The arrest of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, has sent ripples through the crypto world. Durov was detained by French authorities over allegations of enabling illegal activities through his messaging platform. His detention has sparked a heated debate on privacy and government control.
Crypto Leaders Unite to Support Durov
In response, the crypto community is rallying around Durov. Justin Sun, a well-known figure in the industry, has proposed the creation of a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) to fund Durov’s legal defense. He also pledged $1 million to kickstart the initiative, urging the community to join the #FreePavel movement.
Other crypto leaders have also voiced their support. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin emphasized the arrest’s broader implications for software and communication freedom in Europe. Privacy advocate Edward Snowden called Durov’s arrest a violation of human rights.
Resistance Dog Movement Revives Amid Arrest
Durov’s arrest has reignited the Resistance Dog movement, a symbol of the fight against censorship. The Resistance Dog, also known as REDO, features a dog in a hood. Durov originally created it during a clash with the Russian government in 2018, when they tried to ban Telegram for refusing to provide access to its encrypted messages.
The symbol now represents a broader struggle for digital privacy. Many projects within the TON ecosystem, including the popular tap-to-earn game Yescoin, have updated their logos to feature the REDO symbol in solidarity.
Market Reactions to the Arrest
The arrest has also impacted Telegram-related crypto assets. Toncoin (TON), the native token of The Open Network, saw a sharp drop in value to $5.31. It has since recovered slightly, now trading at $5.72. Meanwhile, the REDO token, associated with the Resistance Dog movement, surged over 173% and is now valued at $0.7789.
The situation continues to develop, with the crypto community closely watching for updates on Durov’s case and the future of digital privacy rights.
