The global Web3 space was thrown into turmoil on Saturday when Pavel Durov, co-founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested at Le Bourget airport in France. The 39-year-old French-Russian national was detained by the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) after arriving on a private jet. While details of the arrest remain sparse, some reports suggest it may be connected to alleged criminal activities facilitated through Telegram.
Impact on the Crypto Market
Durov’s arrest sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency community, leading to a sharp decline in the value of Telegram’s associated tokens. TON, the platform’s initiative token, saw its price drop by 16% within an hour of the news, and Notcoin, a popular token launched on the TON blockchain earlier this year, experienced a similar decline. Investors expressed growing concerns over the future of Telegram and its related projects.
The uncertainty also cast a shadow over the upcoming launch of $DOGS, a Web3 project scheduled to debut on major crypto exchanges on Monday. Despite the apprehension, the $DOGS team announced on Sunday that the project would proceed as planned, reassuring their community that the price listing would go live as scheduled.
A Year of Telegram-Based Web3 Projects
The arrest comes at a time when Telegram has become a hub for Web3 projects, particularly those leveraging its tap-to-earn model. From Notcoin to TapSwap, Hamster Kombat to Blum, and now $DOGS, the platform has been at the center of a growing trend where users tap their screens to earn rewards in cryptocurrency. The ongoing popularity of these projects underscores Telegram’s significance in the Web3 ecosystem.
Details Surrounding Durov’s Arrest
Pavel Durov, who was born in Russia and now resides in Dubai, founded Telegram in 2013. The app has faced significant challenges, including a ban in Russia in 2018 (later reversed in 2021) after Durov refused to hand over user data. Today, Telegram ranks among the most popular social media platforms globally.
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Durov’s arrest was initiated by a French search warrant issued by the Office of the French National Judicial Police Directorate (OFMIN). The warrant, valid only on French territory, allowed authorities to detain Durov as he landed in France from Azerbaijan. He was reportedly accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman at the time of his arrest.
French investigators allege that Telegram’s features—such as its lack of content moderation, use of disposable numbers, and support for cryptocurrencies—have enabled illegal activities including drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud. They claim Durov’s refusal to cooperate with law enforcement and failure to curb illicit content on the platform make him complicit in these crimes.
Following his arrest, Durov was placed in custody by the National Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF) and is expected to face charges including terrorism, drug trafficking, complicity, fraud, money laundering, and involvement in child abuse content.
$DOGS Launch to Proceed Despite Arrest
Telegram’s central role in hosting Web3 projects has made Durov’s arrest a significant concern for the crypto community. Despite speculations that the arrest might delay the $DOGS launch, the project’s team confirmed that the price listing on major exchanges like Binance, Bybit, Bitget, and Gate.io would go on as planned.
In a post on the project’s Telegram group, the team expressed solidarity with Durov, sharing a photo of him with the caption:
“We stand with Pavel @Durov, privacy and truth. Which is particularly important now. #FREEDUROV.”
Later, they reassured the community with another message:
“Hey Dogs, Telegram is our home. This is where we build, communicate, and find our community. We love this place, just as it is. We stand with privacy and truth. We stand with Pavel and Telegram, in both good times and hard times. Tomorrow, 26th of August, at 12:00 pm UTC, you will see the Telegram $DOGS on all major exchanges. Stay strong and united, no matter what.”
The team remains committed to their launch timeline, highlighting their unwavering support for Durov and the values that Telegram represents.