“Telegram + Money” still sounds like a scam to many. But does it have to be?

We all know the stereotype: if it’s a Telegram bot asking about money, it must be shady. And to be fair, the platform’s reputation hasn’t always helped - crypto pump-and-dumps, phishing schemes, anonymous bots… you get the picture.

But here’s the nuance: the problem isn’t Telegram itself - it’s how you build on top of it.

I recently launched NotiFin (t.me/notifinofficialbot) - a simple, free Telegram bot that reminds users about any kind of upcoming payments (rent, subscriptions, loan installments, you name it).
It collects no personal data, doesn’t ask for payment details, and lives quietly in your chat - helping users avoid late fees and financial surprises.

Still, the moment people hear “Telegram” and “finance” in the same sentence - the trust level drops.
And I get it.

🔍 A few things I found while researching this space:
According to Edelman Trust Barometer 2024, only 61% of global consumers trust banks to protect their personal data - and that’s banks.
In Telegram’s case, default chats aren’t end-to-end encrypted, and bots operate via cloud servers. This naturally raises privacy flags.
Users often say things like: “Telegram itself is fine - but I only trust bots with verified teams or public reputations.”

So, what can we - as builders - do?
✅ Communicate clearly: What data do you collect (if any)? Who are you? Where can users contact you?
✅ Build for minimal trust: Don’t ask users to hand over anything sensitive.
✅ Add friction-reducing signals: Verified accounts, social proof, recognizable branding, even code transparency if possible.
✅ Make it boringly reliable: Smooth UX, helpful reminders, zero surprises. That alone builds credibility.

Telegram has immense potential as a fintech interface - especially for emerging markets and mobile-first users. But that potential hinges on one thing: trust.

🧠 I’m curious - would you personally use a financial tool inside Telegram? Or does the “chatbot” format still feel risky to you?