PANews October 14 news: According to Bitcoin.com News citing Turkish media Sözcü, Richard Heart, founder of HEX and the L1 public chain PulseChain, was detained in a residence in Istanbul during a joint operation by Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and police. During the operation, approximately $4 million in cash, 53 Rolex and 11 Patek Philippe luxury watches, firearms and ammunition, and a large number of electronic devices were seized. His wife, A.K., was also detained.
The U.S. SEC previously accused him of issuing unregistered securities through related projects, raising more than $1 billion, and allegedly misappropriating at least $12 million to purchase luxury goods. The related lawsuit was dismissed in 2025 due to jurisdictional issues. In addition, Heart is wanted by Finnish authorities on suspicion of serious tax evasion and an assault case.