Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested at Bourget Airport, France, Indictment Looming

Pavel Durov, the Russian-French billionaire and founder of Telegram, was detained at Bourget Airport near Paris on Saturday evening. The arrest, which took place as Durov was traveling on his private jet, has drawn significant attention due to the ongoing investigation into Telegram's moderation policies.

Billionaire Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was detained at Bourget Airport, situated near Paris, on Saturday evening.

This arrest occurred as Durov was traveling on his private jet, and it has garnered substantial attention due to the ongoing investigation into Telegram's moderation policies by French authorities.

According to TF1 and BFM TV, the investigation focuses on Telegram's alleged failure to adequately moderate its platform, which authorities believe may have facilitated criminal activities.

As the investigation continues, Durov may face indictment, with developments expected as early as Sunday. This arrest not only places Durov in a precarious legal position but also highlights Telegram's operational practices, especially in regions like Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states where the app holds significant influence.

The news of Durov's arrest had an immediate impact on the cryptocurrency market, with Toncoin, a cryptocurrency linked to Telegram, experiencing a 20% drop, reaching a low of $5.6.

Despite the broader crypto market showing gains, uncertainty surrounding Durov's situation led to a massive sell-off. The in-app wallet on Telegram also saw significant liquidations in USDT, TON, and NOT tokens. The NOT token also suffered a steep decline, dropping by 21%.

However, Telegram has yet to provide an official statement on Durov's arrest or the investigation, and both the French Interior Ministry and police have declined to comment on the situation.