For how much did Facebook buy WhatsApp - briefly?
Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion in February 2014. This acquisition marked one of the largest deals in Silicon Valley history.
For how much did Facebook buy WhatsApp - in detail?
On February 19, 2014, Facebook announced its acquisition of WhatsApp in a deal valued at approximately $19 billion. This figure includes $4 billion in cash and about $15 billion worth of Facebook shares. The acquisition represented one of the largest tech deals at the time and underscored Facebook's strategic move to expand its presence in the messaging sector.
The transaction was finalized on October 4, 2014, following regulatory approvals from various authorities, including the European Commission. This significant investment by Facebook aimed to bolster its messaging capabilities, integrate WhatsApp with other Facebook services, and leverage WhatsApp's extensive user base, which at the time consisted of over 600 million active users worldwide.
The acquisition highlighted Facebook's commitment to expanding its ecosystem and enhancing its competitive position in the rapidly evolving digital communications landscape. The integration of WhatsApp into Facebook's portfolio has since led to the development of new features, such as encrypted messaging and business-focused tools, further solidifying WhatsApp's role as a key component within the broader Facebook platform.