No Grok Deal Signed with Telegram, Musk Clarifies

Elon Musk has publicly denied any formal partnership between xAI’s Grok and Telegram, casting doubt on what was previously touted as a confirmed deal.

The surprise rebuttal came just hours after Telegram CEO Pavel Durov announced a one-year agreement to integrate Grok across all Telegram apps, with a rollout planned for this summer.

According to Durov, the move would not only bring Grok’s AI capabilities to Telegram’s global user base—now surpassing one billion—but also significantly enhance the platform’s financial position.

Specifications of the Alleged Telegram-Grok Deal

Durov announced that Telegram and Musk’s xAI have entered into a one-year partnership to bring Grok AI to Telegram’s billion-strong user base.

Under the agreement, Telegram is set to receive $300 million in a mix of cash and equity from xAI, along with 50% of the revenue generated from Grok subscriptions sold through the platform.

A promotional video accompanying the announcement highlighted plans for a broad rollout of Grok’s features directly within the Telegram app.

Users will be able to access Grok via the search bar, unlocking capabilities such as threaded conversations, smart text editing, chat summaries, document digests, inbox agents, and group moderation tools.

The bold integration has sparked speculation that Musk may soon launch his own official Telegram channel as part of the collaboration.

Grok’s Next Chapter: Elon Musk’s Vision Unfolds

Telegram’s potential partnership with xAI marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the AI chatbot landscape.

For Telegram, it signals a bold entry into the AI race—positioning the platform as a powerful distribution channel for emerging AI tools.

For xAI, it opens the door to a global user base far beyond its current reach on X (formerly known as Twitter).

If the deal is official, the rollout of Grok across Telegram is expected soon, giving the chatbot a fast track to scale.

The timing is especially notable, coming just after a technical outage on X, where Grok was initially deployed, and amid Musk’s ongoing efforts to stabilise and expand the platform.

Since Grok’s integration with X in March 2025, xAI has been steadily building momentum, bolstered by a $6 billion funding round.

These strategic partnerships put xAI in direct competition with top-tier AI firms and signal a growing push to redefine how conversational AI is deployed and monetised at scale.

Toncoin on a Roller Coaster Ride

The initial announcement of a Telegram–xAI partnership sent waves through the Toncoin (TON) community, driving the token up over 20% to a monthly high of $3.67.

But the surge was short-lived.

Within 30 minutes of Musk publicly denying any formal deal, TON dropped sharply to $3.27.

It has since recovered slightly to $3.34—still reflecting an 11.10% gain over the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.

This modest rebound may have been bolstered by Durov’s follow-up clarification: while the agreement is not yet finalised, he claimed it exists “in principle.”

Still, the conflicting statements have left investors on edge.

With no formal confirmation from Telegram, the apparent disconnect between Durov and Musk has raised questions around transparency and coordination.

Toncoin’s price often mirrors developments within Telegram’s ecosystem, given its close ties to the platform’s blockchain ambitions.

If the Grok integration fails to materialise, analysts warn of a potential deeper correction as speculative momentum fades.

Was Durov’s announcement premature or simply unfounded?