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News Consumption

Telegram Leads News Consumption in Uzbekistan, but Television Remains Most Trusted

Telegram channels are Uzbekistan’s most widely used news source, but television remains the most trusted, a national survey has found. The study, presented by the Mass Media Foundation in Tashkent on November 2, found that 51.6% of respondents used Telegram channels for news. Television followed at 44.6%, while 41.6% used social media. Trust followed a different pattern. Television was the most trusted source for 44.3% of respondents, compared with 11.3% for Telegram channels and 7.4% for news websites. The findings also show demand for more reliable reporting and greater attention to everyday problems. Some 41.3% of respondents said they lacked information about prices, employment, and social support. Another 40.6% wanted more coverage of people’s everyday problems. A Generational Divide The gap between Telegram and television was particularly pronounced across age groups. Among respondents aged 18–24, 66.2% used Telegram channels for news. Television led among those aged 55 and older, cited by 77.4%. However, the audiences overlap. Respondents could select up to three news sources, so the findings do not represent separate groups. Among Telegram users, 40% also received news from television. Telegram’s overall reach extended well beyond news consumption: 86.1% of respondents used the platform for communication or other activities. That figure should not be confused with the share using Telegram channels as a news source. Speed was the most frequently cited reason for choosing information sources, mentioned by 48.6% of respondents. Access at any time and from any location followed at 31%. Demand for Reliable Reporting Nearly half of social media users, 48.7%, said they had encountered false or unreliable information. Some 37.5% reported a shortage of verified news, while 31.6% wanted more objective coverage. These findings do not establish why television received higher trust ratings than Telegram, but they do show concerns about the quality of information available online. Across the full sample, 46.6% considered the spread of false information the main problem in the media environment. When asked what improvements they expected, 27.6% called for more in-depth analysis and 22.5% for an objective presentation of different viewpoints. Television viewers also identified shortcomings, including repetitive programming and excessive advertising. Rural respondents wanted more educational programs and coverage of life outside the capital, including everyday social and economic problems. How the Study Was Conducted Interviewers spoke face-to-face with 1,411 adults at their homes across all 14 regions from September 8 to 19, 2026. The organizers said the multistage sampling method produced nationally representative results. Urban residents accounted for 53.9% of the sample and rural residents for 46.1%. The study was a joint initiative of the Public Foundation for the Support and Development of National Mass Media and the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan. The Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media, under the Presidential Administration, was also a partner. The public opinion research center Ijtimoiy Fikr collected and analyzed the data. Respondents also assessed freedom of speech and media independence. Some 49.7% rated them highly, while 45.2% gave a medium rating, citing restrictions on coverage of certain topics....

Internet Outages

Telegram Outage Affects Users Across Kazakhstan

Telegram users across Kazakhstan reported widespread disruptions to the messaging service on August 13. Messages were delayed and media files failed to load, while some users were unable to access Telegram on mobile or desktop devices. The outage monitoring service Detector404 recorded a sharp rise in reports from several regions. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development confirmed that it had received complaints and was examining them, although its initial statement did not identify the cause of the disruption. Telegram is widely used in Kazakhstan for personal communication and news, while government agencies and businesses also use the platform. The influence of Telegram channels has led officials to raise concerns about anonymous accounts and disinformation. Kazakhtelecom, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, said its network was operating normally, with no disruptions detected in its infrastructure. However, the company recorded a sharp drop in Telegram traffic at international interconnection points in Frankfurt and Moscow and asked Telegram’s administrative team for an explanation.

Crypto Stocks

Wallet in Telegram Launches Crypto Stocks Pilot for 27 Million Users in Uzbekistan

A new digital investment service allowing users to trade tokenized U.S. stocks directly within Telegram has been launched in Uzbekistan as part of a pilot program overseen by the country’s National Agency for Prospective Projects. On March 5, a new “Crypto Stocks” section was introduced within the Wallet feature in Telegram, giving users access to more than 60 tokenized shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The one-month pilot program began in March 2026 and is being implemented with support from Asterium, described as Uzbekistan’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The service allows users to buy, sell, store, and transfer tokenized versions of shares in major U.S. companies such as Apple, Tesla, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as ETFs tracking the broader U.S. market, including funds linked to the S&P 500 index. These assets can be sent directly to other Telegram users within the app without requiring them to open accounts on traditional brokerage platforms. According to the developers, the system is designed to make global investment tools easier to access for everyday users. Investments can start from as little as $1, allowing users to purchase fractional shares rather than full stocks. According to Global Findex 2025 data cited in the release, more than 60% of Uzbekistan’s population now has an account with a bank or other financial institution. However, barriers such as limited funds, the distance to bank branches, and the cost of financial services continue to prevent many people from accessing traditional financial products. Andrew Rogozov, founder and CEO of The Open Platform and Wallet in Telegram, said the new service aims to make global financial markets accessible through familiar digital platforms. “By bringing tokenized equities into Telegram, we’re giving millions of people their first opportunity to participate in global financial markets directly where they communicate and use digital services,” he said. Diyorbek Mukhammedov, Wallet’s regional director in Uzbekistan, said the initiative responds to growing interest in investing while addressing the complexity that often discourages new investors. Integrating the service into Telegram, he said, helps make financial tools more understandable and accessible. The system operates through integration with the xStocks platform and a partnership with the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange. Tokenized assets are issued by Backed and are designed to maintain one-to-one backing with underlying U.S. stocks and ETFs. Trading on the platform is available 24 hours a day on weekdays. Wallet in Telegram, backed by The Open Platform, reports more than 150 million registered users globally. The service became available in Uzbekistan in December 2025 after receiving a license from the National Agency for Prospective Projects.

Finance

Wallet in Telegram Launches in Uzbekistan, Expanding Crypto Access to Millions

Wallet in Telegram, a global digital asset service integrated directly into the Telegram messaging app, officially launched in Uzbekistan on December 9, opening up crypto access to more than 27 million local users. The move marks a major expansion of Telegram’s financial ecosystem and reinforces Uzbekistan’s role as a regional leader in regulated digital finance. The service allows users to buy, store, and transfer cryptocurrencies without needing to install additional applications. Registration takes only seconds, and transactions can be completed using local payment systems such as Humo, Visa, and Mastercard. Wallet currently supports Bitcoin, Toncoin, USDT, and over 200 other digital assets. According to the company, the goal is to make crypto transactions as seamless as sending a message, an especially relevant approach in Uzbekistan, where Telegram usage exceeds 88% of the internet-connected population. By embedding financial tools into an everyday platform, Wallet aims to normalize digital asset use and broaden access to global financial technologies. The technical infrastructure for Wallet’s Uzbekistan launch is provided by Asterium, the country’s largest crypto ecosystem and a key fintech player. Asterium is responsible for ensuring secure transactions, identity verification, and data protection. “Our mission at Asterium is to make working with crypto assets simple and accessible for everyone. Wallet in Telegram reflects our product philosophy: it is convenient, transparent, and secure, meaning it is genuinely useful for people,” said Komilhodja Sultonov, CEO of Asterium. The service was licensed by Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP), the regulatory body overseeing the digital asset sector. Uzbekistan has developed one of Central Asia’s most comprehensive legal frameworks for crypto, with a strong focus on user protection and structured innovation. In response to questions from The Times of Central Asia, NAPP clarified how Wallet aligns with current regulations. Askarjon Zakirov, Head of the Crypto-Assets Turnover Sphere Development Department, emphasized that Uzbekistan legally distinguishes crypto assets from fiat currency. “Firstly, we say that a crypto asset is not a means of payment or a monetary equivalent,” he said. [caption id="attachment_40689" align="aligncenter" width="300"] @TCA/Sadokat Jalolova[/caption] Zakirov explained that crypto is treated as a form of property under Uzbek law. As such, transferring cryptocurrency is regarded as a transfer of property rights rather than a financial transaction with monetary obligations. Pavel Khristolubov, COO of Fintech and Web3 at Wallet in Telegram, also underscored the platform’s commitment to regulatory compliance. “It’s very important for us to operate within the framework of our license. This means we don't compete with local payment systems,” he said. Khristolubov added that Wallet users can choose between custodial services and non-custodial, on-chain options, offering varying degrees of freedom and security. Andrew Rogozov, CEO of The Open Platform (TOP), the technology company behind Wallet, described Uzbekistan as one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets. “By combining Telegram’s scale with regulatory clarity and high mobile adoption, we see Uzbekistan as a model for how emerging markets can leapfrog into convenient, technology-driven finance,” he said. Globally, Wallet in Telegram has over 150 million registered users. Its launch...

Drug Trafficking

Uzbek Authorities Dismantle Major Telegram-Based Drug Trafficking Network

Uzbek customs officials have dismantled a large-scale regional drug trafficking network operating via the Telegram messaging app, revealing one of Central Asia’s most extensive online narcotics markets. Several key distributors were arrested in a series of coordinated operations carried out in August and September 2025, according to Uzbekistan’s customs service. At the center of the investigation was a darknet drug marketplace known as “Deadpool,” which had been active since 2017 and maintained a following of around 4,000 subscribers. On August 31, a special operation in the Khodjaobod district of Andijan region led to the arrest of a suspect caught with 602 grams of alpha-PVP, a synthetic stimulant. The drugs had been smuggled from Kyrgyzstan. Investigators determined that the individual had been working with the Deadpool network since 2023 and was involved in distributing nearly 50 kilograms of synthetic drugs over a two-year period. A second major operation was conducted on September 10 in the Zangiota district of Tashkent region, where two additional suspects were detained while receiving a package containing 492.2 grams of clephedrone. Authorities stated that both individuals had been affiliated with the network for at least six months and were responsible for distributing over 12,500 doses of synthetic drugs. Each distributor reportedly managed a network of at least 10 “zakladchiki,” or low-level dealers, who placed drugs in public spaces such as parks and areas near educational institutions across multiple districts of Tashkent. A criminal case has been opened, and investigations are ongoing. The crackdown in Uzbekistan coincides with a broader regional effort to combat synthetic drug trafficking. In Kazakhstan, Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov reported that authorities seized 6.4 tons of narcotics during the first half of 2025. This included 570 kilograms of synthetic substances, nearly double the amount seized during the same period last year and led to the closure of 103 illegal drug laboratories. Kazakhstan's law enforcement also blocked more than 17,000 drug-related websites, detained 474 suspects, and disrupted 63 smuggling operations. Among those arrested were 28 administrators of similar Telegram drug distribution channels.

AI Laboratory

Pavel Durov’s Telegram Launches AI Laboratory at Alem.ai in Astana

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has announced the launch of a dedicated artificial intelligence laboratory in Astana, housed within the newly inaugurated International Artificial Intelligence Center, Alem.ai. The Alem.ai center was officially opened on Thursday during the Digital Bridge 2025 forum in Kazakhstan’s capital. At the opening ceremony, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the center as a future global hub for the effective and ethical application of artificial intelligence. The initiative will bring together both domestic and international developers, with Telegram among the first companies to establish operations at the site. “A year ago, we opened our first regional office in Kazakhstan, and today we are pleased to launch a specialized AI laboratory inside Alem.ai,” Durov said. “This is a joint project between Telegram and Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer cluster, established by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. The technology will allow more than one billion people to use AI functions privately, transparently, and efficiently. We hope that Kazakhstan’s supercomputer cluster will become the first major provider of computing power for this network.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan launched the region’s most powerful supercomputer earlier this year. At the Digital Bridge 2025 forum, President Tokayev announced plans for a second cluster. On the sidelines of the event, he also met with Pavel Durov to discuss cooperation in education, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, according to the presidential press service. “The President highly appreciated Telegram’s contribution to advancing Kazakhstan’s digital agenda: the company officially joined Astana Hub, opened an office in Kazakhstan, and launched AI laboratories at Alem.ai,” the statement said. “For his part, Pavel Durov briefed Tokayev on prospects for joint projects in artificial intelligence.” Tokayev also discussed venture investment opportunities and the development potential of Kazakhstani AI startups with Stanford University professor Ilya Strebulaev. In addition, Tokayev held meetings with Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and former COO of G42. The talks focused on expanding Kazakh-Emirati cooperation in AI, including the ongoing Smart City project, which Tokayev called a milestone in bilateral relations. Tokayev also announced plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence University in Kazakhstan, with a strong focus on research and development. According to the presidential press service, he noted the importance of drawing on the UAE’s experience, where the world’s first IT-focused university is already in operation.