Telegram plans to issue $1.5 billion in bonds, with investors including Blackstone, Mubadala and Citadel

PANews reported on May 28 that according to the Wall Street Journal, Telegram plans to issue at least $1.5 billion in five-year bonds with an annual interest rate of 9%, to repurchase debts issued in 2021 and due next year. Investors include existing backers Blackstone Group, Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala, and new hedge fund Citadel. Bond holders can convert shares at a discounted price when Telegram is listed in the future. Although CEO Pavel Durov was restricted from leaving the country due to suspected failure to cooperate with the French police investigation, Telegram achieved a profit of US$540 million in 2024, with monthly active users exceeding 1 billion and paid users exceeding 15 million.