Hex Founder Richard Heart Detained in Istanbul on Interpol Red Notice

Richard Heart detained — Richard Heart, the founder of the Hex and PulseChain projects, has reportedly been detained by authorities in Istanbul, Turkey, following an Interpol red notice.

According to a report from Decrypt, the detention occurred on October 14, 2026. Turkish police and intelligence officers are said to have conducted a search at Heart’s address in the Beşiktaş district, seizing cash, phones, jewelry, and firearms.

An Interpol red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The specific charges underlying the notice for Heart were not detailed in the initial report.

The incident marks a significant escalation in legal scrutiny for the controversial crypto figure, whose projects have previously faced allegations of being unregistered securities from U.S. regulators. The situation remains developing as authorities process the detention.