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Telegram Founder Warns of Potential Societal Collapse in France

According to Cointelegraph, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has expressed concerns about France's political direction, warning of a potential societal collapse if current censorship and regulatory policies persist. In an interview with French outlet Le Point, Durov criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's decisions, stating, "Emmanuel Macron isn’t making the right choices. I’m very disappointed. France is getting weaker and weaker." He emphasized that nurturing generations with a specific mindset could take decades to alter, and delaying necessary reforms could lead to extreme changes. Durov highlighted the risk of France losing talent to other regions, such as Dubai.Durov's remarks come in the wake of his media appearances following his arrest in France in August 2024, which sparked widespread condemnation from the crypto community, civil rights activists, and human rights organizations. These groups continue to monitor Durov's case, considering its implications for free speech and political expression in the digital era. The Telegram founder also recounted claims that French intelligence services requested him to censor pro-conservative content related to the May 2025 Romanian presidential election. Durov alleged that Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, approached him at the Hôtel de Crillon with this request, which he refused.Durov criticized the European Union’s Digital Services Act, describing it as a potential tool for censorship disguised as consumer protection and misinformation prevention. He warned that such laws could be turned against their creators, stating, "These laws are dangerous because they can be used against those who created them. Today, they target those labeled conspiracy theorists. Tomorrow, they may target their authors." Durov's comments reflect ongoing debates about the balance between regulation and freedom of expression in the digital landscape.
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Telegram Launches Affluent Crypto Investment App on TON Blockchain

According to PANews, former TON Foundation executive Justin Hyun officially launched the Affluent crypto investment app within Telegram on June 16, 2025. The app, developed on the TON blockchain, aims to simplify investment by merging traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi). Users can participate in automated strategy vaults with a single deposit, allowing funds to be intelligently allocated across various lending markets to optimize returns.Affluent's co-founder, Hyung Lee, highlighted that the app integrates traditional financial risk management with a modular blockchain architecture. The application features an expert-managed vault system that automatically executes asset allocation strategies, while maintaining a simple Telegram interface for users. However, specific details regarding the platform's risk management mechanisms have not been disclosed.
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Telegram's Pavel Durov Rejects EU Pressure to Censor Political Content

According to Cointelegraph, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has publicly stated that he refused a request from a European Union country to censor political content on the platform ahead of Romania's presidential elections on May 18. Durov, using a baguette emoji to hint at the Western European government involved, revealed that the request aimed to suppress conservative voices, which he declined. In a Telegram post dated May 18, Durov emphasized the importance of free speech and fair elections, asserting that democracy cannot be defended by undermining it. He stated, "You can't 'defend democracy' by destroying democracy. You can’t 'fight election interference' by interfering with elections. You either have freedom of speech and fair elections — or you don’t. And the Romanian people deserve both." Durov is well-regarded in the crypto community for his strong advocacy of free speech, privacy, and individual liberty.Pavel Durov's arrest in France in August 2024 drew significant criticism from the crypto community and free speech advocates, who accused the French government of political motivations. French President Emmanuel Macron denied these allegations, asserting in an August 26 post that the French government remains committed to freedom of expression. Helius Labs CEO Mert Mumtaz responded by questioning the consistency of holding founders personally liable for content moderation while claiming a commitment to free speech. Following Durov's arrest, Chris Pavlovski, CEO of the free speech platform Rumble, announced his departure from the European Union, citing threats from France. Pavlovski criticized the French government, suggesting the arrest was an attempt to coerce Durov into censoring content on Telegram.Durov has maintained that Telegram adheres to lawful requests from law enforcement and has a legal representative in France to handle such matters. He criticized the French authorities for bypassing this representative and opting to issue an arrest warrant instead. The incident has sparked a broader debate about the balance between free speech and regulatory compliance, with many in the tech and crypto sectors closely watching the developments. The situation underscores ongoing tensions between tech platforms and governments over content moderation and freedom of expression.
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