Today in crypto, the TON blockchain experiences brief downtime, French authorities have charged 25 individuals over a series of crypto-related kidnappings and attempted abductions, and Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor puts his hand up to feature on the Joe Rogan Experience.
TON blockchain back online following brief network outage
The Open Network (TON) is back online following a brief outage on June 1 that was attributed to an error in the masterchain dispatch queue.
Representatives for the layer-1 blockchain network announced the issue at 12:51:00 UTC but resolved the issue roughly 40 minutes after it was discovered, quickly restoring network services. TON maintainers and developers confirmed in a Telegram post:
"A quick fix was released, and updating only a few masterchain validators was sufficient to resume block production. The incident was related to an error in the processing of the masterchain dispatch queue."
The incident reflects the issues that can arise from the increasing sophistication and significant network traffic of high-throughput and next-generation blockchains.
France charges 25 over crypto kidnapping spree in Paris
French authorities have charged 25 individuals, including six minors, over a series of kidnappings and attempted abductions linked to the country’s cryptocurrency sector.
The group, aged between 16 and 23, faces charges connected to multiple plots targeting prominent crypto figures and their families, Le Monde reported, citing an announcement from the Paris public prosecutor’s office on May 31.
Per the report, eighteen suspects are now in pre-trial detention, three have requested a deferred hearing, and four remain under judicial supervision.
The investigation centers on a failed May 13 abduction attempt in Paris’ 11th arrondissement. The targets were the daughter and grandson of Pierre Noizat, CEO of French crypto exchange Paymium.
Authorities say this was not the first attempt — a similar failed plot was staged the previous day. Days later, police also foiled another operation near Nantes.
Michael Saylor shoots his shot for Rogan spot: ‘Let’s talk about Bitcoin’
Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor has publicly expressed interest in discussing Bitcoin on the world’s most-listened-to podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience.
“Hey @joerogan, let’s talk about Bitcoin,” Saylor said in a May 31 X post in response to a Joe Rogan fan account asking, “Who’s one guest you’d love to see Joe Rogan interview that he hasn’t had on yet?”
Saylor’s post prompted speculation within the Bitcoin community. Popular Bitcoiner, The Bitcoin Therapist, said, “This interview will shatter the internet.”
Crypto analyst Kook told their 164,200 X followers that “Saylor is going to Bitcoin pill Joe Rogan.” Meanwhile, crypto commentator Brandon MacDougal said, “For the first time ever, I’ll be watching a Joe Rogan podcast if Saylor is there.”