Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Celebrates 40th Birthday with Launch of Special Edition ‘Gift’

As a researcher who has been following the tech industry and specifically Pavel Durov’s journey, I find it fascinating to observe the unique blend of success and controversy that surrounds him. At 40 years old, Durov is not only celebrating his personal milestone but also Telegram’s 11th anniversary, making it an important chapter in both his life and the platform’s history.


On his 40th birthday, Pavel Durov, creator of the well-known encrypted messaging service Telegram, is unveiling a unique “Gift” edition. This digital accessory enables users to buy, share, and receive Star tokens with loved ones during significant moments.

On Friday, Durov unveiled on Telegram the launch of a unique, limited-edition gift set. This innovative set was inspired by the widely-used BirthdayCollection emoji pack and features three distinctive characters. These characters are designed to mark a personal milestone for Durov while providing an enjoyable and interactive experience for Telegram users.

Telegram’s Limited Edition Gift Sold Out in a Day

On October 5, 2024, Telegram unveiled its new “Gift” feature, which proved to be extremely popular right off the bat. In the first day alone, both of the initial limited-edition gifts – 500,000 lollipops and 100,000 cherry blossom icons – were completely sold out.

On October 6, Durov admitted in a subsequent post that there had been an unexpectedly high demand for the newly released goods. He mentioned, “We didn’t anticipate it would sell out so quickly,” and further elaborated that Telegram’s team was actively working on modifications to manage the surge in popularity of sold-out items more effectively.

Durov suggested that the “Gift” feature on Telegram will have more capabilities coming soon. By year-end, users may transform exclusive gifts into Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) through The Open Network (TON) blockchain. This change allows users to tokenize their digital presents, making them tradeable or auctionable on various external blockchain marketplaces.

Achievements and Challenges in Durov’s Career

Celebrating my 40th birthday this year is a personal milestone, but it’s also significant for Telegram as we reach our 11th anniversary. This dual occasion signifies an important chapter not just for me, but for the platform as well. Launched back in 2013, Telegram has grown to be one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide, boasting over 950 million active users globally.

The platform’s steadfast commitment to privacy, security, and encrypted communication has earned it a loyal following, particularly in regions where free speech is under threat.

As an analyst, I must acknowledge that Nikolai Durov’s path has been fraught with obstacles. Prior to establishing Telegram, he gained recognition as the inventor of VKontakte (VK), Russia’s most prominent social media platform. However, my research indicates that his departure from VK in 2014 was marred by controversy. The strife between Durov and Russian authorities over data privacy and free speech became a point of contention, eventually leading to his decision to part ways.

Over the course of building Telegram into the privacy-conscious platform it is now, Durov’s guiding principles have consistently revolved around upholding privacy and open communication.

Telegram’s Founder Arrested in France

Nonetheless, Telegram has encountered numerous criticisms from various angles. The service is often criticized for allowing communication among groups involved in illicit activities, which has led to temporary restrictions in countries like Russia and Iran. More recently, Durov was detained in Paris due to compliance concerns with regulators regarding privacy matters, adding to the global spotlight on Telegram.

As a crypto investor, I’ve been closely watching the evolving landscape of my investments, particularly in light of Durov’s recent legal battles. These developments have drawn increased attention to the platform not just within our home jurisdiction, but also globally. This scrutiny is particularly intense in countries like India and South Korea, where privacy concerns and regulatory challenges are escalating rapidly.

As a crypto investor, I’ve been following the recent news about the arrest of Telegram’s founder in Paris. This event has ignited discussions about the delicate equilibrium between user privacy and regulatory compliance. Some critics claim that Telegram’s encrypted communication platforms pose difficulties for law enforcement due to their secure nature.

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2024-10-11 17:51