In a surprising move that has caught the attention of both the tech world and gaming communities, Jason Citron, the co-founder and CEO of the popular social chat app Discord, has announced his resignation from his position.
The announcement, made on a Wednesday in early May 2025, marks a significant leadership change at a time when Discord is preparing for a potential public offering. This development raises questions about the future direction of the company.
Its user base, and its financial performance, especially as it continues to dominate the social communication landscape, particularly among gamers. We’ll explore what led to the resignation of Jason Citron, the appointment of Humam Sakhnini as the new CEO, and what this means for Discord moving forward.
More Read: Top Cybersecurity Stories from April 21, 2025
Who Is Jason Citron and Why Does His Resignation Matter?
Jason Citron is one of the co-founders of Discord, the app that has grown from a niche communication tool for gamers to one of the most widely used social platforms in the world. Launched in 2015, Discord has attracted millions of users who use the platform to chat while gaming, join communities based on their interests, and even collaborate on projects.
Citron, along with co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy, created Discord as a response to the lack of a reliable and high-quality voice chat platform for gamers. Discord’s success can be attributed to its easy-to-use interface, a variety of customization options for servers, and its commitment to providing a free service.
Over the years, the platform expanded its features, offering video calling, screen sharing, and even community-building tools that turned it into a multifaceted platform, serving various communities beyond gaming, including education, business, and entertainment.
Citron’s decision to step down as CEO is monumental because he was the face of Discord’s success. His leadership allowed the app to grow from a small startup to a household name. Under his direction, Discord became synonymous with gaming culture and built a user base of over 200 million active users, a testament to Citron’s vision.
While his resignation may surprise many, Citron himself acknowledged in a statement that he has always considered himself more of an “early-stage” entrepreneur and “builder.” The move to bring in new leadership, such as Humam Sakhnini, signals that Discord is ready for the next phase in its evolution as a company, especially as it looks toward a potential public offering in the near future.
Introducing Humam Sakhnini: The New CEO of Discord
Humam Sakhnini is the newly appointed CEO of Discord, and his background in the video game industry makes him a strong fit for leading the company through its next chapter. With over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry, Sakhnini brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be crucial as Discord continues to cater to its gamer-centric user base while expanding its offerings to new markets.
Before joining Discord, Sakhnini was the vice chairman at Activision, one of the largest video game publishers in the world. He played a key role in overseeing operations at Activision during its landmark $69 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2023.
His deep understanding of the gaming ecosystem, coupled with his experience in leading major industry players, positions him well to lead Discord through its next phase of growth.
Sakhnini’s track record of successfully managing large, high-profile deals, such as the Activision acquisition, is likely to be one of the key assets he brings to Discord. As the company gears up for a potential IPO, his strategic vision and corporate experience will be crucial in navigating the complex financial landscape of going public.
Citron has expressed confidence in Sakhnini’s abilities, stating in a press release that the appointment of someone with Sakhnini’s experience is a crucial step toward preparing the company for its eventual public offering. Citron will remain involved with Discord in an advisory role, continuing to provide insight as the company transitions under new leadership.
Discord’s Growing Popularity and Its Potential IPO
Discord’s user base has grown exponentially over the years, driven largely by the platform’s appeal to gamers and its versatility in serving various community interests. In 2021, Discord was valued at roughly $15 billion by private investors, a figure that reflects its growing influence in the tech and gaming sectors.
The app’s success has allowed it to compete with other major social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, although it maintains a niche position primarily focused on gaming and community building.
Despite its success, Discord has not been immune to the challenges of the rapidly changing tech landscape. The app has faced competition from other platforms offering similar features, and its monetization strategies have evolved over time to help maintain its profitability.
Discord currently generates revenue through its premium subscription service, which offers features like enhanced audio quality, custom Discord tags, and increased server capacity. Additionally, the company has increasingly explored revenue from advertising and microtransactions within the app.
Discord’s decision to explore a potential IPO comes at a time when the company is experiencing both growth and increasing competition. The gaming industry is a multi-billion dollar sector, and Discord stands at the intersection of communication, community, and gaming.
A public offering would allow Discord to raise funds to continue developing its platform, expand its market share, and invest in new features and technologies.
However, going public also brings challenges, including increased scrutiny from investors, the pressure to meet quarterly earnings expectations, and the need to maintain the app’s unique community-oriented culture while meeting the demands of shareholders.
With Sakhnini now at the helm, Discord is poised to navigate these challenges, and his leadership will be key in ensuring that the company remains focused on its core mission while preparing for the next phase of growth.
Discord’s Recent Developments: A New Era for the Platform
The resignation of Jason Citron comes at a pivotal moment for Discord, as the company has recently made several key moves that have expanded its influence and solidified its place as a social platform for various communities.
One of the most notable events was Discord’s participation in the gaming conversation around child safety on the internet. Last year, Citron testified before a U.S. Senate hearing on online child safety, where he and other tech executives were grilled about the safety measures on their platforms.
This move was seen as Discord’s commitment to improving safety for younger users while also acknowledging the platform’s responsibility in maintaining a secure and positive space for everyone. Citron’s appearance at the hearing demonstrated that Discord is aware of the challenges it faces as it scales and that the company is dedicated to making safety a top priority.
Additionally, Discord has taken steps to diversify its revenue streams. While the premium subscription service has been a cornerstone of Discord’s financial model, the company has also expanded into areas like advertising and microtransactions.
These efforts show that Discord is evolving from its origins as a free-to-use communication tool into a more sustainable business model while retaining the core features that make it beloved by users.
What Does Citron’s Resignation Mean for Discord Users?
For Discord’s users, the resignation of Citron is unlikely to result in immediate changes to the platform itself. Discord has built a strong community over the years, and its core features—server creation, voice and video chat, and customizable profiles—are unlikely to be altered significantly under Sakhnini’s leadership.
The focus will likely remain on improving the user experience, expanding features, and strengthening the platform’s position in the competitive landscape. However, as Discord continues to grow, users may see increased efforts to scale the platform in new ways.
For example, Discord may introduce more ways for users to engage with each other, whether through enhanced community-building tools or new features that make it easier to collaborate and connect with others. Additionally, with Sakhnini’s gaming industry expertise, there may be more efforts to integrate Discord with other platforms and services within the gaming ecosystem.
For now, it’s business as usual for Discord’s millions of users, who rely on the platform for everything from casual gaming chats to professional collaboration. However, the leadership change signals that Discord is ready to evolve and take on new challenges as it prepares for the future.
Frequently Asked Question
Why did Jason Citron resign as CEO of Discord?
Jason Citron resigned as CEO to focus on new leadership for Discord as it prepares for a potential public offering. Citron has mentioned that he sees himself more as an “early-stage” builder and believes bringing in someone with experience in managing large-scale operations, like Humam Sakhnini, is crucial for the company’s future growth.
Who is the new CEO of Discord?
The new CEO of Discord is Humam Sakhnini, a 15-year veteran of the video game industry. Prior to joining Discord, Sakhnini served as the vice chairman at Activision and played a key role in overseeing the company’s operations during its $69 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2023.
What does Jason Citron’s resignation mean for Discord users?
For Discord users, Citron’s resignation is unlikely to result in immediate changes to the platform. The core features of Discord—like voice chat, server creation, and customizable profiles—are expected to remain the same. However, under new leadership, Discord may introduce new features or changes as it continues to grow and expand its user base.
Is Discord planning to go public?
Yes, Discord is in discussions to go public as early as 2025. The company was valued at around $15 billion by private investors in 2021. Going public would allow Discord to raise funds for further expansion and development, although it also brings the challenges of increased scrutiny and pressure to meet financial expectations.
How has Discord grown since its launch?
Since its launch in 2015, Discord has grown from a simple communication tool for gamers to one of the most popular social platforms, with over 200 million active users. The platform’s flexibility, features like voice chat, video calls, and screen sharing, and its ability to serve diverse communities have helped it attract a broad user base.
How does Discord make money?
Discord primarily generates revenue through its premium subscription service, Discord Nitro, which offers features like enhanced audio quality, custom tags, and larger server capacities. The platform has also expanded its revenue streams by incorporating advertising and in-app purchases or microtransactions.
What role will Jason Citron play in Discord’s future?
Jason Citron will remain involved with Discord in an advisory role and continue to serve on the company’s board. Although he is stepping down as CEO, Citron’s experience and vision will still be a valuable asset as Discord moves forward under the leadership of Humam Sakhnini.
Conclusion
The resignation of Jason Citron as CEO of Discord is a significant turning point for the platform. Citron’s leadership helped shape Discord into the powerhouse it is today, and his decision to step down paves the way for a new chapter in the company’s journey. With Humam Sakhnini at the helm, Discord is poised to navigate the challenges of going public and expanding its user base while maintaining its core identity as a platform that brings people together.
