TON Surges Nearly 15% As French Authorities Release Telegram’s Pavel Durov
Toncoin's price responded positively, but uncertainty remains over Durov’s legal future and the long-term trajectory of the TON blockchain.
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.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
The central bank sets a major tone on stablecoins for the first time—where will the market go from here?
This statement will not directly affect the Hong Kong stablecoin market, but it will have an indirect impact, as mainland institutions will enter the Hong Kong stablecoin market more cautiously and low-key.

Charlie Munger's Final Years: Bold Investments at 99, Supporting Young Neighbors to Build a Real Estate Empire
A few days before his death, Munger asked his family to leave the hospital room so he could make one last call to Buffett. The two legendary partners then bid their final farewell.

Stacks Nakamoto Upgrade
STX has never missed out on market speculation surrounding the BTC ecosystem, but previous hype was more like "castles in the air" without a solid foundation. After the Nakamoto upgrade, Stacks will provide the market with higher expectations through improved performance and sBTC.

Do Kwon Wants Lighter Sentence After Admitting Guilt

