Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Leaves France for Dubai

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has reportedly left France and moved to Dubai after receiving court approval.

While the specifics of the ruling remain unclear, his departure has sparked discussions about jurisdiction, privacy, and the obligations of tech leaders in addressing illegal activities on their platforms.

Durov’s legal troubles began in August 2024 when he was briefly detained at Le Bourget airport in Paris. French prosecutors later accused him of running a platform that allegedly facilitated illicit transactions. Facing potential charges that could lead to a decade in prison and a hefty fine, he was released on bail but was initially required to stay in France pending the investigation.

Unverified reports suggest that either his case has been resolved or he was granted permission to leave while legal proceedings continue. While Durov has not confirmed his departure publicly, French officials have yet to issue an official statement.

Following the news, Toncoin (TON), the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), saw an 18% surge in price, reflecting market optimism.