diff --git a/deltachat-ratelimit/src/lib.rs b/deltachat-ratelimit/src/lib.rs
index 351746adc..454e8dfc2 100644
--- a/deltachat-ratelimit/src/lib.rs
+++ b/deltachat-ratelimit/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,57 +1,43 @@
 //! # Rate limiting module.
 //!
-//! This module contains implementation of token bucket policy.
+//! This module contains implementation
+//! of [exponential rate limiting](https://dotat.at/@/2024-09-02-ewma.html).
+//! Implementation is simplified to only use one variable (`next_time`) to store the state.
 //! Its primary use is preventing Delta Chat from sending too many messages, especially automatic,
 //! such as read receipts.
 
-use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime};
+use std::time::{Duration, SystemTime, UNIX_EPOCH};
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct Ratelimit {
-    /// Time of the last update.
-    last_update: SystemTime,
-
-    /// Number of messages sent within the time window ending at `last_update`.
-    current_value: f64,
+    /// Next time we are allowed to send, i.e. when measured rate (number of messages sent within
+    /// the window) drops down to the limit `quota`.
+    ///
+    /// Measured in seconds since unix epoch.
+    next_time: SystemTime,
 
     /// Time window size.
-    window: Duration,
+    window: f64,
 
     /// Number of messages allowed to send within the time window.
-    quota: f64,
+    limit: f64,
 }
 
 impl Ratelimit {
     /// Returns a new rate limiter with the given constraints.
     ///
-    /// Rate limiter will allow to send no more than `quota` messages within duration `window`.
-    pub fn new(window: Duration, quota: f64) -> Self {
-        Self::new_at(window, quota, SystemTime::now())
-    }
-
-    /// Returns a new rate limiter with given current time for testing purposes.
-    fn new_at(window: Duration, quota: f64, now: SystemTime) -> Self {
+    /// Rate limiter will allow to send no more than `limit` messages within duration `window`.
+    pub fn new(window: Duration, limit: f64) -> Self {
         Self {
-            last_update: now,
-            current_value: 0.0,
-            window,
-            quota,
+            next_time: UNIX_EPOCH,
+            window: window.as_secs_f64(),
+            limit,
         }
     }
 
-    /// Returns current number of sent messages.
-    fn current_value_at(&self, now: SystemTime) -> f64 {
-        let rate: f64 = self.quota / self.window.as_secs_f64();
-        let elapsed = now
-            .duration_since(self.last_update)
-            .unwrap_or(Duration::ZERO)
-            .as_secs_f64();
-        f64::max(0.0, self.current_value - rate * elapsed)
-    }
-
     /// Returns true if it is allowed to send a message.
     fn can_send_at(&self, now: SystemTime) -> bool {
-        self.current_value_at(now) + 1.0 <= self.quota
+        now >= self.next_time
     }
 
     /// Returns true if can send another message now.
@@ -62,8 +48,20 @@ impl Ratelimit {
     }
 
     fn send_at(&mut self, now: SystemTime) {
-        self.current_value = f64::min(self.quota, self.current_value_at(now) + 1.0);
-        self.last_update = now;
+        let now = now
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap_or(Duration::ZERO)
+            .as_secs_f64();
+        let next_time = self
+            .next_time
+            .duration_since(UNIX_EPOCH)
+            .unwrap_or(Duration::ZERO)
+            .as_secs_f64();
+        self.next_time = UNIX_EPOCH
+            + Duration::from_secs_f64(
+                now + self.window
+                    * (((next_time - now) / self.window).exp() + 1.0 / self.limit).ln(),
+            );
     }
 
     /// Increases current usage value.
@@ -76,14 +74,7 @@ impl Ratelimit {
     }
 
     fn until_can_send_at(&self, now: SystemTime) -> Duration {
-        let current_value = self.current_value_at(now);
-        if current_value + 1.0 <= self.quota {
-            Duration::ZERO
-        } else {
-            let requirement = current_value + 1.0 - self.quota;
-            let rate = self.quota / self.window.as_secs_f64();
-            Duration::from_secs_f64(requirement / rate)
-        }
+        self.next_time.duration_since(now).unwrap_or(Duration::ZERO)
     }
 
     /// Calculates the time until `can_send` will return `true`.
@@ -100,7 +91,7 @@ mod tests {
     fn test_ratelimit() {
         let now = SystemTime::now();
 
-        let mut ratelimit = Ratelimit::new_at(Duration::new(60, 0), 3.0, now);
+        let mut ratelimit = Ratelimit::new(Duration::new(60, 0), 3.0);
         assert!(ratelimit.can_send_at(now));
 
         // Send burst of 3 messages.
@@ -109,6 +100,8 @@ mod tests {
         ratelimit.send_at(now);
         assert!(ratelimit.can_send_at(now));
         ratelimit.send_at(now);
+        assert!(ratelimit.can_send_at(now));
+        ratelimit.send_at(now);
 
         // Can't send more messages now.
         assert!(!ratelimit.can_send_at(now));