started · updated
Russian Crypto Miner Founder Igor Runets Detained in Billion‑Ruble Fraud Case
A Moscow court transferred Igor Runets, founder of BitRiver, from house arrest to pre‑trial detention for two months. Prosecutors accuse him of large‑scale fraud under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code, alleging a loss of almost 1 billion rubles after an advance payment for $8 million‑plus of cryptocurrency‑mining equipment that was never delivered. The disputed contract involved Fox Group, controlled by Runets, and Infrastructure of Siberia, a subsidiary of the En+ group. An arbitration court in April 2025 awarded the En+ affiliate 954.4 million rubles for the undelivered equipment, and Fox Group entered bankruptcy observation earlier in the year. Runets had already been placed under house arrest in January 2026 on separate tax‑evasion allegations. BitRiver, once Russia’s largest crypto‑miner by revenue, now faces bankruptcy and a search for new ownership.
Entities
BitRiver · En+ Group · Fox Group · Igor Runets · Infrastructure of Siberia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The equipment contract was between Fox Group, controlled by Runets, and Infrastructure of Siberia, an En+ subsidiary. coindoo.com · crypto.news · www.cryptobreaking.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] BitRiver, once Russia’s largest crypto miner by revenue, now faces bankruptcy and a search for new ownership. www.cryptobreaking.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Fox Group entered bankruptcy observation in January following a debt load of billions of rubles. coindoo.com · www.cryptobreaking.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Igor Runets was transferred from house arrest to pre‑trial detention for two months by a Moscow court. coindoo.com · crypto.news · www.cryptobreaking.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The alleged fraud involves nearly 1 billion rubles paid for mining equipment that was never delivered. coindoo.com · crypto.news · www.cryptobreaking.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] An arbitration court awarded the En+ affiliate 954.4 million rubles for the undelivered equipment contract. coindoo.com · crypto.news
- [● 2 SOURCES] Runets was previously placed under house arrest for alleged tax concealment in January 2026. coindoo.com · www.cryptobreaking.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Runets is charged under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code for large‑scale fraud. coindoo.com · crypto.news · www.cryptobreaking.com