Toncoin (TON) has increased by nearly 15% at the end of the week after the French government allowed the founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, to leave the country.

On 15/03/2024, the TON Foundation confirmed that the French government had returned Durov's passport, allowing him to freely leave the country.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov leaves France

Following this event, the French newspaper Le Parisien reported that Durov had arrived in Dubai after months of legal restrictions.

Durov's legal troubles began in 08/2024, when the French authorities arrested him and accused Telegram of failing to prevent illegal activities on its platform.

Meanwhile, Durov's case has sparked global discussions on digital privacy and freedom of expression, with critics arguing that these charges are an effort to control encrypted messaging platforms.

However, the French government accused him of not taking adequate security measures to prevent fraud and illegal transactions. If convicted, he could face up to ten years in prison and significant financial penalties.

At the time, Durov was released after posting millions of dollars in bail but had to remain in the country and comply with legal procedures.

Additionally, the situation has prompted Telegram to adjust its content moderation policies. The app has updated its FAQ to reflect a stricter policy on reporting illegal content.

Previously, Telegram claimed that all conversations were private and would not address content-related requests. The new approach now encourages users to report violations through the "report" button.

Now that he has left the country, it remains unclear whether the case has been dismissed or if there will be further legal actions.

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 strongly believe that Blockchain is #freedom technology — a creative tool capable of changing the way we protect individual rights — and we are proud to be part of the ecosystem that empowers people to communicate freely and securely," the foundation stated.

Toncoin's market reaction and future outlook

The news of Durov's departure from the country has sparked a positive reaction in the TON community. Toncoin's price has risen to $3.58 today, reflecting a 15% increase at the end of the week. However, the token is still 10% lower than its value a month ago.

The declining interest in Telegram's mini-games and TON projects continues to impact the token's price.

While this price increase suggests renewed investor confidence, the long-term direction of Toncoin remains uncertain. Junaid Dar, the founder of the cryptocurrency investment firm Bitward Invest, pointed out that activity on the TON blockchain has reached historic lows, with some in the industry even declaring it "dead".

"Resuscitation potential? Could this be the catalyst for TON's comeback? With Durov's return, will we see TON regain its dominance in Web3?" Dar posed.

Dar suggested that Durov's return in a more active role could mark a turning point for Toncoin. Last year, the network witnessed rapid adoption due to Telegram-based games like Hamster Kombat, which drove a surge in user engagement.