August 12, 2025
5 min read
Peter Mwenda
Ethereum Developer “Fede’s Intern” Detained in Turkey Amid Blockchain Misuse Investigation
An Ethereum developer known as “Fede’s Intern” has been detained in Turkey amid allegations of assisting users in misusing the blockchain. The case has raised concerns within the crypto community, although no formal charges have been confirmed by authorities at this time.In Brief
- Ethereum developer detained in Turkey over alleged blockchain misuse claims.
- Investigation ongoing with no official charges confirmed.
- Global contacts are working to assist the developer’s release.
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Allegations and Detention Details
Fede reported on social media that authorities in Izmir informed his lawyer about possible accusations. Officials claimed he assisted others in misusing Ethereum. However, Fede stated that he and his team build infrastructure and operate transparently. The developer mentioned he could not provide more details due to incomplete information about the investigation. He was unsure if he was allowed to communicate with others detained. Additionally, his mobile phone was flagged as a security threat and was to be confiscated. During the detention process, Fede was moved to a reserved room. Although he had plans to fly to Europe on his private jet, authorities clarified he was not permitted to leave Turkey.Statements and Community Reactions
Fede expressed optimism about a possible release within hours, stating, "Once I land in Europe, I will explain everything we know." At the time of writing, Turkish authorities had not made any formal statements regarding the incident. He has reached out to contacts in over ten countries for assistance, appreciating support from Europe, the United States, the UAE, and Asia. Friends and associates are actively contacting Turkish officials to secure his release. Some local commentators have expressed skepticism about the allegations. Turkish crypto analyst Cenk stated there is "zero legal basis" for detention over aiding Ethereum misuse, suggesting the situation might stem from translation errors or misunderstandings.Regulatory Context in Turkey
Turkey has intensified oversight of cryptocurrency activities in recent months. New regulations introduced in March and June require exchanges and wallet providers to maintain strict transaction records. The Ministry of Treasury and Finance mandates a 20-character explanation for all platform transactions. Fede described himself as a businessman with operations spanning more than a dozen sectors. His companies are based in Europe and collaborate with governments. He remarked, "If we are the baddies, I don’t know what to say." At press time, Ethereum was priced at $4,266.06, up 1.89% in the past 24 hours, with a trading volume of $39.65 billion. Turkish authorities have been applying existing commercial, consumer, and penal codes to cryptocurrency-related cases, resulting in increased enforcement and investigations. Regulators emphasize their goal is to enhance transparency and prevent illegal financial activities.Source: Ethereum Developer “Fede’s Intern” Detained in Turkey Over Alleged Blockchain Misuse