Pavel Durov’s Release from Custody: Impact on Toncoin (TON)

The founder of the Telegram messenger, Pavel Durov, has been released from custody, but his case remains in the public eye. This news emerged on August 28, when the investigating judge changed the procedural status of his case, allowing for questioning and possibly charges to be brought. However, at the time of writing, a final decision on the case has not yet been made, and the situation continues to develop.

Arrest and Charges

Pavel Durov was detained at Le Bourget Airport on August 24. French authorities have charged him with several offenses, including aiding terrorism, drug trafficking, and selling stolen goods. These charges are related to Telegram’s refusal to control the content posted by users on the platform. The founder of the messenger has been in custody for four days, and changes in the procedural status of the case are necessary to conduct questioning and possibly bring charges.

According to CNN, the investigating judge decided to end Durov’s detention for the purpose of questioning. The charges against him include providing illegal cryptographic services, refusing to cooperate with law enforcement, complicity in the distribution of child pornography, aiding drug trafficking, and involvement with organized crime groups. These charges are the result of an ongoing investigation that began on July 8.

French authorities also issued arrest warrants for Pavel Durov’s brother, Nikolai, in March 2024. According to Politico, the warrants were issued for ignoring law enforcement requests. However, according to representatives of the Paris prosecutor's office, Pavel Durov’s case is not currently related to his brother.

Reaction from the Crypto Community

The news of Durov’s possible release has sparked an active reaction from the crypto community. TRON blockchain founder Justin Sun has promised to donate $1 million to create #FreePavel DAO, which marks a significant step in supporting Pavel. An open letter to the French government calling for Durov’s release has already collected over 2 million signatures, including names such as Vitalik Buterin and Elon Musk.

The cryptocurrency market also reacted to the news about Durov. The price of Toncoin (TON) initially surged to $6 on rumors of his release, but soon after the situation became clearer, the price slightly corrected and, at the time of writing, stands at $5.62. These market fluctuations were the result of misinformation and speculation.

Historical Context and Previous Incidents

It is also important to consider previous incidents involving Pavel Durov. In 2017, French and Arab intelligence services hacked his iPhone as part of an operation codenamed "Purple Music." The operation was aimed at gathering information on potential threats related to the use of Telegram for recruiting militants and planning attacks.

It should be noted that despite Durov’s release from custody, a final decision on the case has not yet been made. French authorities continue the investigation, and Pavel Durov’s future remains uncertain. The support from the crypto community and international celebrities underscores the significance of this case not only for Telegram but for the entire cryptocurrency world.

We will continue to monitor the developments and updates on Pavel Durov’s case. Further news is expected to have significant implications for his fate and the cryptocurrency community as a whole.