According to Radio Liberty, National Bank fined a crypto company half a billion GEL - a company from which National Bank Board member Nana Qeinishvili had demanded a share
According to Radio Liberty, the National Bank fined a crypto company half a billion GEL—a company from which National Bank Board member Nana Qeinishvili had demanded a share.
The media outlet reports that it has been preparing a journalistic investigation for two months regarding how Qeinishvili demanded a business stake in a crypto company regulated by the National Bank. According to Radio Liberty, the company's owner refused to relinquish the share, after which the National Bank imposed a fine of 572 million GEL.
Radio Liberty also notes that the investigation revealed that Qeinishvili and her family members own and manage profitable businesses regulated by the National Bank—activities prohibited by law for a high-ranking bank official.
Radio Liberty also obtained documents indicating that the National Bank and the State Security Service have been aware of the violations for at least several months.
According to a report published by Radio Liberty, a covert recording—in which a high-ranking National Bank official demands a business stake from representatives of the company "Bitexchange"—was made in 2024 in coordination with the State Security Service. "Bitexchange" handed the recording over to the Service, yet this has not led to any legal consequences so far. Meanwhile, the National Bank conducted an inspection of the company and fined "Bitexchange" half a billion GEL.
Radio Liberty sent inquiries to the aforementioned agencies on October 6. Although no direct responses were received within three days of sending the questions, the National Bank and the Chief Prosecutor's Office issued a statement announcing the launch of an investigation into the alleged involvement of Nana Keinishvili, a member of the National Bank's Governing Board, in illegal entrepreneurial activity. State agencies have not yet responded to specific questions regarding alleged acts of corruption involving Nana Qeinishvili, a key figure in a Radio Liberty investigation.
A comprehensive investigative article—detailing how Nana Qeinishvili, a member of the National Bank’s board, asked the owner of a major crypto-kiosk company for a share of the business in exchange for offering protection and assistance with expansion—will be published today, October 9. The article also features a covert audio recording of a conversation between the high-ranking National Bank official and the businessman—who was ultimately forced to leave the country—made in coordination with the State Security Service," reports Radio Liberty.
