
Maximilian Crown Takes Helm at TON Foundation Amid Strategic Expansion
Maximilian Crown, co-founder of MoonPay, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the TON Foundation, marking a significant leadership transition for the organisation. Crown, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at MoonPay, will continue to hold a board position at the fintech firm while steering the TON Foundation's strategic direction.
The TON Foundation, originally developed by Telegram and now operating independently, aims to advance the adoption of The Open Network blockchain. Crown's appointment is viewed as a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience in financial technology and regulatory compliance to bolster the foundation's growth and integration within the global financial ecosystem.
Crown's tenure at MoonPay, a company he co-founded in 2019, has been marked by significant achievements, including expanding the platform's services to over 160 countries and facilitating the transfer of $2 billion in cryptocurrency. Under his leadership, MoonPay achieved a valuation of $3.4 billion and developed partnerships with major payment providers such as Mastercard, enhancing its capabilities in the NFT space through the launch of the HyperMint platform.
The TON Foundation's decision to appoint Crown reflects its commitment to strengthening its position in the blockchain industry by integrating traditional financial systems with decentralized technologies. Crown's expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and building robust financial infrastructures is expected to be instrumental in achieving the foundation's objectives.
The Open Network, known for its scalability and efficiency, has been gaining traction as a viable blockchain solution for various applications, including decentralized finance and digital identity verification. Crown's leadership is anticipated to accelerate the development and adoption of TON-based solutions, fostering greater collaboration between the blockchain community and traditional financial institutions.
Industry analysts suggest that Crown's dual role at MoonPay and the TON Foundation could facilitate synergies between the two entities, potentially leading to innovative payment solutions that bridge the gap between fiat and digital currencies. Such integration could enhance user accessibility and drive broader adoption of blockchain technologies in everyday financial transactions.
Crown's appointment comes at a time when the blockchain industry is experiencing increased scrutiny from regulators worldwide. His proven track record in ensuring compliance and fostering transparent operations positions the TON Foundation to navigate these challenges effectively. Furthermore, his leadership is expected to instill confidence among stakeholders and attract strategic partnerships that align with the foundation's mission.
Arabian Post – Crypto News Network
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Channel Post MEA
4 days ago
- Channel Post MEA
Kaspersky Discovers Malware Targeting Fintech Platforms
At its annual Cyber Security Weekend for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region, Kaspersky revealed the discovery of GriffithRAT – a new and highly sophisticated malware used in campaigns targeting fintech companies, online trading platforms, and Forex exchange services worldwide, with victims in the UAE, Egypt, Turkiye, and South Africa. Distributed via Skype and Telegram channels, GriffithRAT is typically disguised as files containing financial trend analysis or investment advice. These deceptive tactics target both organizations and individual traders who unknowingly download the malware. Once downloaded, it enables attackers to steal login credentials, capture screenshots/webcam stream, log keystrokes, and monitor user activity. The stolen data can be exploited in a variety of ways, ranging from gathering competitive business intelligence to tracking individuals or valuable assets – highlighting the broad potential for misuse. Kaspersky researchers have been monitoring GriffithRAT for over a year and link it to cyber mercenary operations, where threat actors are contracted by third parties to conduct targeted attacks – often driven by motives such as corporate espionage. This connection is reinforced by technical analysis, which shows strong similarities between GriffithRAT and DarkMe intrusions, a known remote access Trojan (RAT) commonly used in mercenary-led cyber campaigns. 'This discovery highlights the growing sophistication and commercialization of cyberthreats,' said Maher Yamout, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky. 'GriffithRAT is not the work of random hackers, it is a maintained piece of malware and part of a broader trend where cyber mercenaries are hired to collect sensitive information, often for financial or strategic advantage. The data harvested could offer visibility into the inner workings of major organizations, provide unethical competitive advantage, and may also be sold on the dark web. It is a reminder that in today's threat landscape, cybercrime is increasingly professional, targeted, and persistent.' To stay protected, Kaspersky advises individuals to: Be attentive to the files you download, check them with reputable cybersecurity software, such as Kaspersky Premium for individual users and Kaspersky Next for businesses, that helps detect complex threats, respond automatically, and manage security across all devices, networks, and cloud systems from one place. Be extra cautious when dealing with social media and instant messaging apps; hackers use such mediums to deliver malware in addition to the common phishing emails. Use Kaspersky Threat Intelligence to go beyond the malware and understand the threat actors behind it. By combining diverse data sources and expert research, the portal offers actionable insights – giving access to tactical, operational, and strategic intelligence to stay secure in a dynamic threat landscape. Improve your and your employees' security awareness on a regular basis and encourage safe practices, such as proper account protection. 0 0


Fintech News ME
4 days ago
- Fintech News ME
Kaspersky Uncovers GriffithRAT Malware Targeting Global Fintech Sector
At its annual Cyber Security Weekend for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region, Kaspersky announced the discovery of GriffithRAT, a newly identified and sophisticated piece of malware. This tool has been used in cyber campaigns targeting fintech firms, online trading platforms, and foreign exchange services across the globe, with confirmed victims in the UAE, Egypt, Türkiye, and South Africa. The malware is distributed via Skype and Telegram, typically disguised as documents containing financial trend analyses or investment advice. These deceptive files are aimed at both corporate entities and individual traders, who may unknowingly install the malware. Once active on a device, GriffithRAT enables attackers to extract login credentials, take screenshots or webcam footage, record keystrokes, and monitor user activity. This information can then be exploited for various purposes, including corporate espionage and the tracking of individuals or valuable assets. Kaspersky researchers have been monitoring GriffithRAT for over a year and believe it is associated with cyber mercenary activity, where threat actors are contracted to carry out targeted attacks, often with financial or strategic motives. Technical analysis shows notable similarities between GriffithRAT and previous intrusions involving DarkMe, a known remote access trojan commonly used in mercenary-led cyber operations. 'This discovery highlights the growing sophistication and commercialisation of cyberthreats,' said Maher Yamout, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky. 'GriffithRAT is not the work of random hackers, it is a maintained piece of malware and part of a broader trend where cyber mercenaries are hired to collect sensitive information, often for financial or strategic advantage. The data harvested could offer visibility into the inner workings of major organisations, provide unethical competitive advantage, and may also be sold on the dark web. It is a reminder that in today's threat landscape, cybercrime is increasingly professional, targeted, and persistent.' To mitigate risks, Kaspersky recommends individuals exercise caution when downloading files, particularly from messaging platforms and social media, and to verify them with reliable cybersecurity tools. Users and organisations are encouraged to improve their awareness of cyber threats through regular training and to adopt safe digital practices, such as securing accounts with strong authentication measures. Additionally, tools like Kaspersky Threat Intelligence may help organisations better understand not just the malware, but the actors behind it, by offering access to a broad range of intelligence insights.


Arabian Post
29-05-2025
- Arabian Post
Telegram Secures $1.7 Billion via Convertible Bonds Amid Legal Scrutiny
Messaging platform Telegram has successfully raised $1.7 billion through a convertible bond issuance, aiming to refinance existing debt and bolster its financial position. The five-year notes offer a 9% annual coupon and include a provision allowing bondholders to convert their holdings into equity at a 20% discount if Telegram proceeds with an initial public offering before maturity. A significant portion of the proceeds, approximately $955 million, is earmarked to repurchase outstanding bonds from a 2021 issuance set to mature in March 2026. Telegram had previously repurchased around $400 million of this debt using internal funds. The remaining funds from the new bond sale will support the company's operational expansion and strategic initiatives. The bond offering attracted substantial interest from institutional investors. Existing backers like BlackRock and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company participated, alongside new entrants such as hedge fund Citadel. The high yield and potential for equity conversion made the bonds particularly appealing to investors seeking both income and growth opportunities. ADVERTISEMENT Telegram's financial performance has shown marked improvement. In 2024, the company reported a profit of $540 million on revenues of $1.4 billion, a significant turnaround from a loss of $173 million on $342 million in revenue the previous year. Projections for 2025 indicate a profit exceeding $700 million on revenues of $2 billion, driven by diversified income streams including advertising, in-app purchases, and premium subscriptions. A notable contributor to Telegram's revenue growth is a $300 million partnership with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence firm, xAI. Under this agreement, Telegram will distribute xAI's chatbot, Grok, within its platform, receiving compensation in both cash and equity. This collaboration signifies Telegram's foray into integrating advanced AI technologies to enhance user engagement and service offerings. Despite these financial strides, Telegram faces legal challenges. CEO Pavel Durov is currently under investigation in France for allegedly failing to cooperate with authorities probing illegal activities on the platform. Durov, who has been released on bail, is restricted from leaving France without official permission. His request to travel to the United States for investor meetings was denied by French prosecutors, citing insufficient justification. Durov maintains that Telegram has complied with all legal obligations and expresses uncertainty over the basis of the charges. These legal issues have not deterred investor confidence. The successful bond issuance reflects a strong belief in Telegram's growth trajectory and financial stability. The company's user base continues to expand, with over 1 billion monthly active users and a doubling of paid subscribers to more than 15 million in the past year.