Pavel Durov, founder of the widely-used messaging app Telegram, has officially left France and moved to Dubai following court approval. On March 13, a French court granted him permission to leave the country, allowing his relocation to a jurisdiction known for its business-friendly policies and lack of extradition agreements with many nations.
According to reports from Barron’s and AFP, Durov departed France in the morning with approval from authorities. Another source suggested that he had been given permission to remain outside France for several weeks.
This move comes amid increasing scrutiny on Telegram’s role in cryptocurrency communities and its integration with blockchain technology, particularly with its TON (The Open Network) blockchain ecosystem.
David Sacks Sells Over $200M in Crypto Before White House Role
In another major development, David Sacks, a prominent tech investor and venture capitalist, sold over $200 million in crypto and crypto-related stocks before assuming his new role as the White House AI and crypto czar.
According to a White House memorandum dated March 5, Sacks and his investment firm, Craft Ventures, divested their digital asset holdings, which included positions in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL). The document noted:
“You and Craft Ventures have divested over $200 million of positions related to the digital asset industry, of which $85 million is directly attributable to you.”
The memo further stated that significant measures were taken to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring that Sacks would enter his role without direct financial ties to the cryptocurrency industry. This is particularly relevant as his responsibilities now include shaping a regulatory framework for digital assets under the Biden administration’s crypto policy efforts.
Argentina Introduces New Crypto Regulations
Meanwhile, Argentina’s National Securities Commission (CNV) has finalized new rules for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Published under General Resolution No. 1058 on March 13, these regulations establish comprehensive guidelines for crypto exchanges and platforms operating in the country.
Key provisions include:
- Mandatory registration for VASPs
- Cybersecurity compliance measures
- Asset custody requirements
- Strict anti-money laundering (AML) protocols
- Risk disclosure obligations
The CNV emphasized that these regulations aim to ensure transparency, stability, and user protection in Argentina’s crypto ecosystem. Diego Fraga, a leading Argentine tax lawyer, confirmed that the final guidelines include mandatory separation of company and client funds, annual audits, and monthly reporting to the CNV.
Today’s crypto landscape saw major regulatory shifts and strategic financial moves from key industry figures. With Pavel Durov’s relocation, David Sacks’ divestment, and Argentina’s tightening of crypto regulations, the industry continues to evolve amid increasing government scrutiny and strategic maneuvering.
As global crypto markets react to these developments, all eyes will be on how these changes impact investor confidence, regulatory frameworks, and institutional involvement in the coming weeks.
