Advertisement

Facebook Purchases WhatsApp For $19 Billion

Facebook has reached an agreement to acquire WhatsApp, a cross-platform mobile messaging company that allows users to send messages to friends and family via mobile broadband.

The transaction will cost Facebook $19 billion: $4 billion paid in cash and $12 billion paid in Facebook shares. An additional $3 billion will be paid in restricted stock units to WhatsApp founders and employees over a four-year period once the acquisition is completed.

The real-time mobile messaging app — which currently has more than 300 million daily active users — will continue to operate independently as a stand-alone service, and will maintain its own brand image. In addition, Jan Koum, WhatsApp co-founder and CEO will be joining Facebook’s Board of Directors.

“WhatsApp is on a path to connect one billion people,” noted Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook. “The services that reach that milestone are all incredibly valuable. I’m excited to partner with [WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum] and his team to make the world more open and connected.”

Advertisement

This acquisition news has emerged following Zuckerberg’s attempt to acquire Snapchat for approximately $3 billion. Snapchat is a mobile messaging app that allows users to send photos that disappear once they’re opened for 10 seconds. Some reports point to the WhatsApp acquisition as a way for Facebook to improve its breadth of messaging services.

The filing indicated that Facebook has agreed to pay a breakup fee of $1 billion to WhatsApp should the deal fall through.

Featured Event

View the Retail Trendcaster Webinar Series on-demand to uncover key 2025 retail trends, from AI and personalization to social commerce. Gain expert insights, data-driven predictions, and actionable takeaways to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Retail Trendcaster Webinar Series
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Uncovering What’s Next in Retail

On-Demand Limited Video Series

Q1 is a pivotal time for retail, with experts analyzing holiday sales and forecasting trends. View the full lineup of the Retail Trendcaster video series for insights on consumer spending, AI, personalization, social commerce, and more—helping you focus on what truly matters in 2025.

Brought to you by
Retail TouchPoints
Access Now
Retail TouchPoints is a brand of Emerald X LLC. By clicking the button and submitting information, you acknowledge and agree that your information may be shared with corporate affiliates of Emerald X LLC, and other organizations such as event hosts, speakers, sponsors, and partners. Please read our Privacy Policy and our Terms Of Use for more information on our policies.

Access The Media Kit

Interests:

Access Our Editorial Calendar




If you are downloading this on behalf of a client, please provide the company name and website information below: