Crypto Leaders Rally for Pavel Durov’s Release Amid Arrest Controversy

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether and CTO of Bitfinex, has expressed his concerns about the recent detention of Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram and TON.

Durov was arrested at a Paris airport after arriving from the CIS region and could face up to 20 years in prison for allegedly refusing to comply with French law enforcement demands and for not censoring content on Telegram.

French officials claim this has contributed to a rise in illegal activities on the platform. The arrest has sparked a strong reaction from the cryptocurrency and free speech communities.

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), was among the first to speak out, using the hashtag #FreePavel in his tweet. Ardoino echoed Musk’s sentiments, expressing concern that such actions against platforms that resist censorship could undermine global free speech.

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Justin Sun, founder of Tron, also voiced support for Durov, suggesting the creation of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to advocate for Durov’s release.

Sun pledged $1 million to this initiative if it garners sufficient backing from the crypto community and urged Musk and entrepreneur Mario Nawfal to join the effort.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.