- Blum’s future is uncertain after co-founder Smerkis was arrested on fraud charges, causing disruptions.
- Smerkis resigned just before his arrest, but Blum assures users that operations remain unaffected.
- Users demand clarity on Blum’s future, particularly regarding the delayed airdrop and game rewards.
Blum, a well-known Telegram crypto app, has dealt with serious consequences after its co-founder, Vladimir Smerkis, was arrested. Reports from TASS indicate that the Zamoskvoretsky Court in Moscow allowed an arrest on fraud charges following a request from investigators. Officials have not yet outlined the specifics of the fraud allegations, but they have made reference to Article 159 of Russia’s Criminal Code. Because of this surprise arrest, Blum’s role in the crypto world is unclear.
Smerkis resigned from Blum the day before he was arrested, although he had previously been an executive at Binance. The firm officially announced that he had left and would have no role in the company, not even as a co-founder. Blum still assured users that there would be no disruption to their daily activities or existing developments as a result of the incident.
We would like to inform our community that Vladimir Smerkis has stepped down from his role as CMO and is no longer involved in the development of the project or in any co-founder capacity.
— Blum (@blumcrypto) May 17, 2025
Blum was created as a combination of a DEX and a gaming platform to expand the audience for cryptocurrency. The app is made for people new to trading and for experienced users by providing a tap-to-earn feature. Blum’s team hoped the platform would grow and make a significant impact in the crypto space. On the other hand, Smerkis’ arrest has caused disruptions within the project.
Blum Faces User Concerns
Blum’s users have asked for more information about the platform’s direction in the future. The community is concerned about the delay in the airdrop and the true value of rewards earned in the game. Since there are many questions, Blum has to step up and offer guidance. People in the community are asking for clear communication about these issues.
The arrest has shown that influencer involvement in crypto projects could be risky. With more coverage about the situation, Blum encounters a major obstacle in regaining users’ confidence. Blum is required to move swiftly and be straightforward to ease its users’ worries. If users mistrust the platform again, the services and its reputation might be lost.
Blum’s present circumstances are uncertain because its co-founder has been recently arrested. If the company manages customer disputes well, it can bounce back in the highly competitive crypto world. The response Blum makes can influence the course of the crisis. The decision on how the network operates can determine its strength and effectiveness in the crypto market.
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