Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Regains Passport Access, TON Jumps 20%

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has regained access to his passport from French authorities, signaling an easing of his legal battle.

Durov was detained in France in August 2024 after arriving on a private jet at Le Bourget Airport. His arrest came as Telegram was accused of being under-moderated and allowing for the proliferation of illegal activity.

Specifically, there are claims that Telegram is being utilized for the trafficking of drugs and sharing child sexual abuse images.

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According to a statement on X, French authorities returned Durov's passport to him, allowing him freedom to leave the country.

"This news marks a significant moment of resolution," TON tweeted. "With nearly a billion users worldwide, Telegram represents a global movement committed to the freedom of communication and the inalienable right to privacy. As part of the decentralized TON community, we have stood in solidarity with Pavel, supporting his unwavering dedication to defending the right to free speech and privacy online."

In response, Toncoin (TON) surged over 20% in the past 24 hours, trading at $3.48 with a market cap of $8.63 billion.

Durov has been a strong advocate for privacy and secure communication, making his legal troubles particularly significant to the crypto and tech communities. Telegram has positioned itself as a platform committed to digital freedoms.

"We extend our deepest gratitude to our community, the broader tech industry, and all advocates of free speech who have been vocal in their support of Pavel," TON stated.

In January, the TON foundation said it would be focusing on the US market to grow operations with the aim to capitalize on a newly emerging, more permissive regulatory environment regarding crypto and social media under the Trump administration.

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The efforts will be led by Manuel “Manny” Stotz, a highly accomplished investor and advocate for blockchain technology, who has assumed the role of president of TON Foundation, replacing Steve Yun.

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