TON-linked GRAM has fallen nearly 3% after Russia’s Federal Security Service charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity and placed him on an international wanted list.
Russia Accuses Durov Over Telegram Activity
The FSB said the case relates to Telegram’s alleged failure to remove content used by Ukrainian special services, terrorist groups, and extremist organisations. Russian authorities claimed the platform was used to prepare sabotage, cyber fraud, and attacks inside Russia.
The security agency also alleged that a Telegram chatbot called Daivinchik/Leo was used to recruit young Russians. The chatbot is widely used as a dating tool in Russia, where Tinder is no longer available.
The FSB said 46 Russians aged 12 to 22 had been arrested over the past year after alleged recruitment through the chatbot. Authorities claimed the group was directed toward attacks on law enforcement officers and infrastructure.
Telegram’s official X account responded by posting an image of Durov making an obscene gesture. Durov and Telegram had not issued a detailed response to the new charges at the time of reporting.
Telegram Faces Wider Legal Pressure
The charges stem from a long-running dispute among Russian authorities, Durov, and Telegram. Moscow has restricted access to Telegram as part of wider efforts to control foreign technology platforms and internet activity.
Many Russian users now access Telegram through VPN services. However, Russian state agencies, including the Kremlin and defense ministry, continue posting daily updates through the messaging app.
Telegram has also become an active channel in the Russia-Ukraine war. Officials, soldiers, and political commentators on both sides use the platform to publish updates, claims, and battlefield content.
Durov was arrested in France in August 2024 over allegations tied to Telegram’s content moderation and cooperation with law enforcement. French authorities later released him under judicial supervision and restricted him from leaving the country.
Durov has denied wrongdoing in earlier cases. He has said Telegram exceeded its obligations to moderate content and assist authorities in fighting crime.
The Telegram founder was born in Russia but holds Emirati and French passports. He founded VKontakte before selling his remaining stake in 2014 after pressure from Russian authorities.
GRAM Price Stays Below Key Resistance
The latest legal pressure came as GRAM, the token tied to the TON ecosystem, traded at $1.4060 after falling 2.91% on the daily chart. The token remained below the Bollinger Bands midpoint at $1.5175.
The TON blockchain announced in June that the token previously known as TON had become GRAM. The network said all holdings converted 1:1 automatically, with no swap or migration required from holders.
GRAM’s daily chart showed lower highs and lower lows, keeping the short-term trend under pressure. The price moved closer to the lower Bollinger Band at $1.3729, which marks the nearest support area.
Source: TradingView
A daily close below $1.37 could expose the next support near $1.30. A deeper decline could then bring the wider $1.20 area into focus if selling pressure continues.
The Relative Strength Index stood near 37, below its signal average around 39.95. Momentum remained weak, although the indicator had not moved into oversold territory.
Buyers would need to reclaim $1.52 to reduce selling pressure and push GRAM back above the Bollinger midpoint. Further resistance sits near $1.60 and the upper Bollinger Band at $1.6622.
