Telegram founder Pavel Durov has left France with court approval and moved to Dubai after legal restrictions were lifted.
Durov's Legal Troubles
In March, a French judge approved Pavel Durov's request to change his legal restrictions, allowing him to leave the country for "several weeks." Durov faced legal trouble in August last year when he was arrested in France. Prosecutors accused him of not doing enough to prevent the use of Telegram for criminal activities. He was ordered to stay in the country while the investigation continued. After posting a $5.5 million bail, Durov was permitted to depart.
Impact on the Crypto Market
News of Durov's departure led to a significant shift in the crypto market. Toncoin (TON), a cryptocurrency linked to The Open Network (TON), surged more than 18% to $3.41. Trading volume also skyrocketed by 200% to $486 million, and the market cap climbed to $8.4 billion.
Durov's Response to Accusations
Durov, who holds Russian, French, and UAE citizenships, defended himself against the accusations, insisting he has always cooperated with authorities. He stated he was available and ready to respond to all requests. During a December 2024 interrogation, Durov said, "I did not create Telegram for criminals," but admitted that some people misuse the platform.
Durov's move to Dubai raises questions about privacy and government control. Meanwhile, French officials have not yet issued an official statement.
