The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov at Le Bourget airport in Paris has sparked a wave of condemnation and concern within the global crypto community.
Durov, who was detained on August 24, 2024, upon arriving from Azerbaijan on a private jet, is facing serious allegations, including terrorism, drug trafficking, fraud, and money laundering. French authorities, citing the platform’s lack of moderation and cooperation with law enforcement, have tied Durov to crimes allegedly facilitated through Telegram. This led to a fierce backlash from the tech and crypto sectors, which expressed concerns about the broader implications for software freedom and decentralization.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin criticized the detention, highlighting its potential threat to the future of open-source technology in Europe.
“I’ve criticized Telegram before for not being serious with encryption. But (given the info available so far: the charge seems to be just being “unmoderated” and not giving up people’s data), this looks very bad and worrying for the future of software and comms freedom in Europe,” tweeted Buterin.
The TON team, associated with The Open Network, reiterated its commitment to continuing its work despite Durov’s arrest. “As a community committed to free speech and decentralization, we stand firmly with Pavel during this challenging time,” the team stated, urging supporters to remain united.
Notably, Toncoin (TON), a cryptocurrency linked to telegram, saw its value plunge by almost 15% following the news before stabilizing later. Other assets, including the Notcoin (NOT) token, also experienced significant declines.
Meanwhile, Justin Sun, founder of Tron, proposed forming a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to support Durov’s legal defense. Sun offered to contribute $1 million to the FreePavel DAO, provided it gains sufficient community backing. However, some commentators questioned the necessity of such donations, given Durov’s estimated fortune of $15.5 billion.
That said, as the billionaire remains in custody, the French government has sought to clarify the reasons behind the arrest. On Monday, the Paris Tribunal of Justice stated that Durov’s detention is part of a broader investigation into cybercrimes, including the illegal provision of cryptographic services.
In a tweet, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that the arrest is not politically motivated, insisting that it “took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation.” He further emphasized that “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
That said, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Durov but for the entire tech and crypto landscape. On Tuesday, analysts from Galaxy Research cautioned that Durov’s arrest is likely just the beginning, signaling potential future crackdowns on tech leaders under similar accusations.
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