"Discord's Expanding Marketplace and Monetization Efforts Aim to Justify $15 Billion Valuation"

Discord, the popular messaging service used by gamers, is expanding its online marketplace of virtual goods and digital customization tools in an effort to justify its $15 billion valuation. The marketplace, called Shop, was initially available only to subscribers of Discord's premium Nitro offering but will soon be accessible to all users. Discord aims to generate revenue through the sale of digital items like avatar decorations. The company is also emphasizing user safety by introducing a warning system for content moderation violations and implementing a safety tool for younger users. Discord is differentiating itself from social media companies by avoiding digital advertising and focusing on subscription-based revenue.