Serguei Kouzmine

Spanish Operation Troika indictment reveals Kouzmine co-founded multiple Spanish companies with Tambovskaya associates: Ikstessav Investments SL (March 1, 1996, capital EUR 338K, with Petrov/Salikov/Gavrilenkov), Hisparue SL (Jan 20, 1997, with Petrov/Gavrilenkov). German company Alpha-Handelsgesellschaft MbH (1991, with Salikov). Kouzmine also controlled: Casasol Investment SL, Louys Properties SL, Tomillo Inversiones SL, Namur Properties SL, Inversiones Finanzas Inmuebles SL -- a network spanning Spain, Panama, Liechtenstein, Liberia, and BVI.

Personal bankruptcy Nevada (05-22601, 2005-2007). Joint with Elena Spitsyna. During period building gambling empire with Boyko.

Kouzmine served as CEO of Ritzio Entertainment Group in 2006, growing revenues from $40M (2002) to $1.25B (2006). Ritzio, founded by Russian oligarch Oleg Boyko, was Eastern Europe's largest gaming company with 1000+ gambling halls in 15 countries. Revenue reached $1.6B in 2007. Russia banned most gambling outside designated zones in 2009.

Kouzmine is founder and majority investor in Animaccord Animation Studio (est. 2008), producer of 'Masha and the Bear' which has over 100 billion YouTube views and broadcasts in 150+ countries. Animaccord was sold to UFG. This represents a legitimate, highly successful media investment that also serves as reputation laundering for someone with documented organized crime connections.

QWave Capital (co-founded with Beloussov, 2012) has invested in four quantum technology companies: ID Quantique (Switzerland, quantum encryption), Nano-Meta Technologies (Purdue spinout, metamaterials), Clifton, and Centice Corp (Raman spectroscopy, drug identification). Fund reportedly has over USD 300M. Scientific advisory board includes Vladimir Shalaev (Purdue professor). Has Moscow address in addition to Boston.

Kouzmine controlled multiple Panamanian shell companies used as offshore vehicles: Banff Investment S.A. (incorporated 10/02/1980, ficha 049604), Kost de Inversiones S.A. (incorporated 25/10/1999, ficha 369580), Sandronella Real S.A. (ficha 347262), and Eporoyal S.A. (incorporated 12/12/2000). Svetlana Kouzmina served as Director/Secretary/Treasurer. These were administered via Panama Services World Inc. (Padilla & Asociados group).

Kouzmine established two Liechtenstein foundations administered by Administral Anstalt (Martin A. Ospelt): Sunbridge Anstalt (held bearer share certificates for Panama companies) and Dulcina Stiftung. Additionally, Merkin Incorporated S.A. was established in Liechtenstein as a holding entity. These Liechtenstein structures served as the apex of Kouzmine's multi-jurisdictional corporate structure controlling both Panama and Spanish entities.

Kouzmine controlled three BVI (British Virgin Islands) companies managed by Swiss lawyer Dr. Jurg Wissmann (Rechtsanwalt): Virginia Ventures Ltd (power of attorney from 20/03/1995), Merkin Ltd, and Kinbow Trading Limited. Annual maintenance cost was 2,600 CHF plus USD 300 each. Fax correspondence from Wissmann addressed jointly to 'L. Kazini and S. Kuzmin' confirms Khazine's co-involvement in managing the BVI entities.

Kouzmine controlled at least 7 Spanish companies through a layered ownership structure: Casasol Investment S.L. (B92246453, capital 813,006 EUR), Louys Properties S.L. (B92202936, capital 3,050 EUR), Tomillo Inversiones S.L., Namur Properties S.L., Ken Espanola de Inversiones S.L., Inversiones Finanzas Inmuebles S.L. (IFI, holding company/administrator), and Vista Park S.A. All registered at c/Armengual de la Mota 14, Malaga. IFI served as sole administrator of the operating companies and was itself 80% owned by Russian entity Altair Trade.

In 1991, Salikov constituted the German company Alpha-Handelsgesellschaft Mbh jointly with Sergey Kouzmine. Per court sentences convicting Salikov, this company was involved in massive VAT fraud exceeding 20 million EUR. Separately, Ikstessav Investments S.L. (B15552078, incorporated 01/03/1996, capital 338,129.40 EUR) was constituted by Petrov, Salikov, Vassetski, and Gavrilenkov and used for the same VAT carousel fraud. The name 'Ikstessav' is the reversed acronym of the Vassetski brothers' surname.

Indictment documents specific financial flows through Kouzmine's companies: Sandronella Real S.A. (Panama) transferred capital to Tomillo Inversiones S.L. via Solbank with Kouzmine as signatory. Eporoyal S.A. (Panama) transferred capital to Casasol Investment S.L. via Solbank. Cyrillic-titled document found at Yudashev's office shows six fractioned transfers totaling 637,138 USD to Tomillo and 662,904 USD to Casasol. Bearer share certificates for Panama companies held by Sunbridge Anstalt in Liechtenstein.

Kouzmine's Spanish companies held accounts at multiple Spanish banks: Banco de Andalucia (Kouzmine was introduced by lawyer Antonio de Fortuny), Solbank (used for capital transfers from Panama to Spanish entities), Banco de Sabadell (constituting capital for Casasol Investment), La Caixa, and Banca a Distancia services. The Swiss bank Union Bancaire Privee held accounts for Petrov's financial vehicle Vesper Finance Corporation. Kouzmine's Liechtenstein entities used Bank AG (Liechtenstein) for Bonatrevi Treuhand-Anstalt transactions.

Merkin Limited, a Liberian company (also referenced as BVI-domiciled in some documents), was the key vehicle for restructuring Kouzmine's ownership. On 28/12/2004, Kouzmine (representing Eporoyal) ceded 390,243 participaciones of Casasol Investment and 24 participaciones of Louys Properties to Iouliana Novikova Neva representing Merkin Limited. On 13/09/2005, participations in Spanish companies were transferred from Panama entities to Merkin Limited and to Olena Boyko. Merkin Ltd was managed from Liechtenstein by Administral Anstalt and had Dr. Wissmann as Swiss counsel.

Namur Properties S.L. (B92124163, constituted 11/01/2000 in Malaga) was unique among Kouzmine's Spanish companies: per a manuscript note found at Yudashev's office, 'Namur Properties S.L. participa en el 24.5% en una sociedad rusa y participa en varias empresas offshore cada una propietaria de un barco.' Namur held bank accounts at Banco de Andalucia (account 00043070020601561451 EUR). Merkin Ltd transferred 50,000 EUR to Namur on 10/02/2006 as a 'prestamo' (loan), and 40,000 EUR on 05/07/2006 for 'regularizacion de saldo deudor.' Ownership: Merkin Limited held 35,580 shares; Kouzmine personally held 1,038 shares.

Indictment page 133 reveals transfers from Petrov's Vesper Finance Corporation (Union Bancaire Privee account) to OOO Dom Na Kazansergey Kouzmineoy Ltd in St. Petersburg (account 40702840922000525100 at Ural-Siberian bank), totaling 2,418,024 USD in 2004 alone across 8 transfers (concept: Centros Comerciales Antei). Also transfers to entities at US addresses: United Alliance Ltd at 835 Central Ave Suite 402, Hot Springs, Arkansas (200,000 USD on 19/08/2004 via Lateko Bank Latvia), and Kingsway Technology LLC at 1000 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington (65,000 EUR across 3 transfers in 2005 via Banque Generale du Luxembourg).

Per indictment p.136: Petrov's Vesper Finance Corporation transferred 525,000 USD to Liniya Svyazi Joint Stock Company (address: 59 Liteiniy Ave, 191104, St. Petersburg) at Bank Rossiya (account 40702840800009001972) in 3 transfers (19/09/2003: 300,000 USD; 27/11/2003: 125,000 USD; 23/12/2003: 100,000 USD). Separately, Swiss lawyer Dr. Jurg Wissmann (same lawyer managing Kouzmine's BVI companies) invoiced for Santon Foundation work and for intermediating a contract with Liniya Svyazi, paid via Credit Suisse account 359480-91.

Fintech Ventures Fund led CAD 4.4M investment in IOU Financial (Montreal, CIK 1690646) and Kouzmine joined board. He later participated in a CAD 1.5M private placement (7.5M shares). He also led GROUNDFLOOR Finance's USD 5M Series A round and took a board seat. Kouzmine's charter at GROUNDFLOOR guarantees his board seat as long as he holds 10%+ of Series A. He was integral to securing Affinity Bank's FDIC/state charters before its sale to Newton Federal Bank (NASDAQ: AFBI) in 2020.

Kouzmine personal investment vehicle FinTech Venture Fund LLLP holds board seats at portfolio companies including GROUNDFLOOR Finance (Atlanta real estate crowdfunding, CIK 1588504). Charter guarantees Kouzmine board seat as long as 10%+ Series A held.

Per NHC/TBCA report: Bank Rossiya, designated by US Treasury in April 2018 as a personal bank for senior Russian government officials, was co-founded by Petrov (27% shareholder until 2003) and Kuzmin was also a co-founder and shareholder. Bank Rossiya shareholders include members of Putin's inner circle associated with the Ozero Dacha Cooperative. Vladislav Reznik, a State Duma deputy and co-defendant in the Troika case, was also a shareholder.

Kouzmine controlled 7+ Spanish companies and offshore entities in Panama, Liechtenstein, Liberia, BVI, Cyprus for money laundering

Spanish companies: Inversiones Finanzas Inmuebles SL (80% owner, CIF A92269596), Casasol Investment SL (CIF A92246453), Louys Properties SL, Tomillo Inversiones SL, Namur Properties SL (with Ocana Palma), Hisparue SL (1997, CIF A29820214, with Petrov/Gavrilenkov), Ikstessav Investments SL (1996, B15552078, capital EUR 338K). Germany: Alpha-Handelsgesellschaft mbH (1991, with Salikov, VAT fraud). Offshore in Panama, Liechtenstein, Liberia, BVI, Cyprus.

Kouzmine held senior management positions at Finstar Financial Group and Invest AG LLC -- both Oleg Boyko entities. Also President of IBS Development Corp since 2008. This demonstrates ongoing operational relationship with Boyko beyond the Ritzio gambling venture, extending into Boyko's broader fintech and financial services empire. Boyko's Finstar manages approximately USD 2B in assets across 30 countries.

Kouzmine served as President of Russian Quantum Center (2012-2013) during the same period he co-founded QWave Capital with Beloussov. The Russian Quantum Center is a Moscow-based research organization. This dual role gave him access to both Russian and Western quantum computing research networks.

Hisparue S.L. was jointly constituted by Gennadios Petrov, Viktor Gavrilenkov, and Sergey Kouzmine. As of January 20, 1997, all three were partners. This joint company triggered a money laundering investigation in Spain (Diligencias Previas 1235/2000, Juzgado de Instruccion 6, Marbella), linking Kouzmine directly to Petrov's criminal enterprise before the main Troika case.

Salikov was an active member of the Tambovskaya group who 'constituted companies with Serguei Kouzmine and with Petrov so that the proceeds of their illicit activities would be exploited by the three.' Salikov convicted (sentence 11/09/2009, Diligencias Previas 376/05) for fraudulent VAT refunds exceeding 20 million EUR. Salikov testified that the beneficiaries included other members of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya criminal community. Also founded Sunstar Inversiones S.L. with Petrov in December 1998.

Kouzmine appointed President of Constructor University (Bremen, Germany) in November 2025 by Board Chairwoman Oznur Bell -- who is Serguei Beloussov's wife. Beloussov acquired the formerly Jacobs University in 2022. Kouzmine replaced Stanislav Protasov (Beloussov's longtime business partner at Acronis). This appointment places a Tambovskaya-linked individual as head of a German university through the Beloussov network.

Tambovskaya leadership triumvirate: Malyshev handled force operations, Petrov managed government contacts, Kuzmin served as economics expert. At peak (1991-1992) commanded ~2,000 members. Co-owned JV Petrodin (1991) with Petrov via BHM company (65%), Dyna AB (35%). Petrodin provided capital from casinos/rackets for Bank Rossiya.

Spanish associates charged as Kouzmine helpers: Leonid Khazine (business associate), Kiril Iline Yudashev (business associate), Olena Boyko (domestic employee who provided business support), Francisco Ocana Palma (business associate), Leocadia Martin Garcia (domestic employee). All acquitted Oct 2018. Khazine notably acknowledged guilt but was still acquitted.

Kouzmine-Drokova-Epstein nexus confirmed: Masha Drokova (now Bucher) was publicist for QWave Capital, headed by Beloussov and co-founded by Kouzmine. Drokova mentioned 1,627 times in Epstein files. In 2017, presented herself as Epstein's publicist to Science journalist. Beloussov hired Drokova at both Runa Capital and Acronis before she launched Day One Ventures. FBI memo (Operation Trip Knot) describes QWave as vehicle to gain access to politicians susceptible to blackmail.

BANFF INVESTMENTS S.A. (Panama, 1980) uses Padilla y Asociados as agent, Kuzmine as president

OpenCorporates confirms BANFF INVESTMENTS S.A. (PA #49604, inc. 1980-01-18) with agent PADILLA Y ASOCIADOS, president SERGEI KUZMINE, treasurer SVETLANA KUZMINA

Kouzmine was detained on September 5, 1992 alongside Petrov, Malyshev, and Mustafin as part of a criminal gang (bandidaje) led by Malyshev. Approximately 30 persons were arrested. Petrov and Kouzmine had also coincided in prison in Russia. EUROPOL Belgium communicated to SIRENE-Spain that Gavrilenkov, Petrov, and Kouzmine were known to Belgian police services for money laundering. Kouzmine escaped arrest during the June 2008 Spanish raids (Operation Troika).

1994 St. Petersburg indictment (Case No. 534530) details Kouzmine's participation in extortion operations. In July-August 1992, Kouzmine and Petrov visited AO Autos-Sanct-Petersburg, proposing 'cooperation' (euphemism for protection racket) and 'demonstrating tabletop firearms' to intimidate company directors. They returned Sept 18-19, 1992 repeating demands. Kouzmine arrested Oct 1, 1992 with other gang members. His role was characterized as 'expert on economics' within the Malyshev group leadership.

Federal criminal prosecution SDNY: United States v. Kouzmine (1:95-cr-00846, 1995-2000). Charges unknown, needs PACER. Predates QWave/Fintech Ventures/Ritzio partnerships.

SDNY criminal case (1:95-cr-00846) assigned to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Kouzmine was defendant #4 (federal_defendant_number: 4), indicating multiple co-defendants. Co-defendant Goulnar Esjanova's matter terminated Oct 15, 1996 while Kouzmine's ran until March 27, 2000 with last filing March 30, 2000. The 5-year duration and SDNY venue suggest serious federal charges. The case began Sept 20, 1995 -- 3 years after his 1992 arrest in St. Petersburg.

Spanish indictment (D.P. 321/06) names Sergey Kouzmine as one of four top leaders of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya criminal organization alongside Petrov, Malyshev, and Izgilov. Kouzmine controls his own operational structure (Estructura Kouzmine) with subordinates including Leonid Khazine, Olena Boyko, Kiril Yudashev, and Spanish lawyers Antonio de Fortuny Maynes and Francisco Ocana Palma.

Spanish court ruled October 18, 2018 acquitting 17 defendants in Operation Troika of money laundering charges. However, Kouzmine, Petrov, and Gavrilenkov were NOT acquitted -- they were tried in absentia and remain at large. The court found the prosecution failed to prove money flowing through Spain originated from crime, but this ruling applied only to present defendants. Kouzmine's status remains: wanted, never sentenced, never acquitted.

Per NHC/TBCA report (March 2021): In October 2018, the Spanish Audiencia Nacional acquitted all 17 defendants in the Troika case. Two defendants (Mikhail Rebo and Leonid Khazin) had pleaded guilty. Leonid Khazin admitted managing companies in interests of Sergei Kuzmin in Spain, Panama, Liberia and BVI, and confirmed money from Kuzmin's criminal activities passed through the companies. The court ruled the acquittal because 'the origin of the acquired, converted, transmitted or concealed property is not proven of being from criminal activity, there is no money-laundering offence.'

NHC/TBCA report documents the full Troika operation: In June 2008, several dozen persons arrested on charges of involvement in a criminal organisation and money laundering of approx. 50 million EUR. Three presumed main mobsters targeted: Gennady Petrov, Alexander Malyshev, and Sergey Kuzmin. Petrov's phones had been tapped for over a year prior. Kouzmine escaped arrest. At trial, both Malyshev and Kuzmin pleaded guilty (first session) but judges acquitted them saying they did not trust their plea. 1995 Russian court had already acquitted Petrov, Kouzmine, and Malyshev of bandidaje, as Serguey Kouzmine had no criminal record at the time.

QWave co-founder Kouzmine identified as Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya mafia leader by Spanish prosecutors in Operation Troika

Spanish National Court Operation Troika (2008) identified Serguei Kouzmine alongside Gennady Petrov and Viktor Gabrilenkov as main leaders of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya criminal organizations. Kouzmine described as having his own sphere of operations acting with full coordination in Spain. He settled in Marbella in 1996 with Petrov and Gabrilenkov. While the Spanish court acquitted 17 associates, Kouzmine remained at large. He simultaneously ran Ritzio Entertainment (revenues from 40M to 1.25B 2002-2006) with Oleg Boyko and co-founded Fintech Ventures. This is the same person who co-founded QWave Capital with Beloussov - managing M+ in quantum tech investments.

1994 St. Petersburg criminal case 534530: Kouzmine charged as core member of Tambov-Malyshev OCG alongside Petrov and Malyshev. Charges: organized criminal community membership, extortion (AO Autohautz-Sankt-Petersburg, TOO NILTOV), illegal weapons possession. Detained September 5, 1992.

2015 Spanish indictment (Operation Troika): Kouzmine one of three main targets alongside Petrov and Malyshev. Charged with money laundering and criminal association. Escaped arrest in Spain. Tried in absentia. NOT acquitted -- the acquittal applied only to 17 present defendants. Kouzmine remains wanted, never sentenced, never acquitted.

Serguei Kouzmine (QWave Capital co-founder and alleged Tambovskaya figure) filed Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy in D. Nevada on October 11, 2005 (case 05-22601), jointly with Elena Spitsyna. Case terminated July 27, 2007. Assigned to Judge Mike K. Nakagawa. Notably, this filing date (Oct 11, 2005) is just one week after the Virginia bankruptcy filing of 'Frank C. Creer and Jean M. Creer' (Oct 4, 2005). While geographic separation (Nevada vs Virginia) argues against direct connection at that time, parallel near-simultaneous personal bankruptcies of two men later confirmed as co-directors of Centice Corp is noteworthy. Kouzmine's Nevada domicile at time of bankruptcy is consistent with his later Las Vegas/Nevada operational footprint.

Kouzmine identified by Spanish prosecutors as one of THREE main leaders of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya mafia (St. Petersburg organized crime syndicate). Role: 'expert on economics' (financial brain). Other leaders: Gennady Petrov (political contacts), Alexander Malyshev (enforcer). Detained Sept 1992 with Malyshev gang. Settled in Marbella Spain 1996. Spanish Operation Troika (2008) targeted the group. Kouzmine evaded arrest (missed flight while drunk). Tried in absentia. Other defendants confessed to laundering criminal money for Kuzmin. This is the same person who co-founded QWave Capital with Beloussov and sits on Centice Corp board with Frank Creer.

FBI WFO Squad CR05 (Transnational Organized Crime, Eastern Hemisphere) memo EFTA00129096 (April 3, 2025) identifies Kouzmine in the context of a POTUS vetting request for Tim Draper. The memo describes Kouzmine as Beloussov's co-founder of QWave Capital who co-founded Fintech Ventures with Oleg Boyko and the gambling company Ritzio Entertainment. The memo was produced by an agent working transnational organized crime matters, placing the Kouzmine-Beloussov-Draper network squarely in the FBI's organized crime intelligence portfolio.

FBI ARMS Reach vetting memo (EFTA00129096, April 2025) from WFO Squad CR05 identifies Serguei Kouzmine as co-founder of QWAVE Capital with Serguei Beloussov, and co-founder of Fintech Ventures and Ritzio Entertainment with sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Boyko. Document establishes Kouzmine as bridge figure between Russian organized crime networks and Silicon Valley VC ecosystem connected to Epstein.

Gennady Petrov (Kouzmine's co-leader) is sanctioned by Ukraine (UA-SA1644) and tracked by Dossier Center and ACF as leader of Tambov organized crime group. Personal friend of Putin. Co-founder of Bank Rossiya with Vladislav Reznik. Used connections to arrange appointment of Alexander Bastrykin as Chairman of Investigative Committee. INN: 784105586622. Born 1947-07-19, Leningrad.

Kouzmine served as President of Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University Bremen) from March 2025, replaced by Nobel laureate Konstantin Novoselov in Feb 2026. Constructor University is owned by Serg Bell (Beloussov) through Constructor Group/SIT which acquired 66.68% majority stake. Also listed as Managing Director and Chief of President Administration. Confirms deep ongoing business relationship between Kouzmine and Beloussov beyond QWAVE.

Full identity: PhD in nuclear physics from Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (Novosibirsk, Siberia), MBA from University of Chicago Booth. MS in physics from Novosibirsk State University. Founded and scaled businesses including Ritzio Entertainment (CEO, grew from 40M to 1.25B revenue 2002-2006), Fintech Ventures Fund (co-founded with Boyko), QWave Capital (co-founded with Beloussov 2012), Animaccord Animation Studio. Based in Pompano Beach/Atlanta. LinkedIn: skouzmine.

Kouzmine (Kuzmin): principal target of Spain Operation Troika, economic brain of Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya troika, escaped arrest, tried in absentia, simultaneously maintains VC/university career

Serguei Kouzmine (Sergey Kuzmin) was one of three principal targets of Spain's Operation Troika (2008). Described as the 'economic expertise' of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya troika. First arrested Sep 5, 1992 with Malyshev and Petrov. Escaped arrest in Spain 2008. International arrest warrant issued. Simultaneously maintains legitimate career as nuclear physicist, VC (QWave Capital, Fintech Ventures Fund), founding bank investor (Affinity Bank GA), former CEO of Ritzio Entertainment Group, and was President of Constructor University Bremen until Feb 2026.

Current US-facing positions: Co-Founder/GP at Fintech Ventures Fund, President at IBS Development Corp (since 2008), Board Member at Groundfloor Finance Inc (since 2015), Board Member at Centice Corp (QWave portfolio). Previously: Non-Independent Director at IOU Financial (2016-2019), Board Member at Affinity Bank (Atlanta, GA), President at Russian Quantum Center, Faculty Member at Northwestern University. Senior Manager at Finstar Financial Group and Invest AG LLC. Located in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Kouzmine's dual identity confirmed: (1) Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya organized crime leader detained Sept 5, 1992 with Malyshev/Petrov group, tried in absentia in Spanish Operation Troika case, escaped arrest in Spain, lived in consecutive house numbers with Petrov/Gavrilenkov in Marbella; AND (2) PhD physicist from Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics, MBA from U of Chicago, QWave Capital co-founder, now President of Constructor University (Bremen). SEC Form D lists him as Director of Centice Corp alongside Frank Creer.

Kouzmine lived at La Reserva de Marbella urbanization in adjacent properties with Gennady Petrov and Viktor Gavrilenkov from 1996. His wife Svetlana was also charged. Domestic employees Olga Solovieva and Olena Boyko (and Leocadia Martin) assisted with economic activities. Associates Leonid Khazine, Kiril Yudashev, Olena Boyko, and Francisco Ocana Palma managed his corporate network spanning Spain, Panama, Liechtenstein, Liberia, and BVI.

Kouzmine's primary Marbella residence was at Calle Asmagui 156, Urbanizacion Rocio de Nagueles, owned through Vista Park S.A. (which was controlled by Panamanian entity Samos Real S.A.). Property acquired via transaction with Swiss company Bellezo A.G. for 1,021,720.58 EUR (nominally) but actual purchase price was 4,000,000 USD per mandate documents. Petrov, Kouzmine and Gavrilenkov initially lived on consecutive street numbers in a Marbella urbanization. Documents also reference purchases in 'La Reserva de Marbella' urbanization by Kouzmine, Gavrilenkov and Petrov.

Property at 3445 Stratford Rd #3902, Atlanta, GA 30308 held by 'Kouzmine Serguei V Revocable Trust' and 'Kouzmina Elena Revocable Trust'. Kouzmine has resided in Atlanta GA, Evanston IL, Grantville GA, and Chicago IL. Currently lists LinkedIn location as Kennesaw GA (near Atlanta). A second LinkedIn profile shows Pompano Beach FL. Atlanta is consistent with Affinity Bank involvement and GROUNDFLOOR headquarters.

Kouzmine holds PhD in nuclear physics from Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, conferred 1999), MS in physics from Novosibirsk State University, and MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Was faculty member at Northwestern University. Education timeline: Russian physics establishment -> Chicago MBA -> Western corporate boards. The Budker Institute is one of Russia's premier nuclear research institutions.

Tambovskaya crime leader Kouzmine was founding investor and board member of Affinity Bank (FDIC #57264, chartered 2002), integral to securing FDIC/state banking charters. Bank sold to Newton Federal in 2020 for $40.3M.

Serguei Kouzmine, identified by Spanish prosecutors as one of three leaders of the Tambovskaya-Malyshevskaya organized crime syndicate (Operation Troika, 2008), was arrested in 1992 with 30 members of Malyshev's criminal group. He settled in Marbella 1996 with Petrov and Gavrilenkov, formed companies across Spain, Panama, Liberia, BVI. Outstanding Spanish arrest warrant since 2008. Never tried (fled jurisdiction). His own profiles state he was 'integral to securing Affinity's FDIC/state banking charters' for what became a $250M-asset Georgia community bank. FDIC background checks should have included FBI fingerprint/name checks, ICE checks, FinCEN SAR searches, and Special Name Checks for foreign nationals. The bank operated under three names: United Commercial Bank (2002), Atlanta Business Bank (2004), Affinity Bank (2010). It was sold to Newton Federal Bank in January 2020.

Kouzmine was NOT on any Western sanctions list as of search date. OpenSanctions returned no match for 'Sergei Kuzmin' matching his DOB or profile (hits were for unrelated individuals). ICIJ offshore leaks database not checked (Neo4j not running). No FARA registration found. Despite documented Tambovskaya leadership role and Spanish arrest warrant, he operates freely in the US and Europe.

Neither the 488-page Spanish Troika indictment (D.P. 321/06, 2015) nor the 46-page NHC/TBCA report (March 2021) contain any reference to QWave, Quantum Wave, Centice, Nano-Meta, Beloussov, Acronis, Runa Capital, Finstar, Ritzio, or DFJ. The indictment predates most of these entities' formation. The Kouzmine corporate structure documented in these sources (1992-2008 timeframe) covers the earlier period of Kouzmine's activities in Spain and does not extend to his later technology venture investments.

All Kouzmine Panama entities use Padilla y Asociados as agent, NOT Midland Counselors

Sandronella Real (#347262), Kost de Inversiones (#369580), Samos Real (#375524), Banff Investments (#49604) all use PADILLA Y ASOCIADOS. None use Midland Counselors. Weakens direct Stepanov-as-architect hypothesis.