Pavel Durov sat across from French investigators for the fourth time on or around July 9, 2026, for a session that reportedly stretched over six hours. The Telegram co-founder has now been in the crosshairs of French law enforcement for nearly two years, and the probe shows no signs of wrapping up quietly.
The investigation centers on allegations that Telegram’s platform facilitated illegal activity, a charge that has dogged Durov since his arrest at Le Bourget Airport on August 24, 2024. That arrest sent shockwaves through the crypto world, given Telegram’s deep ties to The Open Network, or TON, the blockchain that grew from inside the app’s ecosystem.
How we got here
French authorities formally opened the investigation in July 2024, initially charging Durov with complicity in organized crime, among other allegations. He was released after posting €5 million bail and placed under judicial supervision, including a full travel ban that restricted his movement for over a year.
That travel ban was lifted in November 2025, a piece of news that the market greeted warmly. TON’s price jumped between 20% and 29% following updates tied to positive developments in Durov’s legal status, a clear signal that traders treat the case as a direct proxy for Telegram’s operational health.
