- Turkish authorities detain Ethereum developer “Fede’s Intern” over accusations of Ethereum network misuse
- Fede denies the charges, asserting his focus is on blockchain infrastructure development
- The detention follows Turkey’s increasing regulatory oversight on cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects
On August 11, Ethereum developer “Fede’s Intern” was detained in Izmir, Turkey, following allegations from the Turkish authorities that he was involved in misusing the Ethereum network. Fede, an Argentine crypto researcher, responded to the accusations on X, expressing his disbelief at the charges. He emphasized that his work was focused solely on developing blockchain infrastructure, not on any illicit activities.
Fede stated that he had been informed by his lawyer about the allegations, which he labeled as “obviously wrong.” No formal documentation or legal provisions for the charge have been made public, leaving the full scope of the allegations unclear. Fede further claimed that Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs personally accused him, but without offering further specifics about the nature of the alleged misuse.
Ethereum developer’s controversial case in the crypto community
As news of Fede’s detention spread, it quickly became a topic of debate within Ethereum and Solana communities. Notable figures, including Ryan Sean Adams, an Ethereum advocate, expressed concerns over the case, calling it “very troubling.” The timing of the incident is also significant, as Istanbul had been considered a potential venue for the Devcon 2026 conference.
Turkish crypto commentator Cenk argued that there was no legal foundation for detaining someone based solely on the accusations made. Speculation arose that this case could be a result of a misunderstanding or translation error regarding blockchain infrastructure. Others feared that this might signal an overreach in Turkey’s crypto regulatory space.
Fede seeks to clear his name while calling for regulatory clarity
In the face of the allegations, Fede maintained that his work as a businessman in several industries, operating under a European holding company, was transparent and carried out in cooperation with governments. He claimed that he was already in contact with top officials from over ten countries, seeking their support in fighting the charges abroad.
Fede later revealed that he was being moved to a private room and arrangements were being made for him to leave Turkey on a private jet to Europe. Despite this, the Turkish authorities had not released any official statement on the matter, and Fede’s departure remained unconfirmed as of press time.
Fede also vowed to release “more concrete information” once back in Europe and after consulting with his legal team. While he remained open to cooperating with Turkish authorities or officials from other jurisdictions, he emphasized that he would defend himself against the accusations.
Turkey’s tightening grip on the crypto industry
Fede’s detention takes place against the backdrop of increasing regulation in Turkey’s crypto industry. Since March 2025, the Turkish Capital Markets Board (CMB) has introduced new rules that have reshaped the operation of crypto exchanges, custodians, and wallet providers. These include strict licensing requirements and the need for platforms to maintain detailed transaction records and issue monthly statements.
In June, additional regulations were implemented by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, targeting crypto funds transfers. This included requirements for detailed transaction explanations and restrictions on stablecoin transfers. In July, the country extended its crackdown to decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, with the CMB ordering Turkish internet service providers to block access to PancakeSwap, marking the first such action against a decentralized exchange. Further restrictions on DeFi services and non-custodial wallets have been warned if they directly target Turkish users.
As regulatory scrutiny on the crypto space grows, the Fede case serves as a stark reminder of the evolving and sometimes contentious relationship between governments and the digital asset sector.
