Updated on:12/24/2025 05:05 PM 
Telegram, the popular messaging platform founded by Pavel Durov, has intensified its competition with Meta's WhatsApp through a bold $50,000 contest designed to demonstrate Telegram's technological superiority and privacy-first approach. In a direct challenge to its competitor, Durov has labeled WhatsApp a "cheap copycat" accused of implementing delayed versions of features that Telegram pioneered years earlier.
Announced on May 15, this innovative contest will run until May 26, inviting users worldwide to create short videos showcasing Telegram's advanced features. The competition aims to highlight Telegram's long-standing leadership in messaging innovation, particularly within the rapidly growing cryptocurrency community that values security and privacy above all else.
"WhatsApp users deserve better than watered-down versions of features we've offered for years," stated Durov, emphasizing how Telegram has consistently set trends rather than followed them. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts and traders, this distinction is particularly important as secure communication forms the foundation of trust in digital asset transactions.
The contest specifically challenges participants to demonstrate over 30 features that Telegram introduced before WhatsApp, including channels, editable messages, disappearing chats, advanced stickers, and interactive polls. These capabilities have made Telegram especially popular among blockchain professionals who require robust, feature-rich communication tools for their work.
While WhatsApp boasts an impressive user base of over 3 billion, Telegram has carved out a significant niche within the cryptocurrency sector. Its open platform architecture and unwavering commitment to encryption standards have attracted users who prioritize privacy in their digital communications. Durov has consistently maintained that Telegram would rather exit markets than compromise its encryption principles—a stance that resonates strongly with privacy-conscious crypto participants.
"Our platform was built with privacy as a core principle, not as an afterthought," Durov explained. "This contest allows us to demonstrate how Telegram's features aren't just copied versions of what others offer, but truly original innovations designed with user security in mind."
The competition comes at a time when cryptocurrency security concerns are at an all-time high, with investors and traders increasingly seeking platforms that protect their sensitive information. By highlighting its technological lead and privacy-first approach, Telegram aims to solidify its position as the messaging platform of choice for the global crypto community.
