Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, announced that the messaging app has surpassed 1 billion active users, up from 950 million last year. The company also reported $547 million in profits for the previous year. Durov criticized WhatsApp as a 'cheap, watered-down imitation' of Telegram, claiming the rival has unsuccessfully tried to replicate its innovations. Meanwhile, Telegram has attracted crypto enthusiasts by integrating the TON blockchain and decentralized features. Durov recently returned to Dubai after resolving legal issues in France related to the platform's operations.