Durov said on his Telegram channel today that the two and a half year blockchain and crypto project has been put to sleep. Ironically, after leaving Russia because the government wanted his encryption keys to his social media firm, Durovβs cryptocurrency idea lost steam because of a U.S. court. βThe technology we created allowed for an open, free, decentralized exchange of value and ideas. TON had the potential to revolutionize how people store and transfer funds and information,β he wrote on his channel. βUnfortunately, a U.S. court stopped TON from happening.β
Chinaβs stock markets are some of the largest in the world, with total market capitalization reaching RMB 79 trillion (US$12.2 trillion) in 2020. Chinaβs stock markets are seen as a crucial tool for driving economic growth, in particular for financing the countryβs rapidly growing high-tech sectors.Although traditionally closed off to overseas investors, Chinaβs financial markets have gradually been loosening restrictions over the past couple of decades. At the same time, reforms have sought to make it easier for Chinese companies to list on onshore stock exchanges, and new programs have been launched in attempts to lure some of Chinaβs most coveted overseas-listed companies back to the country.
