Telegram Founder Banks on Bitcoin for Ultimate Freedom

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has disclosed owning a substantial Bitcoin holding, suggesting that it represents the ultimate form of freedom.

During an interview with former FOX News host Tucker Carlson on April 17 at his Dubai headquarters, Durov provided insight into his unconventional approach to wealth and business ownership.

Central to the discussion was Durov’s steadfast commitment to maintaining full control of Telegram, the renowned privacy-focused messaging platform boasting over 900 million users worldwide. His decision to shun traditional venture capital funding has long intrigued the tech sphere, with Durov attributing it to his unwavering dedication to independence and his mission-oriented ethos.

“My reluctance to embrace Venture Capital funding early on stemmed from our desire for autonomy. We understood that our mission and objectives might not align with those of potential investors,” Durov told Carlson.

The billionaire then delved into his philosophy, disclosing that a portion of his considerable wealth, estimated in the hundreds of millions, is invested in Bitcoin. This move, he suggested, aligns with his broader aspiration to liberate himself from fiat-based systems of control.

“I have a few hundred million dollars in my bank account or in Bitcoin since 10 years ago and I don’t do anything with it. I don’t own any like real estate Jets or Yachts. I don’t think this lifestyle is for me. I like to focus on what we are doing with Telegram,” Durov asserted.

Notably, the billionaire’s perspective on prosperity transcends mere accumulation, underscoring the primacy of personal freedom over material possessions. He further contended that financial autonomy empowers individuals to evade the shackles of physical constraints associated with materialism.

“My paramount concern in life is liberty. The moment you begin amassing possessions, you inadvertently tether yourself to a specific locale. While I harbor no disdain for those who indulge in real estate acquisitions, it’s a path I personally eschew,” he emphasized.

That said, despite his dedication to individual freedom, Durov predicted a future shaped by heightened governmental encroachments on privacy, necessitating the emergence of secure communication devices akin to cryptocurrency hardware wallets.

“I think governments [are] becoming less tolerant of privacy…I think some new secure Hardware, you know, communication devices will be created in a similar way that now we have Hardware wallets to store your cryptocurrency. Maybe we’ll have secure communication devices you know to send messages or do voice calls.” Durov stated.

In recent years, Telegram has been integrating various crypto payment options to facilitate secure and swift transactions. Last year, the platform introduced a new feature called Wallet Pay, allowing merchants to accept cryptocurrency payments with Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and Toncoin (TON).