[pratchett]

How are messaging apps still getting these valuations when Telegram, signal, Whatsapp and lime chat exist?

[kevincox]

They all want to be the WeChat of the rest of the world. They want a platform that people live inside and all other companies just become apps inside their store (where they collect a tax of course).

None of the mentioned apps have managed to do this. Maybe that is because there is no consumer interest, but it doesn't make the goal any less appealing.

[babypuncher]

They all seem to be missing the part where WeChat played out this way because the Chinese government mandated it, not because people have an inherent desire to do everything in a single "app". WeChat is an island of Chinese-controlled services and content within a sea of Western-run mobile platforms.

[happymellon]

Only one of those doesn't require your phone number.

It'll be nice when we get to the point where we can have a proper working chat app that doesn't require one. Hangouts used to be great but Google has to always make sure their chat doesn't work.

[flangola7]

Without a phone number how do you prevent abuse and spam?

[vinyl7]

The economy is detached from reality

[ido]

this was also 2 years ago, at the peak of the madness. These days it's far less likely to get that kind of money.