While I would be happy to pay for it in principle, the value of Telegram to me is that is has provided a platform for many political dissidents - individuals and groups - who might otherwise be persecuted for their beliefs and activism, and denied a platform for learning and discussion.

I could be wrong but I believe this is a popular reason for Telegram's appeal.

How many of those would be comfortable trusting Telegram with payment details, rather than just a pseudonym?