Telegram founder Pavel Durov said Russian authorities designated him a “terrorist” after he refused government demands for mass surveillance and censorship on the messaging platform, responding publicly a day after Russia announced charges against him.

In a Telegram post on Thursday, Durov also said Russia had barred him from “publishing information on the Internet,” adding that authorities had “got confused about who can ban whom from the Internet.”

Source: Telegram, Pavel Durov

The comments came a day after Russia’s Federal Security Service accused Durov of facilitating terrorist activity, alleging Telegram failed to remove channels used by terrorist groups and Ukrainian intelligence services.

The case builds on a criminal investigation Russia launched in February, when regulators accused Telegram of leaving nearly 155,000 channels, chats and bots online despite claims they violated Russian laws covering extremist content, terrorism, drug trafficking and other illicit activity.

Related: Pavel Durov says Telegram to roll out native Gram crypto wallet

Durov’s legal battles extend beyond Russia

The Russian case adds to Durov’s legal challenges abroad. Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 and remains under judicial investigation over allegations that Telegram facilitated criminal activity by failing to adequately moderate illegal content and respond to law enforcement requests. 

Durov has denied wrongdoing, arguing that French authorities failed to follow due process in seeking information from Telegram. His arrest also prompted a TON Community-backed campaign that collected more than 9 million signatures on an open letter urging French authorities to release him.

French authorities initially allowed Durov to temporarily return to Dubai in March 2025 before lifting his travel restrictions entirely later that year.

Telegram is also facing fresh legal pressure in Australia, where regulators this week launched court proceedings alleging the platform failed to remove terrorism-related content.

Durov has cast himself as a defender of free speech and digital privacy. In April, he warned the European Union’s proposed age-verification app could pave the way for broader online surveillance. The same month, he blamed alleged tax data leaks for a wave of crypto-related kidnappings in France and said Telegram would leave the country rather than grant authorities access to users’ private messages.

Magazine: A quantum roadmap would push Bitcoin much higher: Charles Edwards

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

Tokenized asset specialist Ondo Finance is evaluating a potential acquisition of between $250 million and $500 million, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The New York-based company is considering wealthtech targets, among other subsectors, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is private.

Ondo has not yet appointed any formal advisers, the person said.

Founded in 2021 by former Goldman Sachs executives, Ondo Finance is a tokenization platform that brings traditional financial assets onchain. The company issues tokenized U.S. Treasuries and stocks and has become one of the largest providers of tokenized real-world assets, with more than $3.5 billion across its products.

“As a fast-growing company, Ondo regularly evaluates the market as part of normal business operations. We are not in conversations with any party at this time,” an Ondo representative said in emailed comments to CoinDesk.

Crypto dealmaking has remained strong in 2026 as traditional financial firms and larger digital-asset companies use acquisitions to add licenses, technology and distribution.

Canadians’ ownership of cryptocurrencies increased to 25% in 2026 from 10% in 2023, new data from the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) shows.

In the results of a survey released on Tuesday, the OSC found that crypto ownership and awareness among Canadians had increased from that a few years ago. The survey polled 2,360 individuals age 18 and over between December 2025 and January 2026, finding that 59% of the respondents were aware of crypto assets and 25% held them.

“Crypto markets continue to evolve, and Canadians are participating in them more than ever before,” said Naizam Kanji, executive vice president of strategic regulation at the OSC. “By identifying emerging trends and behaviors with our research, we can look around corners, anticipate potential opportunities and risks, and ensure our regulatory approach supports investor protection while fostering fair and efficient markets.”

According to the survey, the results also suggested an increasing awareness of risk, though it was still based on a limited understanding of the industry. About 50% of crypto owners reported checking whether a platform was registered before using it, but many investors “had some misunderstanding around regulation, insurance protections and transaction capabilities.”

Lawmakers in Ottawa have proposed various measures to address different uses of cryptocurrency in the country. In April, the federal government advanced a bill that could ban political donations using crypto, and proposed banning digital asset ATMs, citing concerns about fraud.

Cointelegraph is committed to independent, transparent journalism. This news article is produced in accordance with Cointelegraph’s Editorial Policy and aims to provide accurate and timely information. Readers are encouraged to verify information independently.

On July 30, 2015, the Genesis Block for the Ethereum protocol was mined.

The chain has become the second most important blockchain in the cryptocurrency ecosystem and has reached a market capitalization of over $230 billion, according to CoinGecko. Needless to say, its eight official founders have each profited greatly.

To honor this anniversary, Protos has taken a look at what they’re still publicly working on.

Vitalik Buterin

Vitalik Buterin is perhaps the individual most strongly identified with the Ethereum project, serving as its sincere and awkward spokesperson and guiding light.

Unlike many of the other founders, he’s continued to work deeply on the Ethereum project, even remaining deeply involved with the Ethereum Foundation.

This makes him a frequent target of criticism, as many traders have been frustrated with what they see as the Ethereum Foundation not doing enough to support the project, or at least the price of the project.

Anthony Di Iorio

Anythony Di Iorio is one of the only co-founders to try to find an exit from the crypto ecosystem.

In 2021 he told Bloomberg, while he was trying to sell his cryptocurrency accelerator, that he doesn’t “feel necessarily safe in this space” and stated that crypto is “really a small percentage of what the world needs.”

However, exiting isn’t always easy or clean. He’s since founded a firm called Andiami, which claims to be “building the tools to power the decentralized future.”

That project hasn’t posted on X since early 2023, or to its YouTube, Instagram, or blog since 2022, suggesting that it may be making slow progress on that stated goal.

Charles Hoskinson

Charles Hoskinson saw what Ethereum was doing and immediately thought that a different chain would be the solution to the problems that he saw.

He’d go on to found Cardano.

Hoskinson has also attempted non-crypto projects like his failed Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic.

Cardano has underperformed Ethereum substantially year-to-date. Ethereum has lost approximately 36% of its value, and Cardano has lost approximately 55%.

Hoskinson’s time at Ethereum was controversial and he was eventually forced out. According to Laura Shin’s Cryptopians, he’d make extraordinary claims, even implying he was Satoshi Nakamoto.

Mihai Alisie

Mihai Alisie was the founder of Bitcoin Magazine, where Buterin also worked before founding Ethereum.

Alisie’s LinkedIn still describes them as the founder of the AKASHA Project.

Unfortunately though, that foundation closed down several months ago.

Amir Chetrit

Amir Chetrit was the founder of Colored Coins before joining Ethereum.

His time at Ethereum was controversial; he and Hoskinson were eventually forced out in what Laura Shin called “Game of Thrones Day.”

Since then, Chetrit has reportedly continued working in crypto but with a low profile.

Joseph Lubin

Joseph Lubin has been one of the most entrepreneurial of the Ethereum co-founders, most prominently through ConsenSys.

ConsenSys has been a central player in the crypto ecosystem, being involved with the MetaMask wallet and the Infura infrastructure for Ethereum.

The SEC had previously sued ConsenSys over MetaMask, but this suit was dropped during the second Trump administration.

Gavin Wood

Gavin Wood started as a Bitcoin developer before joining Ethereum.

He then went on to form Parity Technologies, which released the Parity client, and launched the Polkadot network, meant to be a “parachain” connecting various blockchains.

Jeffrey Wilcke

Jeffrey Wilcke keeps a low profile.

He worked on Mastercoin before joining Ethereum and helped create the Geth (Go Ethereum) client.

Since then, he’s founded Grid Games with his brother, though when we tried to access its website, it timed out.

Broadly, many of the founders who started this so-called “world computer” have moved on from it.

Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks. For more informed news and investigations, follow us on X, Bluesky, and Google News, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Crypto ownership in Canada has more than doubled since 2023, even as regulators warn that many investors still misunderstand platform protections and industry rules.

Canada crypto ownership more than doubles

Canada’s cryptocurrency ownership rate rose to 25% in 2026 from 10% in 2023, according to new research from the Ontario Securities Commission.

The OSC surveyed 2,360 Canadian adults between December 2025 and January 2026. Its findings showed that 59% of respondents were aware of crypto assets, while one in four reported owning them.

The increase represents a 15-percentage-point gain in ownership over roughly three years. It also suggests that digital assets are reaching a broader section of the Canadian population despite persistent concerns about fraud, volatility and consumer protection.

“Crypto markets continue to evolve, and Canadians are participating in them more than ever before,” said Naizam Kanji, executive vice president of strategic regulation at the OSC.

“By identifying emerging trends and behaviors with our research, we can look around corners, anticipate potential opportunities and risks, and ensure our regulatory approach supports investor protection while fostering fair and efficient markets.”

The research arrives as major crypto companies seek a larger role in Canada’s financial market. As previously reported by crypto.news, Coinbase is preparing to expand its “Everything Exchange” strategy into the country.

The plan would move Coinbase beyond cryptocurrency trading by combining tokenized stocks, traditional financial products and blockchain-based services in one application for Canadian users.

Investors remain confused about crypto protections

Growing ownership has been accompanied by greater awareness of risk, but the OSC found that knowledge of existing protections remained limited.

About 50% of crypto owners reported checking whether a platform was registered before opening an account or completing a transaction. That leaves a large portion of investors using services without first confirming their regulatory status.

Respondents also showed misunderstandings about how crypto platforms are regulated, whether digital assets carry insurance protections, and which transactions can be reversed or recovered.

Those gaps matter because crypto holdings typically do not receive the same protections as deposits kept at regulated banks. Blockchain transactions may also be difficult or impossible to reverse after funds are sent to a fraudulent address.

For US investors, the Canadian findings reflect a familiar regulatory concern. American agencies and state authorities have also focused on platform registration, fraud disclosures and the differences between crypto accounts and insured bank deposits.

However, the two countries continue to develop their digital asset rules separately. A product offered to Canadian customers may not be available under the same terms in the United States.

Canada targets crypto ATMs and political donations

Higher adoption comes as Ottawa considers tougher restrictions on some uses of digital assets.

Canada’s federal government outlined plans in its Spring Economic Update 2026 to prohibit crypto ATMs nationwide. Officials described the machines as a frequent tool for scammers seeking to collect money from victims or process illicit cash.

Investigations cited by the government identified crypto ATMs as a channel through which fraud victims are instructed to transfer funds. Unlike conventional bank transfers, payments sent through these machines can be difficult to recover once completed.

A separate bill introduced in March would restrict cryptocurrency donations to political groups. The proposal is part of a wider effort to tighten election-financing rules and limit foreign interference risks before the next federal election.

If approved, the measures would create a sharper divide in Canada’s approach to crypto. Authorities would continue allowing regulated ownership and financial products while restricting channels viewed as vulnerable to fraud, hidden funding or illicit activity.

Regulation faces a rapid adoption test

Canada’s rising ownership rate places more pressure on regulators to balance market access with investor protection.

Coinbase’s proposed expansion could give local customers access to a broader selection of crypto and traditional financial products. At the same time, the planned ATM ban and political donation restrictions show that federal officials remain cautious about use cases that can obscure the source or destination of funds.

The OSC survey indicates that adoption is moving faster than investor understanding. Registration checks, insurance assumptions and transaction recovery remain central risks as more Canadians enter the market.

Future policy will therefore need to address both sides of the trend: growing demand for digital assets and the consumer-protection gaps that become more consequential as ownership rises.

Samsung SDS, the IT services arm of Samsung Group, is exploring cooperation with Dunamu—operator of the South Korean exchange Upbit—across stablecoin infrastructure, digital asset systems, and AI-enabled payment models, according to comments made by Samsung SDS CEO Lee Jun-hee during the company’s Q2 earnings call on Thursday.

The discussions signal that Samsung SDS is trying to translate its existing work in tokenization and settlement into commercial offerings in digital finance, at a time when South Korea is actively shaping its approach to stablecoins.

Key takeaways

• Samsung SDS is in talks with Dunamu on stablecoin infrastructure and end-to-end digital asset processing, including issuance-to-settlement workflows.
• The company points to prior capabilities built through Korea Securities Depository’s tokenized securities platform project and stablecoin process validation.
• This effort builds momentum for Samsung’s broader digital asset strategy following separate plans to add stablecoin support to Samsung Wallet.
• Samsung SDS frames its Dunamu investment and collaboration as strategic for digital finance infrastructure rather than purely financial returns.
• Samsung SDS’ AI and cloud expansion appears to be running in parallel with its push into digital finance services.

Samsung SDS and Dunamu explore stablecoin and digital asset infrastructure

During Samsung SDS’s Q2 earnings call, CEO Lee Jun-hee said the company is discussing potential cooperation with Dunamu on three fronts: stablecoin infrastructure, digital asset systems, and AI-based payment business models. Samsung SDS indicated that it expects the partnership to help expand its presence in the digital asset infrastructure market.

Lee tied the planned collaboration to capabilities Samsung SDS says it has already developed. According to the CEO’s remarks, the company has “secured differentiated business capabilities” in digital asset infrastructure through work connected to the Korea Securities Depository’s tokenized securities platform project, as well as “end-to-end validation” across the stablecoin lifecycle—from issuance through settlement.

The practical implication for market participants is straightforward: infrastructure providers that can demonstrate reliable settlement-grade processes tend to be better positioned to support compliant, enterprise-grade stablecoin use cases—especially where tokenization needs to interoperate with existing financial systems.

Collaboration follows Samsung’s wider stablecoin direction

The Dunamu talks come shortly after Samsung Electronics announced plans to add stablecoin support to Samsung Wallet, extending the group’s digital asset push beyond traditional hardware and consumer apps.

While the earnings call details focus on Samsung SDS and Dunamu’s infrastructure and systems work, the wallet development underscores a larger pattern: Samsung’s internal technology stack—from device-side wallets to enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure—appears to be converging around stablecoins and tokenized finance.

For investors and builders, this matters because stablecoin adoption often depends on multiple layers working together: compliant issuance and settlement infrastructure, plus consumer-facing and merchant-facing distribution channels. Samsung’s efforts span both ends, even if the exact integration steps were not detailed in the Q2 remarks.

Earlier Samsung affiliate investment deepens the relationship

Samsung SDS’s latest comments also build on prior moves by Samsung affiliates. In May 2026, Samsung Securities, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Card agreed to buy a combined 4% stake in Dunamu, according to earlier coverage from Cointelegraph.

In the most recent Q2 call, Lee reportedly described the Dunamu investment as a strategic step rather than a financial one, stating that the companies plan to refine potential business models for digital financial infrastructure. The transcript referenced by the company’s earnings materials positions the partnership as an effort to combine Samsung SDS’s IT, cloud, and security capabilities with Dunamu’s blockchain expertise.

Samsung SDS’ framing is notable because it suggests the collaboration is intended to produce repeatable infrastructure offerings, not merely one-off experiments. The company’s emphasis on stablecoin process validation—issuance through settlement—also points toward operational readiness as a differentiator.

AI and cloud growth run alongside the digital finance push

Samsung SDS’s digital asset initiative is unfolding alongside a broader expansion drive in AI and cloud services. The company’s Q2 financial update showed revenue rising 5.9% year on year to 3.72 trillion Korean won (about $2.6 billion), as cited in its quarterly earnings presentation.

Cloud revenue increased 17% from the prior year, and external cloud business revenue grew 75%, driven by demand for Samsung’s cloud platform and graphics processing unit-as-a-service offerings. These figures matter because stablecoin and digital asset infrastructure increasingly requires data handling, security controls, and scalable compute—areas where cloud and AI investment can directly support deployment and monitoring.

Samsung SDS also reportedly outlined plans to expand its AI infrastructure footprint from 110 megawatts today to 230 MW by 2029 and more than 800 MW by 2031, according to the same earnings materials. While those AI capacity targets are not specific to stablecoin systems, they indicate management’s intent to build the compute backbone that can support both AI-enabled services and the operational needs of digital finance platforms.

In other words, the Dunamu collaboration looks like part of a wider platform strategy: infrastructure capabilities for tokenized finance paired with scalable computing and security.

Next, readers should watch for whether Samsung SDS and Dunamu move from partnership discussions to defined product or deployment milestones—especially any details about stablecoin issuance, settlement tooling, or AI-based payment workflows. The immediate uncertainty is timing: earnings call cooperation signals direction, but adoption and market impact will depend on how quickly concrete infrastructure plans are executed within South Korea’s evolving stablecoin regulatory environment.