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March 25, 2021

Investor warning – Illegal broker AstonTrust with crypto payment processor Venus Exchange

The illegal broker AstonTrust (www.astontrust.net) is a part of the PumaTS network, as we uncovered in our latest update. It is operated by BMB Services Ltd, registered in the Marshall Islands with company number 103882. At least, that is what the terms and conditions on the website state. The AstonTrust broker has integrated the regulated Estonian crypto payment processor Venus Exchange (www.venus.exchange), operated by Steveyx OÜ and AM Estonia Services OÜ.

Financial Intelligence Report: Lykke Exchange Collapse

Swiss crypto exchange Lykke has collapsed following a major security breach in June 2024, resulting in the loss of approximately $22 million in customer funds. The incident led to the suspension of trading activities, bankruptcy proceedings, and significant financial losses for investors. This report analyzes the events leading to Lykke's downfall, the impact on stakeholders, and the ongoing legal actions.

Hunting Down: Background on The Arrest of Garantex Co-Founder Aleksej Bešciokov in India!

On March 13, 2025, Indian authorities arrested Aleksej Bešciokov, a Lithuanian national and alleged co-founder of the sanctioned Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, in Kovalam, Kerala. The arrest followed an international law enforcement action Bešciokov now awaits extradition to Lithuania on charges of money laundering, sanctions evasion, and facilitating ransomware transactions.

Call to Whistleblowers: What Is the World Economic Council (WEC) Really Up To?

The financial world in Europe is still reeling from the collapse of Rene Benko’s Signa Group, one of the largest and most scandalous bankruptcies in European history. Amid the rubble, a curious pattern has emerged: leading figures from the World Economic Council (WEC) — including Robert Schimanko, Thomas Limberger, and their legal advisor and business partner William H. Shawn — have quietly moved into strategic leadership positions within foundations linked to Benko.

Kraken’s $1.5 Billion NinjaTrader Acquisition Signals Bold Expansion Ahead of 2026 IPO

Kraken has acquired NinjaTrader in a $1.5 billion deal, marking a strategic leap toward uniting traditional finance with the crypto ecosystem. The move not only diversifies Kraken’s offerings but also sets the stage for its anticipated public listing in 2026. The timing aligns with renewed optimism in the crypto sector, driven by expectations of more favorable regulatory conditions under U.S. President Trump.

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Profile & Regulatory Analysis: Russian-Israeli Crypto Banker Moriel Carmi (formerly Mark Weinstein) and the Case for FCA Scrutiny

This report presents a comprehensive and objective profile of Moriel Carmi, a Russian-born Israeli financier previously known as Mark Mikhailovich Weinstein, who has emerged at the center of a growing network of high-risk payment processors and crypto service providers. Following a landmark ruling by the AIFC Court in Kazakhstan, questions now arise about Carmi’s regulatory fitness within the UK, where he operates the FCA-regulated e-money institution TomPay Ltd.