Musk’s xAI pencils $300M deal with Telegram for Grok integration

xAI and Telegram Announce Partnership to Integrate Grok AI Chatbot

On May 28, 2025, Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s xAI to integrate its AI chatbot, Grok, into the Telegram platform. The agreement, described as “in principle,” involves a one-year collaboration where Telegram will distribute Grok and integrate it into its applications. In exchange, xAI will provide Telegram with $300 million in cash and equity, along with 50% of revenue generated from xAI subscriptions sold through Telegram.

Durov’s announcement, made via an X post and his Telegram channel, highlighted the extensive integration planned for Grok. Users will access Grok through Telegram’s search bar, leveraging its capabilities for threaded chats, smart text editing, chat summaries, document digests, inbox agents, and group chat moderation. A promotional video showcased the breadth of these features, promising a significant enhancement to the Telegram user experience. While Musk initially stated that “no deal has been signed,” Durov clarified that the agreement was in principle, with formalities pending. Speculation suggests Musk may create his own Telegram channel following this partnership.

Toncoin Price Surge Amidst Telegram News

The xAI-Telegram partnership announcement coincided with other positive Telegram-related news, contributing to a significant price increase for Toncoin (TON). Reports surfaced regarding BlackRock’s involvement in Telegram’s $1.5 billion bond sale and the appointment of Nikola Plecas, a former Visa crypto executive, as the new vice president of payments at the TON Foundation. Telegram’s close relationship with the TON Foundation, which designates Toncoin as the sole accepted cryptocurrency for its app services, likely amplified the positive market reaction.

Toncoin experienced a 20% surge within hours of the announcements, reaching $3.60 and securing its position as the 19th largest cryptocurrency with an $8.9 billion market capitalization. This price surge reflects the broader positive sentiment surrounding Telegram’s expanding ecosystem and strategic partnerships. The integration of Grok, alongside other developments, positions Telegram as a key player in the evolving landscape of AI and messaging applications.