Argentinian Ethereum developer known as 'Fede's Intern' has been detained in Izmir, Turkey, following allegations from local authorities regarding misuse of the Ethereum network.
Circumstances of the Detention
Fede disclosed the incident on August 11 via his X page, noting that his lawyer had been informed of the allegations, which he called 'obviously wrong.' The developer insists that his work is limited to building blockchain infrastructure and that he faces misconceptions about his activities.
Community Reaction
The detention has sparked concern within the Ethereum and Solana communities. Ethereum advocate Ryan Sean Adams described the detention as 'very troubling.' He noted the irony of Istanbul being considered as a potential venue for Devcon 2026. Turkish crypto commentator Cenk argued that there was 'zero legal basis' for such claims.
Current Situation and Next Steps
Fede mentioned that he operates businesses across over a dozen sectors and has reached out to contacts in more than 10 countries to organize diplomatic efforts for his release. He reported being moved to a private room, provided with meals, and informed that arrangements were being made for a flight to Europe. The developer stated that he would release more information upon returning to Europe.
Fede's detention raises questions about the right to privacy in the blockchain industry and potential regulatory overreach in Turkey, which could impact the future of the digital asset sector in the country.
