Kuna (company)
| Company type | Public Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Financial Services, Cryptocurrency, Blockchain Technology |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Michael Chobanian |
| Headquarters | Kyiv , Ukraine |
| Website | kuna |
Kuna (Ukrainian: Куна) is the first Ukrainian and CIS cryptocurrency exchange.[1][2][3]
History
Kuna was founded in 2014 by Michael Chobanian as the first cryptocurrency exchange in Ukraine and the CIS region. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kuna became a major fundraising platform in Ukraine, reportedly accumulating over $100 million in cryptocurrency donations.[4]
Activities during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In February 2022, Kuna.io partnered with the Ministry of Digital Transformation and created a special dedicated Crypto Fund for Ukraine which accumulated over $100 million donations during the first 2 months of war with Russia.[5][6] Kuna's role in cryptocurrency fundraising was covered by TechCrunch,[1] The Washington Post,[7] Wired,[8] Forbes,[9] WSJ,[10] Fortune,[11] Atlantic Council[12] and other media.
Investigation and closure
The subject of a tax evasion investigation, in late January 2025 the company commenced an orderly shut-down[13] in the wake of an unannounced withdrawal of Internet connectivity to domestic customers ordered by the Shevchenkivsky District Court of Kyiv –this sanction was at the request of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BEB).[14] The corporate decision having been made not to contest the matter, Kuna wrapped up operations completely on April 30, 2025 and ceased to exist.[15][16]
References
- ^ a b "How Ukraine is spending crypto donations". TechCrunch. March 2, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Михайло Чобанян: МВС допомагало з піаром Kuna, а Нацбанк забезпечував попит". minfin.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ Pimentel, Benjamin (March 17, 2022). "Ukraine crypto leader: 'Blockchain will help rebuild my country'". Protocol. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ Emerson, Sarah. "A New Bill Aims To Prevent Sanctioned Russian Oligarchs From Hiding Their Assets Using Cryptocurrency". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ "Bitcoin to the rescue: Cryptocurrencies' role in Ukraine". Al Jazeera. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine asked for donations in crypto. Then things got weird". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ "Ukraine asked for donations in crypto. Then things got weird". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Volpicelli, Gian M. "War Is Calling Crypto's 'Neutrality' Into Question". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Ponciano, Jonathan. "Crypto Donations To Ukraine Top $52 Million As Funds Pour In From Bitcoin, Ether, PolkaDot And NFTs". Forbes. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Vigna, Paul (March 3, 2022). "How Bitcoin and a Crypto Exchange Became Part of Ukraine's War Effort". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Crypto's complicated role in Ukraine: 'literally saving lives' and helping oligarchs". Fortune. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Can crypto deliver aid amid war? Ukraine holds the answer". Atlantic Council. April 4, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ ""It's time to take your crypto". The founder of the oldest cryptocurrency exchange in Ukraine, Kuna, announced its closure". dev.ua.
- ^ "Ukraine's Oldest Crypto Exchange, Kuna, Shuts Down After Authorities' Sudden Ban". Ainvest.
- ^ "Українська криптобіржа Kuna припиняє свою діяльність — Forbes.ua". forbes.ua. January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Ukraine's Oldest Cryptocurrency Exchange KUNA Shuts Down After Court Ban".