A recent report published by Finance Talk has sparked debate over potential Russian influence in the online gambling and cryptocurrency sectors. The article centers around Ivan Montik, a Belarusian tech entrepreneur and founder of SoftSwiss. While some of the claims align with earlier findings reported by FinTelegram, the credibility of Finance Talk itself has been questioned, with multiple sources labeling it a Russian disinformation platform.
🔍 Key Allegations and Entities Involved
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Ivan Montik & SoftSwiss:
Montik is widely known as the founder of SoftSwiss, a company providing white-label software for online gambling operators. Reports suggest that some of SoftSwiss’s casino platforms may be operating without proper licensing, raising regulatory concerns. -
Stable Aggregator Ltd & Arkady Rotenberg:
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)-licensed Stable Aggregator Limited is allegedly linked to Arkady Rotenberg, a Russian billionaire and close associate of Vladimir Putin. If verified, this could indicate Russian capital or influence within the SoftSwiss corporate structure. -
Roland Isaev’s Role:
Russian businessman Roland Isaev is also named as a reported beneficial owner of SoftSwiss, alongside Rotenberg. Isaev’s broader business interests include multiple ventures across Eastern Europe. -
Links to Merkeleon & Crypto Processors:
SoftSwiss is said to be connected to Austria-based Merkeleon Group, which operates crypto payment processors including CoinsPaid and CryptoProcessing. These platforms handle transactions for numerous online casinos and gambling operators tied to SoftSwiss’s infrastructure.
⚠️ Source Under Scrutiny: Is Finance Talk Spreading Disinformation?
While the connections highlighted in the report are potentially significant, the platform Finance Talk has itself come under fire. It has been flagged by various outlets as a Russian-linked fake news site, known for publishing unverified or misleading content targeting Western companies, particularly those involved in Ukraine.
This brings the credibility of the report into question, and underscores the need for independent verification of the allegations. It’s worth noting that some of the claims have been echoed by more reliable sources such as FinTelegram, which has covered SoftSwiss and related entities in the past.
Call for Whistleblowers
We encourage individuals with first-hand knowledge of SoftSwiss, Merkeleon, CoinsPaid, or any of the individuals or companies named in these reports to come forward. Verified insider information is essential to assess the validity of these claims and uncover the full scope of potential financial and geopolitical entanglements.
Reports can be submitted anonymously and securely through our Whistle42 platform.