A source close to Telegram refuted Financial Times reports to Durov’s Code, clarifying that $500 million in blocked bonds do not indicate Russian dependency due to sanctions.

The FT article claimed sanctions on Russia’s National Settlement Depository (NSD) immobilized the bonds. However, the source specifies these refer to a 2021 bond issuance, largely repaid by now, posing no risk to the company.

In 2025, Telegram issued $1.7 billion in bonds, bought almost entirely by U.S. funds like BlackRock and Citadel, with no Russian investors involved and no ties to Russian financial infrastructure.

Interest and principal payments flow through an international payment intermediary that distributes funds to holders, bypassing direct Russian exposure.

source: kod

Keep an eye on the daily Telegram news from OnlyTG.