Pavel Durov’s passport restitution sparks a surge in TON token price, trading above $3.45 with a market capitalization of $8.14 billion.
French authorities have returned Pavel Durov’s passport, allowing him to travel freely. This development has resulted in a significant surge of over 20% in the price of TON, with the token now trading above $3.45 and a market capitalization of $8.14 billion.
Pavel Durov is a Russian entrepreneur, programmer, and philanthropist.
He founded VKontakte (VK), one of Russia's largest social media platforms, in 2006.
After being forced out as VK's CEO due to government pressure, Durov created Telegram in 2013.
The encrypted messaging app has gained popularity worldwide for its focus on user privacy and security.
Durov is also known for his anti-censorship stance and support for free speech.
He has been vocal about the need for a decentralized internet and has developed various technologies to promote online freedom.
The TON Foundation, which supports the Telegram Open Network (TON), celebrated this moment on social media, expressing their solidarity with Durov. In a statement, they said: “As part of the decentralized TON community, we have stood in solidarity with Pavel Durov, supporting his unwavering dedication to defending the right to free speech and privacy online.”

The return of Durov‘s passport marks the end of a situation that had drawn concerns from privacy and free speech advocates. As the co-founder of Telegram, a messaging platform with nearly a billion users, Durov has long been an outspoken advocate for privacy and secure communication.
Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app developed by Pavel Durov and his team.
Launched in 2013, it has gained popularity for its focus on 'security and user privacy.'
With over 200 million active users, Telegram offers end-to-end encryption, self-destructing messages, and group chats with up to 200,000 members.
Its cloud-based storage allows users to access their conversations across multiple devices.
Telegram's open API also enables developers to create custom bots and integrations.
The TON Foundation’s support for Durov is also seen as a boost to the token itself. New features introduced to the Wallet app on Telegram have benefited TON, including multiple assets, a yield program, an updated user interface, and more. These updates have likely contributed to the surge in TON’s price.
As a result of this development, investors can expect further growth in the value of TON. The token’s market capitalization has increased significantly, making it an attractive option for those looking to invest in the cryptocurrency space.