Facebook to Acquire WhatsApp for $16 Billion USD

Facebook will soon be the proud new owner of WhatsApp, but has said that it will allow the popular messaging app to retain its brand and operate independently. The deal includes $12 billion in Facebook shares, $4 billion in cash, and an extra $3 billion in Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for employees. As to what Facebook is getting through the deal, WhatsApp boasts some incredible figures including over 450 million users a month with 70% of those people online on a given day, a message volume nearing the global telecom SMS volume, and more than 1 million new registered users a day.

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg commented on the acquisition:

“WhatsApp had every option in the world, so I’m thrilled that they chose to work with us. I’m looking forward to what Facebook and WhatsApp can do together, and to developing great new mobile services that give people even more options for connecting. I’ve also known Jan for a long time, and I know that we both share the vision of making the world more open and connected. I’m particularly happy that Jan has agreed to join the Facebook board and partner with me to shape Facebook’s future as well as WhatsApp’s.”

For complete details about the acquisition, see Facebook’s post on its blog here.