We have previously reported that Mercuryo, through its Austrian lawyers Binder Groesswang, has launched a SLAPP action with an injunction against EFRI. It is alleged that EFRI had a sort of control over FinTelegram’s reporting. In the application for the preliminary injunction, Mercuryo even admits to having worked with scammers at short notice (!). The Estonian FIU confirmed that the Estonian Mercuryo entity MoneySwap OÜ has had its license revoked for violations of money laundering regulations.
Mercuryo‘s SLAPP lawyers, Binder Groesswang, apparently did not properly do their due diligence and KYC. Otherwise, they would have determined that Mercuryo is a Russian-controlled crypto-finance company.
In addition, the lawyers probably did not talk to the Estonian FIU. Otherwise, they would know that the FIU revoked the license of the Estonian Mercuryo entity, MoneySwap OÜ, for violations of money laundering laws. Mercuryo has brought two lawsuits against the regulator that are ongoing, according to the FIU.
The FIU decision states Mercuryo did not provide information about their beneficial owners. We understand this because Mercuryo tries to hide its Russian owners around Petr Kozyakov as best as possible. The FIU has also referred to the reports of FinTelegram and initiated appropriate investigations. On top of that, Mercuryo maintains intensive business relations with the notorious Russian-controlled Advcash. Another of Mercuryo’s business partners, Finanic OÜ, voluntarily withdrew its Estonian crypto license before the FIU revoked it.
Download the FIU decision here.
In the course of the SLAPP investigation, it will be interesting to see how the Austrian Mercuryo lawyers Binder Groesswang have checked the beneficial owners of their clients and their false claims. This is also against the fact that FinTelegram has been issuing warnings against Mercuryo for years, which regulators have even examined and confirmed.
Today, we have instructed our lawyers to evaluate legal actions against Binder Groesswang and Mercuryo for their SLAPP attacks. This could be an interesting test case.
