Telegram's TON Cryptocurrency Takes a Hit as Founder Durov Faces Legal Troubles
The Web3 world is often volatile and influenced by external factors. Crypto assets, in particular, are especially vulnerable in this context, as they can be directly affected by the actions of well-known individuals. Their actions can cause significant fluctuations in currency markets. An example of such influence is Elon Musk, who frequently draws public attention to Dogecoin, which often impacts its value.
Today, in our news article, Coinmooner wants to share a similar situation with readers. The spotlight is on 39-year-old billionaire Pavel Durov, who was detained in France on charges of aiding extremism and breaking the law. This event significantly impacted the market: the price of the cryptocurrency TON, integrated into the Telegram messenger, dropped by 18% and is currently trading at $5.61 per coin.
The team behind the development of the TON blockchain quickly reassured the community that the network continues to operate fully and that the situation does not affect its functionality. Additionally, it is worth noting that in July, Pavel Durov promised to release tokens for the clicker game Hamster Kombat based on the TON blockchain. He believes this innovation will attract hundreds of millions of new users to the crypto market, which could significantly strengthen the network's position.
Telegram's Founder Detained: How Pavel Durov's Arrest Could Change the Web3 Landscape
The recent event has sparked a comprehensive response not only in the Web3 industry but also worldwide, leading to a wave of outrage and discussions online. Many users ask why Pavel Durov chose to land in France if he knew he was wanted there. Coinmooner decided to investigate this situation and present it in more detail.
According to available information, Pavel Durov flew to France from Azerbaijan on a private jet. However, shortly after disembarking, he was detained by local law enforcement right at the plane's stairs. French media report that Durov could face charges of aiding the spread of extremist materials, child abuse content, fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and promoting terrorism. These charges raise serious concerns about the future of one of the most influential people in the tech world.
It's worth noting that Telegram, the platform created by Durov, has repeatedly refused to cooperate with French authorities. Media outlets report that the messenger adheres to a strict privacy policy and positions itself as an alternative to commercial platforms that actively use users' personal data for their own purposes. This is the core philosophy of Telegram—to protect the right to privacy, making it particularly attractive to users worldwide.
The history of Telegram's creation dates back to a time when Pavel Durov was under pressure from Russian authorities while working on his first social network, VKontakte. In an interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, Durov mentioned that creating an encrypted messenger arose during that time. In 2014, after selling VK, Durov left Russia and tried to settle in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco before eventually obtaining French citizenship. However, he ultimately chose Dubai as his permanent residence, citing its neutral business environment and favorable conditions for conducting business.
Currently, Pavel Durov, the owner of one of the largest messengers in the world, is in custody in France, and his temporary detention has been extended. Under French law, this can only be done once. There are many rumors surrounding this arrest, and some fear it could lead to the disclosure of Telegram users' data, which could, in turn, threaten the very idea of decentralization that this platform is so proud of. Coinmooner will closely monitor developments and promptly inform our readers of what’s happening. At the same time, we remind everyone that in the Web3 industry, it is crucial to use the most advanced protection methods and ensure the security of your data.