Pavel Durov said that the investigation into illicit activity on the messaging app he runs is ongoing, but that he had returned home to Dubai.

The Open Network's TON is the week's biggest gainer among high-cap coins after Telegram's founder won a temporary exit from France.

Mr Durov denies failing to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual abuse content and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation. It is the first time a tech leader has been arrested for criminality taking place on their platform.