Telegram's t.me domain was suspended from global DNS after being placed on server hold by its registry operator. The domain, which powers billions of shared links for the messaging platform, now returns NXDOMAIN errors worldwide. Domain records show t.me is paid through May 2035, ruling out expiration. The suspension affects Telegram's core link infrastructure used across its roughly one billion monthly active users, with founder Pavel Durov publicly asking registry operator doMEn to investigate after receiving no advance notice.
Registry Operator Places t.me on Server Hold Status
The domain was placed on server hold, a registry-level status that stops a domain from being published in DNS. Every lookup now returns NXDOMAIN, the internet's standard response indicating an address does not exist. Industry publication Domain Name Wire confirmed the domain had not expired, with registration records showing payment through May 2035.
The .me extension is Montenegro's country-code domain, operated by doMEn, a Montenegro-based venture whose partners include backend registry provider Identity Digital and Godaddy. The registry's partnership with Telegram made t.me the shortlink domain powering t.me/username and t.me/channel links shared across the web. Domain Name Wire noted that server hold "is put in place by the registry, which suggests the registry has suspended the domain name."
Durov Asks doMEn to Investigate on X
Telegram founder and chief executive Pavel Durov responded publicly on X, stating: "Hey @domainME, t.me links stopped working. Can you look into it?" He noted the company received no advance notice of the registry action.
The suspension occurs during sustained legal pressure on Durov, who was reportedly questioned by French investigators for a fourth time last week in connection with his August 2024 arrest. No link between that probe and the domain action has been established.
Suspension Disrupts Crypto Trading Channels and Onboarding Links
Telegram serves as a primary coordination platform for crypto projects, exchanges, traders and researchers who share channels and groups almost exclusively as t.me links. Trading bots onboard users through the same link format. The app itself continues functioning, but invite links, channel URLs embedded across websites and pinned social posts now fail globally.
Telegram's crypto wallet is adding tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs through Kraken and Backed, part of a push to turn the messenger into a financial hub. The platform has roughly one billion monthly active users.
FAQ
What caused Telegram's t.me domain to stop working?
The domain was placed on server hold by its registry operator doMEn, a status that removes a domain from global DNS. Domain records show t.me is paid through May 2035, ruling out expiration as the cause.
How did Pavel Durov respond to the t.me suspension?
Durov posted on X asking doMEn to investigate, stating "t.me links stopped working." He noted Telegram received no advance notice of the registry action before the domain was suspended.
