Telegram’s $1.7B Bond Bonanza: What You Didn’t Know! 😲💰

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What to know:

  • Telegram raised a staggering $1.7 billion by issuing convertible bonds. Yes, you read that right! 💸
  • Out of this fortune, $955 million will be used for bond buyback, while $745 million is earmarked for operations and growth. Because who doesn’t love a good growth spurt? 📈
  • Investors can convert their bonds to equity if Telegram decides to go public before maturity. Talk about a golden ticket! 🎟️

In a move that would make even the most seasoned financiers raise an eyebrow, Telegram has secured a whopping $1.7 billion through the issuance of five-year convertible bonds. This is not just a casual stroll in the park; it’s a strategic maneuver to refinance existing liabilities and extend repayment deadlines. Because why pay today what you can put off until tomorrow? 😏

The messaging app, now boasting over 1 billion users (yes, that’s billion with a ‘B’), plans to use $955 million of these newfound riches to buy back bonds maturing in 2026. The remaining $745 million? Well, that’s just a little something to keep the lights on and perhaps invest in a few more memes. 🖼️

For those brave investors who have jumped on the bond bandwagon, there’s a chance to convert their holdings into equity if Telegram decides to go public before the notes mature. In that delightful scenario, they would be entitled to redeem at 80% of the initial public offering price. It’s like a discount on a luxury item—who wouldn’t want that? 🛍️

The tender offer closed on May 28, with settlement expected on June 5. CoinDesk previously reported that this round attracted interest from returning investors, including the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock, and Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala. New entrants like hedge fund Citadel also decided to join the party. 🎉

The notes carry a 9% coupon, which is two percentage points above Telegram’s previous $2.35 billion bond issued in 2021. Because if you’re going to borrow money, you might as well do it with style! 💃

Telegram surpassed $1 billion in revenue last year and holds over $500 million in cash reserves, excluding crypto. So, it seems they’re not just good at sending messages; they’re also quite adept at making money! 💰

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2025-05-29 17:41