If you’re a long-time onchain degen or follower, you may have noticed a dog with a black hoodie becoming a meme trend on social media. In some ways, this dog isn’t new to the crypto world—it has a long history as a symbol (sort of…) on the internet.
The Story Behind the Dog
The dog in the hood (aka Resistance Dog, REDO) was originally hand-drawn and named in 2018 by none other than Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram and TON! He conceptualized REDO as a symbol of resistance against the Russian government’s censorship attempts on Telegram in 2018. .
Durov’s first company VK was the largest social network in Russia. Durov started it when he was around 21, basically a kid. The Russian government effectively seized it from him because he wouldn’t cooperate with them.
This experience profoundly shaped Durov, leading him to create Telegram after leaving VK. He meticulously designed Telegram to resist cooperation with authoritarian regimes. Durov’s vision was to build a platform that empowers citizens to communicate freely, transcending borders and oppressive governments.
According to X user reports, REDO emerged during anti-Putin protests. Durov got Kremlin requests to block Navalny’s VK account and later share a Ukrainian politician’s messages. He responded with dog photos, once adding, “This is my answer.” Since then, REDO (along with his tendency to “steal” your hoodies) has been the (un)official mascot of Telegram’s vision to resist censorship.
From A “Dog” to A Symbol
Following Durov’s arrest on August 24th, the Resistance Dog gained new significance as a symbol, similar to how the “Laughing Man” evolved into an icon for modern anti-capitalist and cyberpunk culture.
The Laughing Man (笑い男, Warai Otoko), Aoi (アオイ), is a character from “The Ghost in the Shell - TV Series.” As an anti-corporate hacker, who ultimately reveals to the Major that he had discovered several micromachine manufacturing corporations. After anime and cyberpunk culture, The Laughing Man has become a meme icon in the crypto world.
From TON officials to ecosystem team members, many TON Builders changed their avatars to the Resistance Dog to show support for Durov.
The Telegram mini-app “Digital Resistance,” launched by TON Society, a decentralized organization within TON ecosystem, has now garnered over 3.2 million signatures. This mini-app allows users to sign an open letter “supporting the release of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov.” Notable figures like Elon Musk and Vitalik Buterin have already signed the letter. The campaign aims to reach 5 million signatures.
After the arrest, more user-generated content (UGC) has emerged on social media. The TON Market Maker Club, a social movement DAO, recently launched an NFT collection series, further expanding the dog’s presence in TON ecosystem.
It’s unclear how Durov will be treated in the court, French prosecutors are investigating Durov for alleged financial crimes. On Aug 29th, he’s on €5M bail, must report bi-weekly, and can’t leave France. Note this isn’t a guilty verdict but suggests serious concerns. If convicted, Durov could face up to 10 years in prison.
In the End
Shaun Maguire, the partner from Sequoia post an article about Durov’s charge, he said these charges against Durov could be levied against any social media platform. Liberal values are under attack in the West to a magnitude that very few people understand.
Telegram, like any powerful tool, can be misused. However, judging Durov solely on these misuses misses the bigger picture. His primary goal was creating a platform for free, secure communication, especially vital in oppressive regimes. While Telegram faces criticism, Durov’s commitment to digital privacy and freedom from government control makes him a hero to many.
The REDO symbol has become an icon of this mission, representing the ongoing struggle for freedom of speech.