Telegram founder Durov reveals: living expenses are funded entirely by Bitcoin rather than profits from the messaging app.

Pavel Durov revealed that his living expenses come from Bitcoin he acquired a decade ago, not from Telegram's revenue, sparking interest in the tech and finance circles about how he maintains the company's independence through crypto assets. (Background: Telegram founder Pavel Durov exposed the French intelligence agency: pressuring to ban platform content, threatening to give me 'legal leniency') (Context: The Telegram account '@crypto' received a $25 million offer, Pavel Durov: Digital sovereignty makes miracles happen) The commodity thinking of Silicon Valley and the capital logic of Wall Street intersect to create a new legend: Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently disclosed on a well-known podcast that his current living expenses do not come from the revenue of the messaging platform, but from the Bitcoin he purchased over a decade ago and has never let go of, (BTC). After the interview footage was released, it immediately sparked discussions in the tech and finance circles. The reason this low-profile Russian entrepreneur chose such a path has become the core of external inquiries. Early gambling, a decade-long steadfastness Durov recalled on the Lex Fridman show that in 2013, he spent millions of dollars to purchase thousands of Bitcoins at a price of about $700 each. At that time, the price was already considered a 'peak range', but he instinctively believed it to be the prototype of an 'anti-censorship currency', and even when the 2015 Bear Market drove the price back to $200, he still 'didn't care and had no intention of selling'. He emphasized in the show: 'I have been very optimistic about Bitcoin since its inception.' This optimism comes not only from expected investment returns but also from the decentralized, non-seizable technical characteristics. Bitcoin becomes cash flow, allowing Telegram to maintain independence Unlike most social platforms that rely on advertising or venture capital, Telegram has not significantly introduced external equity for years. Durov explained that his personal expenses — including occasional private jets and renting secure locations — are all paid in Bitcoin for a straightforward reason: Telegram is a loss-making operation for me, and Bitcoin is my livelihood. The stable crypto position has become his moat against operational losses and allows product decisions to be free from investors' short-term pressures. Ainvest pointed out that he deliberately refrains from purchasing real estate or yachts, opting for easily transferable crypto assets to maintain privacy and personal safety, which resonates with Telegram's privacy philosophy. Questioning fiat and blockchain layout Long-term holding of Bitcoin has given Durov a distinct view of the global monetary system. In the interview, he predicted that Bitcoin may 'surge to one million dollars' due to governments printing money endlessly, which will continue to weaken the purchasing power of fiat. He stated bluntly: 'No one is printing Bitcoin; its inflation is predictable and will eventually stop increasing; the future of fiat, however, is not necessarily optimistic.' At the company level, Telegram's blockchain project TON, although challenged by regulation, still returned to the ecosystem and began to shine in NFT transactions. Durov deliberately separated his personal Bitcoin views from the company's strategy, demonstrating a method of 'personal belief and product experimentation running in parallel' to avoid a single asset's fluctuations from hijacking the company's development. Conclusion: A demonstration of independence and foresight Pavel Durov's strategy of 'buying first and not selling' Bitcoin has earned him entrepreneurial freedom free from capital shackles and has once again placed 'Decentralization' at the center of financial and technological discourse. When he predicts Bitcoin will reach a million dollars and questions the future of fiat, the market may not fully accept it, but this experience is sufficient to remind investors that what truly determines pricing power is often a persistent belief in value logic. Whether decentralized assets can truly rewrite the global financial order in the next decade remains to be seen; however, Durov's choice has already provided a compelling sample for this long race. Related reports Telegram founder Durov speaks out for the first time after leaving France: It feels great to be back home, believing that a community of one billion can overcome any problem.. Telegram founder Pavel Durov appears in court for the third time in France: denies all criminal charges Telegram founder Durov clarifies 'not that I was arrested for TG to comply with European regulations': has long been willing to cooperate with the government. <Telegram founder Durov reveals: Living expenses are fully funded by Bitcoin, not from communication software profits> This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.