- The TON society has rallied in response to Telegram’s current challenges.
- Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov is facing regulatory troubles.
- The platform has issued a strong defense for its executive.
As a platform closely integrated with the blockchain and crypto ecosystem, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s recent arrest in France quickly grabbed industry-wide attention. TON, the decentralized network that has significantly benefited from its close affiliation with the platform, has felt the biggest impact, evidenced by ripples across its community and a sharp 20% decline in its native token.
The TON community has mobilized and taken a firm stance in response to these developments.
TON Stands with Telegram’s Durov
TON, The Open Network originally developed by Telegram before regulatory troubles triggered an ownership change in 2020, has announced its support for Panel Durov following his arrest. In an official statement on August 25, 2024, the group joined the ongoing ‘#DigitalResistance‘ and ‘#FREEDUROV’ campaigns, urging their community members to advocate for the CEO’s release.
As part of the campaign, the TON community has initiated a widespread profile picture change across its community to a dog-themed mascot symbolizing the ‘DigitalResistance’ movement, a campaign that Durov himself launched during a similar legal tussle with the Russian government in 2020.
TON’s advocacy follows a previous statement reassuring users of its strong standing regardless of the ongoing uncertainty with Durov’s arrest. The firm maintained that its community remained fully operational and expressed support for the executive.
“As a community committed to freedom of speech and decentralization, we stand firmly by Pavel during this challenging time,” stated the network.
DailyCoin reached out to TON for additional comments but has yet to receive a response. The ongoing flurry has also prompted an official response from Telegram.
“It Is Absurd:” Telegram Defends CEO
On the same day, the company took to social media platform X to defend Durov against the arrest. Telegram described the arrest as unfounded, stressing that its operations comply with European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act.
Responding to allegations of unmoderated content and ties to illicit activity, Telegram dismissed the claims, asserting that it is unreasonable to hold Durov responsible for the platform’s misuse.
“It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform,” the statement read.
Telegram further emphasized ongoing regulations targeting resolution, expressing solidarity with users.
On the Flipside
- Telegram’s user base has recently topped a 950 million milestone.
- At press time, TON’s native token, Toncoin, is trading at $5.55, down approximately 18% from its week-high value.
- Russian officials have accused France of denying access to the arrested Telegram founder.
Why This Matters
TON’s close affiliation with Telegram positions it at a critical juncture in the ongoing regulatory saga, as any disruption to Telegram’s operations could significantly impact its ecosystem.
To better understand TON’s link with Telegram and their recent developments, read here:
TON Makes USDT More Accessible for Millions of Telegram Users
Read this article for recent insights from Tether’s CEO on the unlikely launch of a blockchain:
Tether Has No Plans to Launch Its Own Blockchain: Here’s Why
