CRYPTO

Authored by Aaron Wood via CoinTelegraph.com,

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has been allowed to leave France temporarily, but the preliminary charges against him raise significant questions for the crypto community.

On March 13, a French court gave the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram permission to leave for Dubai, where he had previously resided. Durov had been in France since August 2024, when he was arrested at the Le Bourget airport in Paris. 

Durov was part of an investigation containing allegations of negligence and complicity in crimes like narcotics trafficking, money laundering, child sexual exploitation and terrorism. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

More broadly, Durov’s case raises questions about developer responsibility for the cryptographic platforms and tools they create — a well-known issue in the cryptocurrency industry.

Is Durov responsible for what happens on Telegram?

The preliminary charges against Durov claimed he was responsible, at least in part, for the illicit activities allegedly enabled by the platform’s encryption and support for cryptocurrencies. 

The argument will sound familiar to crypto industry observers, who have been following the case of Alexey Pertsev, the developer of cryptocurrency mixer service Tornado Cash. As with Durov, prosecutors allege that Pertsev is responsible for the illicit activities that took place on the platform, namely money laundering. 

Pertsev was arrested in the Netherlands in 2022 and is currently out on bail while he waits for his trial to begin.

In both cases, members of the crypto community have recognized the possible implications to free speech and privacy, and have come to support the executives. 

Jose Fabrega, head of marketing at Ethereum-based blockchain Metis, called Durov’s arrest the “Tornado Cash case all over again.”

Source: Jose Fabrega

Natalia Latka, director of public policy and regulatory affairs at blockchain analysis firm Merkle Science, previously told Cointelegraph that “historically, software developers were seen as neutral creators of tools and platforms, (more…)

Authored by Simon McLoughlin, CEO at Uphold, via CoinTelegraph.com,

2021 witnessed a fintech investment boom, with startups raising approximately $229 billion globally. Higher interest rates and tighter economic circumstances have since tempered that exuberance, but funds continue to pile into the sector. Indeed, the global fintech sector is expected to see a rebound in investment activity throughout 2025.

Why are investors continuing to bet big on this sector? The answer is simple. The (more…)

Authored by Helen Partz via CoinTelegraph.com,

Russian companies have been using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and USDt to facilitate trade with China and India amid international sanctions, according to a Reuters report.

Russian oil companies have used crypto assets including Bitcoin and Tether’s USDt for international trade, Reuters reported on March 14, citing four sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

One Russian oil trader reportedly conducts tens of millions (more…)