1. Impact on Crypto Market and VC Firms
2. Charges Against Pavel Durov and Investigations
3. Issues in Telegram and Europe

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is under scrutiny from authorities in various European countries, raising significant concerns among crypto investors and potentially leading to a market crash.

Impact on Crypto Market and VC Firms

The detention of Pavel Durov has a significant impact on the crypto venture capital sector. Leading VC firms such as Pantera Capital Management, Animoca Brands, and Mirana Ventures, which are major investors in Toncoin, are already feeling the effects. Pantera, for instance, invested more than $100 million in this project earlier this year. Lasse Clausen, founding partner at crypto VC firm 1kx, noted: "Most investors thought that obviously the app itself is going to foster and promote, or at least seed, the adoption of the Toncoin network. Now we have a case where a black swan event happens to the company itself and its founder—that might raise some questions about the future."

Charges Against Pavel Durov and Investigations

Pavel Durov has been preliminarily charged by a court in France for allowing alleged criminal activity on his platform. He was released on a €5 million bail but is required to report to the police twice a week and cannot leave the country. Telegram is also under investigation in India over concerns that the messaging app is being used for criminal activities such as extortion and gambling. The European Union is investigating if the app potentially breached digital rules by underreporting user numbers, as required by the Digital Services Act (DSA). In addition, Forbes reports that Durov is facing an unrelated criminal complaint of child abuse in Switzerland, filed by his former partner Irina Bolgar.

Issues in Telegram and Europe

While the Telegram project faces significant challenges, including the EU investigation and charges in various countries, it highlights the importance of compliance and transparency in the tech sector. Users and investors have the right to expect clear and stable operating conditions for the platforms they rely on.

The ongoing legal issues of Pavel Durov and the Telegram platform continue to create turbulence in the crypto market. Investors and users are closely monitoring developments that could significantly impact the future of Telegram and related projects.