Argentinian Ethereum developer known as 'Fede's Intern' reported his detention in Turkey, where he faced accusations of assisting in the misuse of the ETH blockchain.
Allegations and Detention
Ethereum developer, known as 'Fede's Intern', was detained in Izmir, Turkey, accused of facilitating 'misuse' of the Ethereum network. He denied these allegations, stating that his work involves transparently building infrastructure for crypto projects. According to him, his activities and those of his partners are conducted openly across various industries in Europe.
Responses and Actions from the Developer
Fede stated on social media platform X that local authorities had informed his lawyer about potential charges. He plans to limit public comments and urged followers to reach out to his associates regarding the matter. The developer also expressed readiness to cooperate with Turkish authorities or any governing body, asserting that neither he nor his companies were involved in illicit activities. In his latest update, he mentioned that his detention would last three hours and he planned to explain the situation upon his return to Europe.
Context: Cryptocurrency Sector in Turkey
Turkish authorities have significantly tightened oversight over the cryptocurrency sector, implementing new anti-money laundering rules. Since February 25, 2025, all crypto transactions exceeding 15,000 TRY now require user identification, and providers can suspend transactions deemed 'risky'. Additionally, the Capital Markets Board (CMB) was endowed with the authority to regulate crypto asset service providers, including exchanges and wallets.
The situation surrounding the Argentinian Ethereum developer raises questions about the legal environment for crypto ecosystems in countries like Turkey, especially amid increasing regulatory oversight over the sector.
