TON Surges Nearly 15% As French Authorities Release Telegram’s Pavel Durov

Toncoin (TON) has jumped nearly 15% over the weekend after French authorities permitted Telegram founder Pavel Durov to leave the country.

On March 15, the TON Foundation confirmed that French authorities had returned Durov’s passport, granting him the freedom to leave the country.

Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Leaves France

Following this development, French media outlet Le Parisien reported that Durov traveled to Dubai following months of legal restrictions.

Durov’s legal troubles date back to August 2024, when French authorities arrested him and alleged that Telegram failed to curb illicit activities on its platform.

Meanwhile, Durov’s case ignited global discussions on digital privacy and free speech, with critics calling the charges an attempt to control encrypted messaging platforms.

However, the French authorities accused him of failing to enforce adequate security measures to prevent fraud and illegal transactions. If convicted, he could face a ten-year prison sentence along with substantial financial penalties.

At the time, Durov secured his release after posting a multimillion-dollar bail but had been required to remain in the country and comply with legal proceedings.

Also, the situation prompted Telegram to revise its content moderation stance. The app updated its FAQ page to reflect a stricter policy on reporting illegal content.

Previously, Telegram maintained that all chats were private and would not entertain content-related requests. The new approach now urges users to flag violations through the “report” button.

Now that he has left the country, uncertainty lingers over whether the case has been dropped or if further legal actions will follow.

Despite the controversy, the TON Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to secure communication, emphasizing that blockchain technology remains a tool for digital freedom.

“Our commitment to these fundamental principles remains steadfast. We firmly believe that blockchain is #freedom technology — an innovative tool capable of transforming how we protect personal rights — and we are proud to be part of an ecosystem that empowers individuals to communicate freely and securely,” the foundation stated.

Toncoin’s Market Response and Future Prospects

The news of Durov’s departure sparked a bullish reaction among the TON community. Toncoin’s price climbed to $3.58 today, reflecting a 15% increase over the weekend. However, the token still remains 10% lower than its value a month ago.

Declining interest in Telegram mini-games and TON projects continues to impact the token’s price.

TON Weekly Price Chart. Source: BeInCrypto

While this surge signals renewed investor confidence, Toncoin’s long-term trajectory remains uncertain. Junai Dar, founder of crypto investment firm Bitward Invest, pointed out that activity on the TON blockchain had hit record lows, with some in the industry even declaring it “dead.”

“Potential revival? Could this be the catalyst for a TON comeback? With Durov back in action, are we going to see TON reclaim its Web3 dominance?,” Dar questioned.

Dar suggested that Durov’s return to a more active role could mark a turning point for Toncoin. Last year, the network saw rapid adoption driven by Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat, which fueled a surge in user engagement.