Regulation by enforcement leads to ‘exodus’ of talent — RAK DAO exec
Pavel Durov, founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, has left France and relocated to Dubai following approval from a French court.
On March 13, Durov reportedly received permission from the French court to depart the country, allowing him to travel to Dubai — a city known for its business-friendly environment and lack of extradition agreements with many nations — according to a Barron’s report citing unknown sources.
The exact terms of the court’s decision remain unclear, but Durov’s relocation has reignited debates about jurisdiction, privacy, and the responsibilities of tech leaders in combating illegal activities on their platforms.
Citing unnamed sources, AFP reported that “He (Durov) departed France this morning,” adding that he left with the authorities’ approval. Another source stated that he had been granted permission to leave France for “several weeks.”
The Telegram founder’s legal issues began on Aug. 24, when he was temporarily arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris.
French prosecutors accused Durov of running a platform that allegedly enables illegal activities, according to charges announced on Aug. 28, 2024.
Daily price chart of Toncoin. Source: TradingView
The crypto market reacted positively to the news of Durov departing from France. Toncoin (TON), the native cryptocurrency of The Open Network (TON), spiked over 18% in market price, according to data from Cointelegraph Markets Pro and TradingView.
First report on Durov’s case in France since late 2024
The unconfirmed reports suggest that Durov has either settled his case in France or received permission to leave the country while the court case is ongoing.
Durov did not confirm his departure on social media by publishing time, while the French government officials are yet to issue a public statement, should the news be the case.
As previously reported, Durov was abruptly arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget airport in Paris in August 2024.
France’s Prosecutor’s Office, or Parquet de Paris, promptly issued a statement on preliminary charges to Durov on Aug. 28, accusing the Telegram founder of facilitating a platform that enables illicit transactions.
The prosecutors claimed that Durov was facing up to 10 years of prison time in addition to a 500,000 euros ($550,000) fine.
Durov was released from French custody on Aug. 28 after posting a $6 million bail. However, French authorities required him to remain in the country and mandated his court appearance only upon the completion of the investigation.
Vinnik’s release came just a month ago
Durov, now 40, is a citizen of Russia who also holds French and United Arab Emirates passports.
Shortly after his arrest in France, the Russian government publicly expressed the willingness to provide assistance in his case, highlighting the complexity of the matter due to Durov being not only a Russian citizen but also a French citizen.
If confirmed, Durov’s departure from France would mark another important event in the timeline of Russian programmers’ releases by governments worldwide.
Alexander Vinnik exits from the plane in Moscow. Source: The Moscow Times
Alexander Vinnik, operator of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, finally returned to Russia just a month ago following long-running disputes over his custody and indictment since his arrest in 2017.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Vinnik’s prison release from the United States came as part of a US-Russia prisoner swap amid the countries seeking to mend diplomatic ties following Donald Trump’s presidential return in January.
Additional reporting by Helen Partz.
Military chiefs from around the world will meet next week to discuss the “operational phase” of protecting Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force, Sir Keir Starmer has announced.
The prime minister hosted a virtual meeting of the “coalition of the willing” on Saturday, which involved leaders of 26 nations, including Ukraine, plus the EU and NATO, to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
Speaking after the 90-minute meeting, Sir Keir revealed military chiefs from the group of Western nations would meet on Thursday as they move “into an operational phase”.
He said they would draw up plans to help secure Ukraine “on the land, at sea and in the sky” if a peace deal can be agreed with Russia.
Ukraine war latest: We must be prepared to defend peace deal
The day before, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted a proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire as Russia agreed to an end to fighting, however, President Vladimir Putin said “lots of questions” remain over the proposals.
Sir Keir Starmer hosting a video conference call of the ‘coalition of the willing’. Pic: PA
Notably absent from Saturday’s call was US President Donald Trump, but Sir Keir reiterated any peace deal requires a US backstop.
He said the UK is talking to the US “on a daily basis” and there is a “collective resolve” to end the war, which has been shown by the “momentum we’re building up now” by the many allied countries being “on the same page” both politically and militarily.
He said Thursday’s meeting of military chiefs “is very much an operational planning meeting”.
The PM added the “coalition of the willing” had increased in size since leaders met for the first time just under two weeks ago at Lancaster House in London.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni was the most notable addition after reports she would “shun” the meeting because she is “not convinced” by the Anglo-French plan to send European peacekeepers to Ukraine.
Read more:
Zelenskyy says ‘good chance’ of ending war in Ukraine
‘A classic power play’ – Trump’s fixer made to wait eight hours to meet Putin
On Friday, a Russian drone attack set a civilian hospital in Zolochiv, Kharkiv region, on fire. Pic: Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP
PM dodges what rules of engagement would be
Answering a question from Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates on what the rules of engagement would be for troops on the ground as part of a peacekeeping process, Sir Keir said the meeting will set that out.
He said he has already indicated he wants the UK “to play a leading role” in the provision of troops and air power, while other countries will have different capabilities.
But, he said a peace deal needs to be achieved first, which requires more pressure on Russia.
“If there’s going to be lasting peace, there’s going to have to be security arrangements,” the PM said, noting that Putin has previously broken a peace deal with Ukraine.
‘World needs action, not a study’
Sir Keir also said on the call that the gathering of leaders rejected Mr Putin’s “yes, but” approach, in reference to the Russian president saying he would agree to a ceasefire but there must be a “study” into how that would look.
The prime minister said: “The world needs action, not a study, not empty words and conditions. So my message is very clear. Sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table.
“So this is the moment that the guns fall silent, that the barbaric attacks on Ukraine once and for all stop and agree to a ceasefire now.”
The PM revealed seizing Russian assets was discussed in the meeting but said it was “a complicated question”.
Despite striking US absence, progress was made
While Sir Keir Starmer’s coalition of willing world leaders weren’t standing literally shoulder to shoulder at this morning’s meeting, their united presence still sent a powerful message of support to the Ukrainians after another tumultuous week.
It was clearly important to make a united statement of conviction that the Ukrainians are the “party of peace”, willing to sign up to a ceasefire without conditions, and the Russians, therefore the de facto party of war, delaying a ceasefire and continuing with their “barbaric attacks”.
But what of the “concrete commitments” Sir Keir said he wanted to secure from the meeting?
While the PM said new commitments had been made, he gave no specific details beyond insisting the coalition would be moving into an “operational military planning” phase, with a meeting of military leaders to be held in the UK.
He had no detailed answer to Sky News’ deputy political editor Sam Coates’ question about what power any troops deployed as part of the coalition of the willing would actually have to police any deal, arguing he was willing for UK forces to play a leading role but that operational capabilities will be discussed on Thursday.
Today’s messages were directed at both Russia and the US. Starmer insisted Russia would be forced to the table sooner or later – by the increased military support given to the Ukrainians and through the threat of greater economic sanctions. The long-held hope of seizing frozen Russian assets was also discussed, he said.
And as for his audience in the White House, the PM was demonstrating again that Europe and its allies have been listening to his calls to do more to shoulder the burden of defending Ukraine – and themselves.
But his argument that no peace deal can be secure and lasting without American security guarantees is unchanged. He reiterated all this needs to be done “in conjunction with the United States” and said his team are in daily talks with Washington.
For all the political power assembled online today, the absence of the US is as striking as ever. Despite that, progress continues.
Zelenskyy accuses Putin of lying to everyone
President Zelenskyy revealed he addressed the meeting and told them the path to peace “must begin unconditionally” and if Russia does not want to do that “then strong pressure must be applied until they do”.
He said the 30-day ceasefire proposal from the Americans negotiating in Saudi Arabia with the Russians has been on the table since Tuesday but accused Mr Putin of “lying to everyone” about the situation on the ground and about how a ceasefire is “supposedly too complicated”.
The Ukrainian leader pleaded with the West to “define a clear position on security guarantees” and for European nations to invest in defence so the continent has “its arsenals and the capability to produce the most advanced weapons”, and to strengthen air defence.
Mr Zelenskyy suggested another coalition of the willing meeting will be held in a week’s time.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for ‘strong pressure’ to be applied to Mr Putin until he accepts the ceasefire deal. Pic: Reuters
Who is part of the ‘coalition of the willing’?
The leaders involved in Saturday’s call were from: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa also joined.
Bitcoin needs to close above the key $81,000 weekly level to avoid more downside volatility ahead of next week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which will offer investors more cues on the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy for 2025.
Bitcoin (BTC) price fell over 3% during the past week, to trade above $83,748 as of 9:33 a.m. in UTC, Cointelegraph Markets Pro data shows.
Bitcoin price continues to risk significant downside volatility due to growing macroeconomic uncertainty around global trade tariffs, according to Ryan Lee, chief analyst at Bitget Research.
BTC/USD, 1-year chart. Source: Cointelegraph
Closing the week above $81,000 will be key to avoid more Bitcoin downside, the analyst told Cointelegraph, adding:
“The key level to watch for the weekly close is $81,000 range, holding above that would signal resilience, but if we see a drop below $76,000, it could invite more short-term selling pressure.”
The analyst’s comments come days ahead of the next FOMC meeting scheduled for March 19. Markets are currently pricing in a 98% chance that the Fed will keep interest rates steady, according to the latest estimates of the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
Source: CME Group’s FedWatch tool
The outcome of the meeting may significantly impact Bitcoin investor sentiment, said Lee, adding:
“The market largely expects the Fed to hold rates steady, but any unexpected hawkish signals could put pressure on Bitcoin and other risk assets.”
“Even a dovish surprise, like a rate cut, might not be the immediate boost some are hoping for, as investors are still weighing macro uncertainties,” added the analyst.
Related: US Rep. Byron Donalds to introduce bill codifying Trump’s Bitcoin reserve
Bitcoin close above $85k may reignite investor optimism for more upside: analyst
Other analysts are seeing a silver lining in Bitcoin’s stagnant price action.
A weekly close above $85,000 may inspire more investor confidence and lead to the next breakout, according to Enmanuel Cardozo, market analyst at Brickken real-world asset tokenization platform.
The market analyst told Cointelegraph:
“Traders and investors alike are keeping a close eye on the $80,000 support and the $85,000–$90,000 resistance, with a break above the latter potentially sparking a strong upward movement.”
While Bitcoin’s short-term momentum may be limited by the upcoming economic releases, the regulatory developments around Trump’s Bitcoin reserve plan may gradually bring more market optimism and mass adoption, added the analyst.
Related: Bitcoin’s next catalyst: End of $36T US debt ceiling suspension
Trump’s Bitcoin reserve came one step closer to fruition on March 14, after US Representative Byron Donalds introduced a bill that seeks to ensure the Bitcoin reserve becomes a permanent fixture, preventing future administrations from dismantling it through executive action.
If the bill is passed, it would ensure that the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the US Digital Asset Stockpile could not be eliminated via executive actions by a future administration.
The bill will require at least 60 votes in the Senate and a House majority to pass. With Republicans holding a Senate majority — and amid a generally more crypto-friendly environment — the bill has a chance of passing.
Magazine: SCB tips $500K BTC, SEC delays Ether ETF options, and more: Hodler’s Digest, Feb. 23 – March 1
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