Pavel Durov slams French Telegram probe as ‘legally absurd’
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has denounced a criminal probe by French authorities as “legally and logically absurd,” challenging charges that Telegram enabled organized crime and criticizing improper data requests. Although granted permission to travel to Dubai, Durov remains bound to return to France every 14 days with no appeal date set, arguing that the case damages France’s image as a free country. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions over platform liability and content moderation. Telegram maintains it complies with all legitimate legal requests and performs daily removal of harmful content in line with industry standards. Meanwhile, Telegram’s native token, Toncoin (TON), has fallen 6.4% over the past week to $3.30—down 60% from its all-time high—highlighting market sensitivity to legal uncertainty. Toncoin powers peer-to-peer payments, staking, DeFi, NFT marketplaces and decentralized storage on the Telegram Open Network, which boasts nearly one billion monthly active users. Traders will be watching whether the legal battle affects Telegram’s operations or Toncoin’s adoption and price volatility.
Bearish
Legal uncertainty around a major platform and its associated token tends to weigh on trader confidence. Past regulatory probes into tech firms have triggered sell-offs in related assets. Toncoin’s recent 6.4% weekly drop and 60% decline from its ATH signal market sensitivity to Durov’s ongoing French case. In the short term, traders may reduce TON holdings amid unresolved legal risks. Long term, resolution could restore confidence, but immediate implications are predominantly negative for price stability.