BitRiver Founder Faces Bankruptcy Petition Filed by Bank Over Approximately RUB 773 Million in Debt

TechFlow reported on November 12, citing Russian business newspaper Kommersant, that Promsvyazbank (PSB) has filed a petition with the Arbitration Court of the Sverdlovsk Region to declare Igor Runets, founder of major cryptocurrency mining company BitRiver, bankrupt, involving approximately RUB 773 million in debt.

PSB Deputy Chairman Mikhail Dorofeev confirmed that Runets had provided personal guarantees for loans to BitRiver-B. After the borrowing company defaulted on overdue payments, the bank demanded that he assume joint and several repayment liability under the contract.

In addition, Runets was previously placed under house arrest by a court in February 2026 on suspicion of concealing funds or assets that could be used to recover tax liabilities. Recently, several companies under BitRiver have become involved in lawsuits, and some have entered bankruptcy observation proceedings.

Source: TechFlow