Telegram now has over 1 billion monthly users, with 450 million active daily. India led global downloads in 2024 with about 100 million installs, followed by the U.S. and Russia, each surpassing 38 million, according to Magnetto, a digital marketing agency specializing in Telegram advertising, in its Telegram Marketing Report 2025.

The platform is increasingly used by brokers and CFD and crypto firms for client onboarding, marketing, and trading activities.

Brokers Adopt Mini Apps for Trading

Brokers such as NAGA and Blum have adopted Telegram mini apps to manage client onboarding, deposits, and trading directly within the platform. This integration has contributed to client growth and higher transaction volumes. Channels and bots are widely used for communication and marketing purposes.

Telegram’s Role in Cryptocurrency Use

The report highlights Telegram’s role in cryptocurrency adoption. Nearly one-third of users have interacted with digital assets. Among these, 16 percent are experienced market participants, while 7 percent began with Toncoin, indicating the platform’s growing influence in introducing new users to crypto.

Telegram Shows Engagement, Forex Sector Remains Minimal

Forex companies have a limited presence on Telegram, despite its role in financial communities. As Alex Malgin, CEO at Magnetto, pointed out:

“While crypto companies are already making the most of Telegram, the Forex sector has yet to establish a presence. This is surprising since Forex and crypto target very similar audiences. Options trading is already on the platform, but Forex is still largely absent – so competition is low.”

This gap presents a clear opportunity for Forex brokers to reach an engaged audience with minimal competition.

“For Forex players, there is a clear advantage: Telegram’s audience is active, highly engaged, and responding well to financial advertising,” Malgin added.

User Demographics and Daily Engagement

Users aged 25 to 34 constitute the largest share at 29 percent. More than half of the global user base is male. Around 20 percent work in IT or internet-related fields, and 13 percent hold managerial positions. On average, users spend over 41 minutes per day on the app.

High Engagement Across Channels and Bots

Telegram channels receive over one trillion views each month, with open rates between 55 and 60 percent. More than 15 million people subscribe to Telegram Premium. Bots and mini apps are increasingly popular, with over 10 million active bots and 500 million users interacting with mini apps monthly.

Advertising and Industry Impact

Advertising tools are expanding, including Telegram Ads and Mini App Ads. Influencer marketing also plays a notable role in conversions. The report notes that mini apps could affect industries from e-commerce to fintech, though challenges persist in analytics and monetization.

Telegram Scams Rise Amid Growing Broker and Crypto Use

Telegram has been linked to coordinated pump-and-dump schemes, where groups manipulate stock prices before selling for profit. Regulatory authorities in Australia have prosecuted several individuals involved in such activities.

Fraudsters also use Telegram alongside AI tools to run pig butchering and romance scams. Victims are often contacted on other platforms first, then moved to Telegram for further fraudulent activity.

Some governments have taken action due to Telegram’s role in financial crimes. Vietnam, for example, announced plans to block the platform after it failed to cooperate with local authorities on illegal activity.

Surveys show Telegram is one of the platforms where traders most frequently lose funds to scams. A 2024 study indicated that over 60 percent of targeted traders reported financial losses after interacting with Telegram trading groups.

Clone scams are also common on the platform. Fraudsters impersonate well-known brands or signal providers to deceive users, with some fake channels amassing tens of thousands of followers before being reported.