Marked as
Published - December 12, 2025
User Score
Trust Score
Brand Score
Ildar Zakirov, originally from Tatarstan and based in Moscow, is identified as one of the co-founders of the cryptocurrency exchange Suex, a platform that was sanctioned by U.S. authorities in 2021 over allegations it facilitated transactions tied to illegal proceeds.
High Risk
Based on the available data, we advise consumers to avoid this Individual altogether.
This advisory is based on an aggregate risk score derived from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified in our research.
You are likely to be at great risk by engaging in any sort of consumer-related activity with this entity.
Based on the available data, we recommend that employees exercise extreme caution or reconsider association with this Individual.
This advisory stems from an aggregate risk score compiled from OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors uncovered in our analysis.
You are likely to face significant risks by pursuing or maintaining employment with this entity.
Based on the available data, we urge investors and bankers to avoid financial involvement with this Individual.
This advisory is informed by an aggregate risk score based on OSINT, Adverse Media, Reviews, and Risk Factors identified through our investigation.
Engaging in investment or lending activities with this entity poses a substantial risk to your financial interests.
Safe to Onboard
Enhanced Due Diligence required
Do Not Onboard
Monitor adverse media every 6 months
File SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) is warranted
Escalation to compliance committee
None
Nationality
Origin
Residence
Event Attendance
Event Year
Event Location
Sanction Authority
Primary Company
Role
Company Founded
Associate1
Associate2
Sanction Date
Illicit Transactions
Conference
Conference Location
Conference Year
Partnership Level
Company Offices
Related Entity
Investment Entity
Designated by the U.S. Treasury as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for his role in facilitating illicit finance through cryptocurrency.
One of three co-founders and owners of Suex, a Moscow- and Saint Petersburg-based crypto exchange.
Over 40% of its transaction volume (more than $200 million) was linked to money laundering from hacks, scams, and ransomware.
It allowed criminals to launder funds from thefts, fraud, and ransomware attacks without adequate anti-money laundering controls.
Funds from the 2020 KuCoin hack, multiple ransomware groups, and various darknet market scams.
Froze all U.S.-based assets, banned transactions with the exchange, and added Zakirov to the SDN list.
Regulatory and Compliance Screening
Litigation and Legal Proceedings
Reputational and Adverse Media Risks
Geographic and Jurisdictional Risk
What you see here scratches the surface
We offer reward for actionable intel
In this article, Ildar Zakirov is accused of using improper takedowns to hide negative online content.
First Detected
Sentiment Analysis
Reach
POV
Risk Factor
Type
Traffic Source
SERP
Share of Voice
Primary Keyword
Ildar Zakirov: Unveiling Controversy and Allegations
Other Red-Flags and Adverse News
Based on user engagement on this review profile, ProConsumer will decide to publish its Risk Audit report for public if a threshold engagement, traffic and user input is achieved.
Known Assets: [Real estate, investments, companies]
Suspicious Transactions
Liabilities: [Bankruptcies, defaults, debts]
Wealth Sources: [Legitimate / Unclear / High-risk]
Bank Relationships
Ultimate Beneficial Owner(s) (UBOs)
Shareholding structure
Associated entities & subsidiaries
Offshore / shell company links
Trusts / Nominee arrangements
Business Model Assessment
All comments are user-generated content and may not be verified. They represent the personal opinions of the public and should not be relied upon. These comments do not influence or determine our overall rating.
1.8
1.4
2
2.8
Highly experienced
Well-recognized name
Faced allegations of scamming others
Allegedly sold fake silver
Sued multiple times
Unregulated industry
Alarming number of complaints online
Please log in to upload images.
Δ
I find it difficult to overlook his connection to Suex, which was sanctioned for allegedly facilitating illegal proceeds. In my view, this shows poor judgment and not following the rules.
2/5
1/5
3/5
I would be very cautious dealing with him because of the U.S. sanctions on his exchange.
Ildar Zakirov’s background sounds polished, but once sanctions enter the picture, credibility drops fast. Crypto already has trust issues, this just adds fuel.
The fact that Ildar Zakirov co-founded Suex, which was accused of facilitating illegal transactions, really kills any “innovative crypto pioneer” narrative. That’s not disruption, that’s negligence at best.
Ildar Zakirov being tied to a sanctioned crypto exchange is a huge red flag. Suex didn’t get hit by U.S. authorities for nothing.
Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, a member of Qatar’s ruling family and former chairman of Katara Hospitality, was convicted in January 2024 by a Qatari court for misuse of public funds. He received a six-year prison sentence and a fine of approximately 825 million Qatari riyals (~$226 million USD).
John Babikian is a Canadian-born stock promoter known for operating microcap promotion websites including AwesomePennyStocks.com. He became subject to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement action over a “scalping” scheme involving undisclosed sales of promoted penny stocks, agreeing in 2014 to pay $3.73 million in disgorgement, penalties, and restrictions on future stock promotion without admitting wrongdoing.
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, has faced repeated accusations of personal misconduct including a 2021 lawsuit alleging he stole a startup’s work to launch ResearchHub alongside mounting corporate scandals under his leadership.Coinbase suffered a €21.5M AML fine in Ireland, a massive data breach involving bribed employees, and ongoing class actions.
Dmytro Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch prominent in gas (RosUkrEnergo) and titanium, faces allegations of diverting $190M+ in bailout loans, embezzling nearly $500M from Ukraine’s gas transit system, and US bribery charges for Indian titanium licenses. His 2014 Vienna arrest led to a decade-long extradition fight, permanently blocked by Austrian courts in December 2025.
Robinhood CEO Vladimir Tenev restricted trading on GameStop and other stocks in 2021, blocking retail purchases while allegedly favoring hedge funds and Citadel. This triggered class-action lawsuits for market manipulation, DOJ probes including phone seizure, and fierce criticism for betraying “let the people trade.”
Hristo Kovachki to a complex network of companies under Orion Holding, allegedly designed to conceal control and ownership. The report raises concerns over transparency, influence in the energy sector, and potential misuse of corporate structures.
Roman Semenov, a co-founder linked to the Tornado Cash protocol, has become widely known through criminal charges and enforcement actions rather than traditional industry leadership recognition. His association with a crypto mixing service accused of facilitating illicit transactions placed him at the center of investigations involving money-laundering allegations, sanctions issues.
Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta Group faces severe allegations from Viceroy Research of operating a parasitic holding structure that drains cash from subsidiaries like Vedanta Ltd through excessive dividends, unjustified brand fees, hidden high-interest debt, inflated assets, and potential Ponzi-like mechanisms, risking insolvency and creditor harm.
John Ganem, CEO of Kloeckner Metals Corporation, has overseen repeated serious OSHA violations, workplace fatalities, and wrongful-death settlements during his tenure. Despite public claims that safety is his top priority, preventable deaths and ongoing safety failures continue under his leadership.
© 2025 Proconsumer. All rights reserved.