give investors all their money back, and the new TON project started without venture capital with a value of 0$. It's now 1.84$. If their market makers are sophisticated enough, they will create enough liquidity grabs to sell telegram's TON bags over time for a nice sum. I think they are aiming for creating a market + "eco system" similar to ETH.
rpgbr 4y ago
Curiously, Durov didn't mention Fragment/blockchain initiatives in his post about Telegram's monetization strategy[1]. [1] https://t.me/durov/203 https://t.me/durov/203
jrm4 4y ago
"They need to monetize." Sigh. Charge users directly or GTFO. Seriously. If the product is "very secure messaging," then come right out and say "very secure messaging costs money, pay up." Doing anything -- ANYTHING else lets me know they're not serious about the mission.
- nine_k 4y ago
  But they do charge users directly: https://telegram.org/faq_premium?setln=en https://telegram.org/faq_premium?setln=en It's a typical freemium model. I'd subscribe if I were certain that my money won't be going to Russia.
  - Mo3 4y ago
    Are you implying Telegram is being run by the Russian government?
    - ptnxlo 4y ago
      That's not the only way money can end up in Russia. Having employees there is a simple one.
nine_k 4y ago
https://fragment.com/numbers https://fragment.com/numbers -> "Oops. This service is not available in the United States." Not a great way to monetize in one of the larger markets.

kennydude 4y ago

They could just literally charge the $16 or roughly whatever it is upfront. It means nothing for them to be in a blockchain except waste of resources (ironically increasing their costs...)

super256 4y ago
> They could just literally charge the $16 or roughly whatever it is upfront. It means nothing for them to be in a blockchain except waste of resources (ironically increasing their costs...) I don't think so. When you own a lot of crypto, and have lots of real dollars (Pavel has lots of real dollars!), you can manipulate price a little bit. In 2019/2020 Telegram had to give investors all their money back, and the new TON project started without venture capital with a value of 0$. It's now 1.84$. If their market makers are sophisticated enough, they will create enough liquidity grabs to sell telegram's TON bags over time for a nice sum. I think they are aiming for creating a market + "eco system" similar to ETH.

rpgbr 4y ago

Curiously, Durov didn't mention Fragment/blockchain initiatives in his post about Telegram's monetization strategy[1]. [1] https://t.me/durov/203 https://t.me/durov/203

jrm4 4y ago

"They need to monetize." Sigh. Charge users directly or GTFO. Seriously. If the product is "very secure messaging," then come right out and say "very secure messaging costs money, pay up." Doing anything -- ANYTHING else lets me know they're not serious about the mission.

nine_k 4y ago
But they do charge users directly: https://telegram.org/faq_premium?setln=en https://telegram.org/faq_premium?setln=en It's a typical freemium model. I'd subscribe if I were certain that my money won't be going to Russia.
- Mo3 4y ago
  Are you implying Telegram is being run by the Russian government?
  - ptnxlo 4y ago
    That's not the only way money can end up in Russia. Having employees there is a simple one.

nine_k 4y ago

https://fragment.com/numbers https://fragment.com/numbers -> "Oops. This service is not available in the United States." Not a great way to monetize in one of the larger markets.