News - Page 6

Are you finding it challenging to keep pace with the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency mining landscape? I understand it can be quite perplexing at times. With over 23,000 different cryptocurrencies currently in circulation, it’s challenging to determine where to start.

I’m here to help you understand the latest trends, challenges, and innovative developments in crypto mining. So, get comfortable, and let’s explore the exciting realm of digital currencies together.

By the end of our discussion, you’ll be well-informed about mining crypto in 2023 and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Crypto mining is shifting to sustainable methods, using solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
• New mining hardware is more efficient, with ASICs processing over 100 terahashes per second while using less energy.
• Regulatory uncertainty remains a major challenge for miners, with different countries adopting varied approaches to crypto laws.
• Security threats pose significant risks, with hackers stealing $3.8 billion worth of cryptocurrencies in 2022 alone.
• The industry is adapting to challenges through innovations in hardware, sustainable practices, and increased focus on security measures.

Key Innovations in Cryptocurrency Mining

I’ve seen some cool new stuff in crypto mining lately. Miners are finding smart ways to use less energy and make better machines.

Sustainable Mining Techniques

Sustainable mining techniques are revolutionizing the cryptocurrency industry. I’ve seen firsthand how these innovations are addressing environmental concerns while maintaining profitability.

1. Solar-powered mining farms: I’ve visited operations that use vast solar panel arrays to power their mining rigs. This approach cuts energy costs and reduces carbon emissions.
2. Hydro-electric mining: Some miners tap into clean hydro-electric power sources. These setups often use excess energy from dams that would otherwise go to waste.
3. Wind energy utilization: Wind farms are becoming popular for powering mining operations. They offer a consistent and renewable energy source for round-the-clock mining.
4. Geothermal power harnessing: In regions with geothermal activity, miners are tapping into this sustainable heat source. It provides a steady, eco-friendly power supply for mining rigs.
5. Energy-efficient hardware: New mining chips use less power while delivering higher hash rates. This advancement significantly reduces the overall energy consumption of mining operations.
6. Heat recycling systems: Some mining farms capture and reuse the heat generated by their equipment. This heat often warms nearby buildings or greenhouses, maximizing energy efficiency.
7. Carbon offset programs: Many mining operations now invest in carbon offset projects. These initiatives help balance out their carbon footprint and promote global sustainability efforts.
8. Immersion cooling technology: This method uses liquid to cool mining rigs more efficiently than air. It allows for higher performance while using less energy for cooling.
9. Smart grid integration: Some mining farms connect to smart grids. This setup allows them to adjust their power usage based on grid demand, supporting overall energy stability.
10. Blockchain-based energy trading: Miners are starting to use blockchain technology to trade excess energy. This practice optimizes energy use across the mining network and reduces waste.

Advances in Mining Hardware Efficiency

I’ve seen major leaps in mining hardware efficiency over the years. The latest ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) can process transactions much faster than older models.

This boost in speed helps miners solve complex math problems quicker, increasing their chances of earning rewards. For example, some new ASICs can handle over 100 terahashes per second, a huge jump from earlier versions.

Energy use has also improved greatly. Newer mining rigs use less power while doing more work. This cuts costs for miners and helps address concerns about crypto’s environmental impact.

I’ve noticed that many miners now focus on sustainable energy sources too. These advances tie into the broader trend of making crypto more efficient and scalable. Speaking of scalability, let’s look at some challenges facing cryptocurrency mining.

Challenges Facing Cryptocurrency Mining

Cryptocurrency mining faces tough hurdles. I’ll explore two major issues that miners must deal with daily.

Regulatory Uncertainty

I’ve seen firsthand how regulatory uncertainty shakes up the crypto mining world. In 2021, India’s proposed cryptocurrency ban sent shockwaves through the industry. Investors and businesses faced tough choices with unclear rules.

This isn’t just an Indian issue. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCA) framework aims to bring order, but global regulations remain a patchwork.

Crypto miners face a tricky landscape. We deal with government scrutiny while trying to work in a decentralized system. It’s a balancing act. I’ve had to adapt my mining operations quickly as laws change.

Sometimes, it feels like we’re building on shifting sands.

Regulatory uncertainty is the biggest challenge facing cryptocurrency miners today. It’s like trying to hit a moving target.

Security Risks and Cyber Threats

Moving from regulatory concerns, we now face a more immediate threat: security risks and cyber attacks. As a crypto trader, I’ve seen firsthand how these threats can shake our industry.

In 2022 alone, hackers stole $3.8 billion worth of cryptocurrencies. This staggering figure shows the scale of the problem we face.

The FTX exchange breach in 2022 stands out as a stark warning. Thieves made off with $400 million in digital assets, leaving many traders in shock. Security expert Don Tapscott has stressed this as a major worry for cryptocurrencies.

We must stay alert to protect our digital wealth from these growing threats. Malware, data breaches, and blockchain attacks pose real risks to our investments and privacy.

Conclusion

Cryptocurrency mining faces exciting changes and tough problems. New tech makes mining greener and faster, but laws and safety risks still worry miners. I see a future where mining becomes more eco-friendly and secure.

Smart rules will help the industry grow safely. As crypto keeps changing, miners must stay alert and adapt to succeed.

Worried about falling victim to cryptocurrency scams? It’s a valid concern, especially with investment fraud on the rise. Scammers are getting craftier, often using social media to lure in unsuspecting victims.

But there’s no need to worry excessively – there are ways to protect yourself and your digital assets. I’ve researched and uncovered some key strategies to spot scams, safeguard your crypto investments, and report fraud if it does happen.

In this blog, I’ll guide you through simple steps to help secure your hard-earned digital wealth. So take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s explore how to outsmart those sneaky fraudsters together.

Key Takeaways

• Phishing attempts, fake investment platforms, and social media tricks are common crypto scams to watch out for.
• Use trusted wallets and exchanges with strong security measures to protect your digital assets.
• Enable multi-factor authentication on all crypto accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
• Report suspected scams quickly to authorities like the FTC, FBI, and state attorney general offices.
• Stay informed about new fraud tactics by following official alerts from government agencies.

Recognizing Common Cryptocurrency Scams

I’ve seen many crypto scams in my time. Knowing how to spot them is key to keeping your money safe.

Phishing AttemptsPhishing attempts are a major threat in the crypto world. I’ve seen countless traders fall victim to these deceptive tactics. Here’s what you need to know about phishing attempts in cryptocurrency:

1. Email scams: Fraudsters send emails that look like they’re from legit crypto exchanges. They ask for login details or private keys. Never click links or share sensitive info from unsolicited emails.
2. Fake websites: Scammers create sites that mimic real crypto platforms. They often have URLs with slight misspellings. Always double-check web addresses before entering any data.
3. Social media tricks: Con artists pose as crypto influencers or companies on social platforms. They promise huge returns or free coins. Don’t trust unsolicited messages or too-good-to-be-true offers.
4. Malicious apps: Some fake apps in app stores steal user data or funds. Only download apps from official sources and read reviews carefully.
5. Phone scams: Criminals may call pretending to be from crypto support teams. They’ll ask for account info or remote access. Hang up and contact the company directly through official channels.
6. Clipboard hijacking: This malware changes copied wallet addresses to the scammer’s address. Always verify addresses before sending crypto.

Fake Investment Platforms

Fake investment platforms pose a serious threat to cryptocurrency traders. I’ve encountered numerous deceptive schemes that promise high returns but are designed to steal funds.

1. Cloned firms: These scammers copy legitimate companies’ websites and documents. They use fake reviews to seem trustworthy.
2. Recovery room scams: Fraudsters contact past victims, offering to recover lost money. They ask for upfront fees but never deliver.
3. Urgent investment pitches: Scammers often create a false sense of urgency. They pressure traders to invest quickly before “missing out.”
4. Unsolicited contacts: Be wary of unexpected investment offers. Legitimate firms don’t usually reach out this way.
5. Withdrawal restrictions: Many fake platforms make it hard to withdraw funds. They may claim “technical issues” or demand extra fees.
6. Guaranteed profits: No investment can promise certain returns. Claims of risk-free, high-yield opportunities are red flags.
7. Impersonation tactics: Scammers may pretend to be well-known firms or individuals. They use this false credibility to gain trust.
8. Fake cryptocurrency transfers: Some scams involve requests to send crypto for various reasons. These often come from online “love interests.”
9. Misleading ads: Fraudulent platforms often use flashy, unrealistic ads. They may feature fake celebrity endorsements or success stories.
10. Bogus documentation: Scammers create fake legal papers and licenses. These documents seem real but don’t hold up under scrutiny.

Steps to Safeguard Your Cryptocurrency Investments

I’ll show you how to protect your crypto investments. These steps will help you avoid scams and keep your digital assets safe.

Use Trusted Wallets and Exchanges

I always use reliable wallets and exchanges to protect my cryptocurrency investments. My digital assets aren’t backed by the government, so I take extra care. I choose secure wallets with alphanumeric addresses to store my coins and tokens safely.

For buying and selling, I stick to well-known exchanges that have strong security measures in place. These platforms often offer features like multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection to my account.

My experience has taught me the importance of researching before picking a wallet or exchange. I check if they’re licensed and have a good track record. I also make sure they support the specific cryptocurrencies I want to trade or hold.

By using reliable services, I reduce the risk of falling victim to scams or hacks. This approach helps me safeguard my virtual currency holdings and ensures the safety of my blockchain transactions.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

After setting up trusted wallets and exchanges, I focus on enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all my crypto accounts. This extra layer of security is crucial in protecting my digital assets.

MFA requires me to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify my identity before accessing my accounts.

I’ve learned that cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, so preventing unauthorized access is vital. By using MFA, I significantly reduce the risk of phishing attempts and unauthorized logins.

I always use a combination of something I know (like a password) and something I have (like a phone for SMS codes or an authenticator app). This strategy has helped me safeguard my investments and avoid falling victim to scams that create false urgency to send cryptocurrency.

Multi-factor authentication is like adding an extra lock to your digital vault. It’s a small step that makes a big difference in securing your crypto investments.

Reporting Cryptocurrency Scams

I know how crucial it is to report cryptocurrency scams. Quick action can help stop scammers and protect others from falling victim.

Contact Authorities and Crypto Fraud Help Lines

I’ve learned the hard way that reporting crypto scams is crucial. Here’s how I contact authorities and use crypto fraud help lines when I suspect foul play:

1. File a report with the FTC: I go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a detailed complaint. The FTC uses these reports to investigate and stop scams.
2. Contact my state’s attorney general: I reach out to my state AG’s office, as they often have dedicated units for crypto fraud.
3. Report to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): I submit a report at IC3.gov, which helps law enforcement track cyber crime trends.
4. Use the Cryptocurrency Fraud Hotline: I call 1-800-CALL-FBI to speak with agents who specialize in digital currency fraud.
5. Alert my crypto exchange: I notify my exchange’s security team about suspicious activity on my account.
6. Document everything: I keep records of all transactions, communications, and screenshots related to the suspected scam.
7. Check official government websites: I verify information on .gov sites, which are more secure and end in .gov or .mil.
8. Use secure connections: I ensure I’m on HTTPS:// sites when sharing sensitive info about the scam.
9. Stay updated on recent scams: I follow FTC alerts, like the August 26, 2024 settlement with Care.com, to stay informed about new fraud tactics.

Conclusion: Staying Vigilant and Informed

Staying alert is key to protecting your crypto investments. I always double-check before making any moves in the digital currency world. Learning about new scams helps me spot red flags quickly.

I keep my assets safe by using trusted wallets and exchanges. With care and knowledge, I can enjoy the benefits of cryptocurrency while avoiding fraud.

Bitcoin experienced a volatile session on September 6, briefly rallying before the Wall Street opening but ultimately dipping below the $55,000 mark as U.S. employment data fell short of expectations. Early in the trading session, Bitcoin aimed for $57,000 but retraced its steps, eventually marking new one-month lows at $54,919 on Bitstamp, following disappointing nonfarm payrolls figures for August.

Amid these fluctuations, a significant statement came from John Williams, President of the New York Fed, during his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations. Williams suggested a shift in monetary policy was on the horizon: “The current restrictive stance of monetary policy has been effective in restoring balance to the economy and bringing inflation down,” he noted. He added, “With the economy now in equipoise and inflation on a path to 2 percent, it is now appropriate to dial down the degree of restrictiveness in the stance of policy by reducing the target range for the federal funds rate.”

Following this, the CME Group’s FedWatch Tool indicated that the market was almost evenly split on the likelihood of a 25-basis-point or 50-basis-point rate cut at the next Federal Reserve meeting on September 18, with probabilities at 53% and 47%, respectively.

Concurrently, the U.S. dollar index (DXY) saw a rise of 0.3% at market open, negating Bitcoin’s initial positive reaction to the macro data. Yet, Daan Crypto Trades commented on the long-term outlook for the dollar, noting weakness and predicting a potential drop: “$DXY Remains very weak and is sitting on the ~101 support level,” he shared on X, suggesting, “I think it’s a matter of time before this breaks lower to the 99.5 level and beyond. This should generally help risk assets.”

Meanwhile, focusing on Bitcoin’s immediate price movements, trader and analyst Rekt Capital highlighted ongoing challenges for Bitcoin bulls. “Bitcoin is forming a 4-hour downtrending channel, with a Bullish Divergence developing as well,” he observed, pointing to an increase in relative strength index (RSI) values amidst a declining price trend, indicating potential for future bullish activity despite current market frustrations.

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, was recently indicted in France and placed under judicial supervision following his court appearance. Durov faces multiple criminal charges stemming from his role at Telegram, and as part of the conditions for his release, he was required to post a 5 million euro bail. The arrest was made at a Paris airport on August 24, and after several days in custody, Durov was brought to court.

According to a Bloomberg report on August 28, French prosecutors have charged Durov with several offenses, including complicity in illegal activities, refusal to cooperate with authorities, money laundering, and operating without a proper license for cryptology services. This action follows a judicial investigation initiated in July under a generic warrant.

“Free speech allegations Many of Durov’s defenders have criticized French authorities for taking the Telegram CEO into custody, claiming the move represented an attack on freedom of expression.”

The charges link Durov to severe allegations of facilitating the spread of child pornography and other illicit activities via Telegram. Additional unrelated charges of child abuse are also reportedly being brought against him in Switzerland.

“French President Emmanuel Macron denied Durov’s arrest was politically motivated, but many questions still seem to linger after four days.”

With Telegram boasting over 900 million monthly users as of 2024, the outcome of this case could potentially influence how legal responsibilities are assigned to leaders of other major social media platforms, like Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk.

Seizure of Russian assets across the globe is picking up steam. According to Bloomberg, at the request of G7 state leaders, a group of legal experts greenlit the arrest of $300 billion, assets of Russia’s central bank, as such actions are permitted by the international law with regard to the scale of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Justice said they intend to seize the assets of the Russian oligarchs worth $700 million.

The West’s closing in on the Russian tycoons, the majority of whom are actively involved in financing the Russia’s barbaric war, one way or another. Hence, the oligarchs seek save havens for their money. Many try to make their stash go unnoticed in the UK and its jurisdictions.

Our investigation deals with German Kaplun, the former owner of the Russian propaganda media RBC, who’s now trying to create an image of a law-abiding British investor; Kaplun is looking to whitewash his money in the UK through TMT Investments, and in Ukraine – through the very same enterprise and his cousin Yosyp Pintus, the owner of RBC-Ukraine. However, the money Kaplun and Pintus are trying to launder are soaked in blood, since they came from the Russian government, the Ministry of the Interior in particular, with licenses for some of Kaplun’s companies issued by the FSB [Federal Security Service]. Let’s start from the top, shall we?

So, German Kaplun is known in the UK as the owner of TMT Investments. Company shares are traded at the London Stock Exchange. Company’s a typical close-end venture capitalist that mostly operates with its own money, bringing in the external investments in some high-risk operations. As you can tell, the enterprise does not shy away from outright manipulation of securities. 

From Russia with frauded investors

For instance, a case that pops up in mind is a scandal with TMT Industries sale and purchase of shares of Cypriot Appsindep (developer of online games for social network platforms) among the Kaplun-affiliated companies. As a result of such manipulations, TMT investors lost their money, and turned to private investigators to establish facts of violations in the management of investors’ funds. According to the available at the time intel, collected by the detectives (Appsindep file), established are the facts of deliberate purchase of a “dummy” (Lightvision Interactive Ltd with no physical assets, founded in Hong Kong in 2010 by Kaplun’s business partner), failure to disclose affiliations in share transactions, manipulations of financial statements – a blatant violation of the LSE listing rules and British financial legislation.

Some of the law-breaking acts were committed by Kaplun’s cousin, Yosyp Plintus, and his British Virgin Islands company PARADY BUSINESS GROUP, namely the purchase of Lightvision Interactive shares from TMT in December 2013 (Lightvision Parady file). It’s hard to say when PARADY BUSINESS sold off Lightvision Interactive shares, the Hong Kong company was liquidated in 2017.

TMT Investments was founded in the fall of 2010, in Jersey (United Kingdom), by Kaplun and his RBC business partners. The information of the shareholders is public. Kaplun indirectly own 24% of company shares, and is the major shareholder. Most of the managerial staff are former Russian Federation citizens, RBC employees under Kaplun’s command. TMT managers and shareholders invested in an extensive network of offshore companies in various jurisdictions for the following facilitation of TMT operations with securities. The 2020 entry in the Jersey registry shows that TMT shareholders list has over 30 names, with brokerage companies, Belize and BVI-based trusts, Russian nationals (TMT 2020 file, closing pages). All TMT managers – former citizens of the Russian Federation – are now holders of UK passports.

This fact alone is a threat to the national security of the United Kingdom should you know the origins of money that Kaplun and TMT Investments operate. This money comes straight from the Russian government, namely the punitive state bodies. This money was made under supervision and with blessing of the FSB.

“British” investor with money off Gazprom, Rostec, and Russia’s law enforcers

Starting in the early-2000s, the Russian holding company RBC ran a separate IT business unit under the RBC SOFT brand. In 2007, RBC shareholders voted in favour of separating RBC’s IT business into a standalone holding company ARMADA.

In that same 2007, ARMADA shares were listed on the Moscow’s RTS and MICEX exchanges; for the $20 million proceeds from the sale of some company shares, was bought a string of other Russian IT-enterprises that developed and integrated software solutions in B2B sector (logistics, banking, trade, government structures).

Group of companies ARMADA had three business lines: Armada Soft (software development), Armada Center (software integration and hardware solutions), and Armada Online (cloud-based business services).

According to Russia’s Federal Treasury, between 2011 and 2017, ARMADA won 79 bids for the government agencies and companies, worth $80 million in total. Among the major clients of ARMADA were Moscow’s city hall, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Federal Treasury of Russia. Also, Gazprom, VEB, Sberbank, and “Russian Helicopters” that is part of Rostec military concern.

In 2013, ARMADA was granted a license issued by the Second Service of the FSB that permits the development of secure systems and encryption tools.

“Armada” was co-owned by Kaplun and some other Russian oligarch, Mikhail Fridman (Alfa Group). In the summer of 2014, ARMADA’s two central shareholders at the time, Kaplun and Fridman, had a fallout on the grounds of mutual claims to gain de facto control over the company. Kaplun came out victorious, and was in charge of ARMADA.

As reported by ARMADA Joint Stock Company, Kaplun still sits on the company’s Board of Directors and, despite the recorded claims of having no ARMADA share capital, is in fact in indirect possession of ARMADA shares via the offshore MENOSTAR HOLDINGS LIMITED (Cyprus) and ARSENAL ADVISOR LTD. (BVI).

Therefore, judging by the actions of German Kaplan and his cousin Yosyp Pintus, these two are clearly engaged in money laundering; it’s not just some Russian money, oh no, it’s the money from the Russian state agencies, some of which are either state secret services, or are part of Russia’s military complex.

The agent’s bazaar of good Russians in Ukraine

The second country where Kaplun whitewashes his Russian money is, which may come as a surprise, Ukraine. He is helped by his cousin Yosyp Pintus, the owner of one of Ukraine’s largest digital media, information agency RBC-Ukraine. The front for money laundering and, most likely, working for Russian interests is a venture IT-syndicate TOLOKA.

In June 2023, Ukrainian media announced the arrival of an investment community under the TOLOKA brand name. The reports said the co-founders of the project are Igor Shoifot (TMT Investments), Taras Kyrychenko (Nova Poshta), and Oleksandr Kolba (Promodo).

TOLOKA’s official site highlights the support of the entrepreneurial effort in Ukraine, charitable funds, and support of Ukraine in general.

The relevant “Ukrainian” picture was painted in his interview by one of TOLOKA’s declared co-founders, representative of TMT Investments, Igor Shoifot.

However, according to Shoifot’s LinkedIn page, he completed his higher education in Moscow, securing his PhD from the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Moreover, he’s been Kaplun’s business partner since March 2011, basically from the earliest days of TMT Investments.

Russian role in Shoifot’s life and experience was never part of TOLOKA’s discussion. The fact the largest investor of TMT Investments, German Kaplun, is a Russian national, was never brought up as well.

It’s worth pointing out, the most media coverage dedicated to TOLOKA came from the outlet ProIT, founded in the summer 2023 (inside the same timeframe as TOLOKA) by the former editor-in-chief of RBC-Ukraine Anton Podlutskyi, and former writer on economics, PR-expert Olesia Ostafiieva.

TOLOKA news were also posted on RBC-Ukraine.

Russians in control of one of Ukraine’s largest media

RBC-Ukraine is currently in Ukraine’s top-5 digital media outlets. Established in 2006, it’s a regional branch of the Russian media holding company RBC (short for “RosBusinessConsulting”), owned by German Kaplun. Ukrainian subsidiary of RBC is run by Yosyp Plintus, Kaplun’s cousin. The official narrative enforced by RBC-Ukraine, solidified on its Wikipedia page as well, is that Ukrainian agency parted ways with the Russian holding company in 2010, and has been fully under control of Pintus since 2015. RBC-Ukraine is painted as an independent company starting 2014, having nothing to do with the former Russian owners.

However, there’s ample evidence this is untrue. Our investigation found:

1. RBC-Ukraine can be controlled and financed by the Russian parties via anonymous offshore enterprises

2. Yosyp Pintus, owner of RBC-Ukraine, lies about severed ties with Russia. Pintus-controlled companies partake in fraudulent schemes targeting British investors

3. Pintus’ Ukrainian passport is used by Kaplun to legalize his endeavors in the UK and other countries, where Russian money is not welcome.

Let us look closer ay the evidence at hand. So, the de facto ownership of information portal rbc.ua, according to the information on the said site, is carried out by LLC UBT MEDIA. CEO is Yosyp Pintus, deputy CEO is Volodymyr Shultz. Both are listed as co-owners.

The basic structure of Pintus and Schultz’s ownership in all registered Ukrainian companies:

At the same time, Pintus is still the head of RBC-UKRAINE LLC, the “operator” of the rbc.ua website until 2015. The owner of RBC-UKRAINE LLC is MASS MEDIA GROUP LLC (100%). The owner of MASS MEDIA GROUP LLC is THORNLEY INVESTMENTS LTD (BVI, 100%). There is currently no information about the ultimate beneficiary of THORNLEY INVESTMENTS.

RBC-UKRAINE LLC, according to the Report on the listed affiliates, was a unit within the overall structure of the Russian RBC.

THORNLEY INVESTMENTS LTD (current owner of MASS MEDIA GROUP) is also among the companies affiliated with RBC Holding (RBC THORNLEY LTD file).

It’s worth mentioning that according to public sources, Belize company SOUTHBURY MARKETING INC., beneficiary company of New Business Media, was closed in 2019, yet in Ukrainian registers it is listed as the current owner of New Business Media.

RBC trademark ownership in Ukraine

Rather telling is the fact that, despite the claims of severed ties with the Russian company RBC, Yosyp Pintus went above and beyond to keep the Russian trade mark operational in Ukraine. As an example of such a strenuous effort on behalf of Mr. Pintus is a court case from 2015-2018, which revolved around the ownership rights for the RBC trademark. Plaintiff, MASS MEDIA GROUP, sought to invalidate the agreement on the transfer of rights to use the RBC trademark, alleging the former RBC-Media accountant signed the relevant paperwork in violation of the Law. The third party involved was the BVI-registered THORNLEY INVESTMENTS LTD, owner of MASS MEDIA GROUP. According to the State Register of Property Rights, RBC trademark is owned by RBC-MEDIA LLC. Also, MASS MEDIA GROUP remains the representative of the right to the Russian trademark C-NEWS (www.cnews.com) in Ukraine on behalf of ROSBUSINESSCONSULTING JSC.

RBC-RF and RBC-Ukraine pre-2015

Until 2014, RBC-UKRAINE was in possession of the BVI-registered offshore company NewMediaHosting Inc. It is impossible to produce physical evidence of the previous connection at the moment. By the looks of it, NewMediaHosting Inc. has been liquidated.

Until 2012 at least, MASS MEDIA GROUP was owned by the Cypriot RBC INVESTMENTS (CYPRUS) LIMITED and GAROUSENTO HOLDINGS LIMITED. German Kaplun was in ownership of the Cypriot legal entity. Kaplun was managing the bank accounts of RBC INVESTMENTS (CYPRUS) LIMITED in the Russian Federation (RBC INVESTMENTS HISTORY file). Cyprus-based company was closed in 2015.

Until 2012, Pintus and Ukrainian legal entities were listed in the Russian registers as a structural part of the Russian RBC.

Pintus’ offshore companies working for Kaplun

The basic structure of Pintus’s main connections in all known offshore companies:

As for Pintus’ first parent company from the BVI, Aquarius Market, it is known from the archival sources on the internet media that the company was used by Kaplun to conduct RBC-Holding securities deals disguised as a third-party entity; the company was, in effect, under complete control of Kaplun through Pintus as a front. Russian media mention Trafford Inc from Belize (owned by Pintus) was used by Kaplun as a shareholder of RBC stakes. TRAFFORD INC. was closed in 2019.

Another BVI parent offshore company of Pintus, PARADY BUSINESS GROUP (has a mutual registrant with THORNLEY INVESTMENTS), was employed by Kaplun to facilitate his fraudulent manipulations with shares of another BVI legal entity, Berryman Capital Group. The deal on Kaplun’s purchase of Berryman Capital Group, a developer of online games for social networks, was public. The relevant news on the investment in Berryman is available in the TMT’s official announcement on the London Stock Exchange from 2012 (LondonStock Berryman file). Berryman Capital Group is also mentioned on the TMT Investments website as an implemented investment project.

Between 2015 and 2017, Pintus’ PARADY BUSINESS GROUP was the ultimate owner of 60% shares of Berryman Capital Group (through 2 offshore companies from the British Virgin Islands and Belize). Running the two companies were Kaplun’s proxies – Aleksandr Pak, TMT Investments manager and former analyst at RBC, and Larisa Koryakina, wife of Kaplun’s business partner, co-founder (along with Kaplun) of a production cooperative in Russia (Orgtechnika file).

It is presently impossible to verify the chain of ownership of PARADY BUSINESS GROUP – Berryman Capital Group, as at least one of the companies in the Belizean “chain”, ABA UNIT CORP. was liquidated in 2019. In addition, all three Belizean companies mentioned earlier and linked to Pintus (ABA UNIT CORP., TRAFFORD INC. and SOUTHBURY MARKETING INC.) were terminated in the same period – April 2019, which implicitly suggests a strong connection between all these Belizean companies used by Kaplun and Pintus for various schemes.

Conclusions that might interest the law enforcers of the UK and Ukraine

So,

1. German Kaplun owns and runs a group of IT companies ARMADA in Russia, which, supervised by the FSB, develop software for government bodies in the Russian Federation, namely the Ministry of the Interior, Gazprom, military concern Rostec, Moscow city officials etc.

• Pintus, as the offshore companies’ owner and a citizen of Ukraine, is a valuable “asset” to Kaplun and TMT, in particular, in overcoming the UK restrictions on assets transactions of companies affiliated with or owned by Russian citizens or dual citizens of Russia and the UK. Pintus’s offshore entities (AQUARIUS MARKET and PARADY BUSINESS) were used in Kaplun’s schemes in RBC and TMT.

• Kaplun’s company TMT Investments co-founded TOLOKA, a project designed to find promising IT startups in Ukraine. The project is promoted by the former RBC-Ukraine media managers, and news about TOLOKA are also duplicated on Pintus’ RBC-Ukraine, which is definitely tied to Kaplun through long-standing, close family and business ties (see conclusions to Part 1). The combination of facts suggests that TOLOKA may be utilized by Kaplun to find and use Ukrainian IT startups for the benefit of, among others, Russian government agencies, for whom Kaplun’s other Russian IT company, ARMADA, has been working for a number of years.

• Russian national Kaplun, who has connections to the Russian government and intelligence services, keeps influencing one of Ukraine’s largest media outlets, RBC-Ukraine. During the restructuring of the Russian RBC in 2013-14, the actual owner of RBC-Ukraine was Kaplun through the Cyprus-based RBC INVESTMENT. In 2014, the actual owner of RBC-Ukraine (MASS MEDIA GROUP) became an offshore company from BVI, THORNLEY INVESTMENTS. Accordingly, there was either a sale and purchase agreement, or Kaplun donated the company to Pintus, or Kaplun remains the ultimate shareholder of RBC-Ukraine (through THORNLEY INVESTMENTS). THORNLEY INVESTMENTS is listed as an affiliate of RBC-RF, so there is a valid link between RBC-Ukraine and RBC-RF (through MASS MEDIA GROUP and THORNLEY INVESTMENTS).

Can it be a sheer coincidence the Russian citizen, whose backstory includes work experience for the Russian government in a highly sensitive field, controlled by the Federal Security Service, is now trying to go legit in the countries opposing Russia – UK and Ukraine? Is it indeed a coincidence or a secret mission? The front of an “entrepreneur” or an “investor” has been among Russian secret services’ favourite covers for a while now. To recap, the same alias was used by Andrey Lugovoy, who poisoned Oleksandr Lytvynenko with polonium, and Petrov and Boshyrov, who tried to poison Serhii Skrypal – and accidentally killed an innocent British lady. We’re hoping the law enforcement agencies of the UK and Ukraine can answer these weighing questions.