← Gurhan Kiziloz (BlockDAG Co-Founder)reviewed 2026-09-07 · 30 claims checked
Fact-check findings
What an automated fact-checker found when it re-read Gurhan Kiziloz (BlockDAG Co-Founder) against the sources the page cites. Only the most recent review is shown.
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These findings are produced by an automated reviewer, and its results vary between runs: the same page, checked three times on the same day, came back with 15%, 20% and 34% of its claims disputed, mostly because each run extracted a different number of claims. Treat what follows as leads, not rulings.
“Disputed” means the reviewer could not reconcile the claim with the evidence it cited. It does not mean the claim is false. “Unverifiable” means no reachable source settled it either way.
Nothing here changes the page on its own. A proposed correction is applied only after a human moderator approves it; until then the page reads as it did when reviewed.
disputed
1 claimThe reviewer could not reconcile the claim with the evidence it cited. This is a lead, not a ruling that the claim is false.
- #28[disputed][awaiting moderator]in the timeline
“2021-06”
reviewerLanistar's 2021 FCA-approval timeline entry is dated to the correct month.The event this timeline entry describes -- Lanistar securing FCA (EMD agent) approval -- was announced on or about May 4, 2021, roughly 5.5 months after the November 18, 2020 warning. The stored 'date' field of 2021-06 is a month too late; 'date_original' (2021-06-01) should be corrected alongside it for consistency. The section prose's qualitative claim ('within six months') remains true either way and needs no change.Proposed correction (not yet applied)2021-05
link rot
3 claimsA cited source no longer resolves or no longer says what the page attributes to it.
- #11[link rot][awaiting moderator]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“The UK High Court issued a winding-up order against Lanistar Limited on April 2, 2025.”
reviewerThe UK High Court issued a winding-up order against Lanistar Limited on April 2, 2025.The underlying fact (April 2, 2025 winding-up order) is true and independently verified via The Gazette, but the article cited in the section's source list does not cover that event at all -- it reports on an earlier October 2024 hearing. The citation should be replaced. The same mismatched URL also appears as the source for the corresponding timeline entry (see separate finding, same defect_group).Proposed correction (not yet applied)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4860749 - #29[link rot][awaiting moderator]in the timeline
“https://sifted.eu/articles/fca-lanistar-warning”
reviewerThe 2021 ASA ruling against Lanistar's 'world's most secure' claim is correctly sourced.The claim itself is true (see the corresponding sections[1] finding, confirmed), but the URL attached to this timeline entry covers a different, earlier event (the FCA warning) rather than the 2021 ASA ruling it is cited for.Proposed correction (not yet applied)https://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/lanistar-ltd-g21-1097347-lanistar-ltd.html - #30[link rot][awaiting moderator]in the timeline
“https://tech.eu/2024/10/21/lanistar-faces-liquidation-verdict-this-week/”
reviewerThe April 2, 2025 High Court winding-up order timeline entry is correctly sourced.Same underlying citation error as the sections[1] finding above (same defect_group) -- the date (April 2, 2025) is correct and independently verified, but the source URL attached does not cover that event.Proposed correction (not yet applied)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4860749
partially supported
1 claimThe cited evidence supports part of the claim but not all of it.
- #8[partially supported][awaiting moderator]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“The FCA warning was subsequently withdrawn after Lanistar updated its marketing materials and website; Lanistar later secured FCA approval within six months of the initial warning.”
reviewerThe FCA warning was withdrawn after marketing changes, and Lanistar secured FCA approval within six months of the initial warning.The underlying timeline (withdrawal, then approval within ~5.5 months) is accurate, but 'FCA approval' is commonly understood to overstate what was actually granted: Lanistar became an agent of an already-authorised firm (Modulr), not an independently FCA-regulated entity. This nuance is missing from the page, though it mirrors the framing used by the cited trade press.
confirmed
25 claimsThe cited evidence supports the claim as written.
- #1[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary
“Gurhan Kiziloz is a British-Turkish entrepreneur alleged to be the hidden co-founder of BlockDAG Network, a crypto presale project that claimed to raise up to $442 million but whose actual receipts appear materially lower based on on-chain analysis by investigator ZachXBT.”
reviewerKiziloz is alleged to be the hidden co-founder of BlockDAG, which claimed to raise up to $442 million while actual receipts appear materially lower per ZachXBT's on-chain analysis.Independently corroborated by DL News reporting and ZachXBT's original X posts. - #2[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary
“Kiziloz previously founded UK fintech Lanistar, which received a Financial Conduct Authority warning for unauthorised financial services activity in 2020 and was ordered into liquidation by the High Court in April 2025.”
reviewerKiziloz previously founded Lanistar, which received an FCA warning in 2020 and was ordered into liquidation by the High Court in April 2025.FCA warning date and liquidation date both independently verified. - #3[confirmed][no action needed]in the summary
“The Financial Services Authority of Seychelles issued a formal unauthorised-activity warning against BlockDAG's operating entity, DAG Systems Ltd., in March 2025, and no valid business registration for BlockDAG has been confirmed in Samoa despite the project's claims.”
reviewerFSA Seychelles issued a formal unauthorised-activity warning against DAG Systems Ltd. in March 2025, and no valid BlockDAG business registration has been confirmed in Samoa.Both the regulatory warning and the Samoa registration gap were fetched and confirmed word-for-word. - #4[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Identity and Background
“He founded the UK fintech company Lanistar in 2019 alongside Gursel Niyazi, targeting Gen Z consumers with a debit card product marketed heavily through Instagram influencers, including members of the UK reality television series Love Island.”
reviewerKiziloz founded Lanistar in 2019 alongside Gursel Niyazi, targeting Gen Z with an influencer-marketed debit card.Independent search corroborates founding year and marketing approach; some sources also identify Niyazi as Kiziloz's father, a relationship the page does not mention (not an error, but a coverage gap).citedkiziloz-exposed.com/ - #5[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Identity and Background
“A purported £15 million funding round with Milaya Capital, publicised at a £150 million valuation, was alleged by critics to have been replaced by loans from Kiziloz family members rather than external investors.”
reviewerA purported £15m Milaya Capital funding round at a £150m valuation was allegedly replaced by loans from Kiziloz family members.Independently corroborated.citedkiziloz-exposed.com/ - #6[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Identity and Background
“As of 2026, Kiziloz has claimed a personal net worth of $1.7 billion and Nexus annual revenue of $1.2 billion; these figures are unaudited and unverified by any independent third party.”
reviewerAs of 2026, Kiziloz has claimed a $1.7 billion personal net worth and $1.2 billion in Nexus annual revenue, unaudited and unverified.The page's framing of these figures as unaudited self-reported claims is accurate and appropriately hedged. - #7[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“Lanistar, the fintech company Kiziloz founded in 2019, received a public warning from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in November 2020 for offering financial services without authorisation.”
reviewerLanistar received a public FCA warning in November 2020 for offering financial services without authorisation.Confirmed against the FCA's own statement. - #9[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“In 2021, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Lanistar could not claim its card was the 'world's most secure.'”
reviewerIn 2021, the ASA ruled that Lanistar could not claim its card was the 'world's most secure.'Content of the claim is correct; see separate link_rot finding on the timeline entry's citation for this same event, which points to an unrelated article. - #10[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“Lanistar faced at least two winding-up petitions and a £370,000 employment tribunal claim from former CEO Jeremy Baber over alleged unpaid salary.”
reviewerLanistar faced at least two winding-up petitions and a £370,000 employment tribunal claim from former CEO Jeremy Baber over unpaid salary.Figure and petition count independently corroborated. - #12[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Lanistar: FCA Warning, Advertising Violations, and Liquidation
“Lanistar is also alleged by former marketing agency employees to have directed promotion of cryptocurrency tokens including Big Eyes Coin and Dogetti, which subsequently lost most or all of their value.”
reviewerLanistar is alleged by former marketing agency employees to have promoted cryptocurrency tokens including Big Eyes Coin and Dogetti, which subsequently lost most or all of their value.Allegation is corroborated by multiple secondary sources, though ultimate primary sourcing (named former employees) could not be independently verified.citedkiziloz-exposed.com/ - #13[confirmed][no action needed]in section: BlockDAG: Hidden Founder Allegations and ZachXBT Investigation
“BlockDAG Network launched its presale in December 2023, presenting Antony Turner as its founder and CEO beginning in July 2024.”
reviewerBlockDAG launched its presale in December 2023, presenting Antony Turner as founder/CEO beginning in July 2024.Both dates independently corroborated. - #14[confirmed][no action needed]in section: BlockDAG: Hidden Founder Allegations and ZachXBT Investigation
“ZachXBT published these allegations on X (formerly Twitter) on approximately October 28–29, 2025, hours before BlockDAG announced its planned 'Value Era' tokenomics event scheduled for October 30, 2025.”
reviewerZachXBT published allegations around October 28-29, 2025, hours before BlockDAG's planned October 30 'Value Era' event.Confirmed via multiple independently dated news reports. - #15[confirmed][no action needed]in section: BlockDAG: Hidden Founder Allegations and ZachXBT Investigation
“In response, BlockDAG allegedly blocked ZachXBT on X and hid his replies; mentions of Kiziloz's name were allegedly automatically deleted in BlockDAG's Telegram group.”
reviewerBlockDAG allegedly blocked ZachXBT on X and hid his replies; mentions of Kiziloz's name were allegedly auto-deleted in BlockDAG's Telegram group.Both sub-claims independently confirmed against ZachXBT's original posts. - #16[confirmed][no action needed]in section: BlockDAG: Hidden Founder Allegations and ZachXBT Investigation
“Kiziloz publicly acknowledged his role as founder in a December 29, 2025 AMA, shortly after Turner was dismissed, with BlockDAG citing NDA breaches as the reason for Turner's termination.”
reviewerKiziloz acknowledged his role as BlockDAG founder in a December 29, 2025 AMA, shortly after Turner was dismissed for alleged NDA breaches, with Van Den Bergh appointed CEO.Confirmed via direct fetch of the cited DL News article. - #17[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fund Commingling with Casino Operations
“In a separate investigation published in May 2026, ZachXBT alleged that at least $25 million in presale funds linked to BlockDAG Network and a second project, ZKP, were commingled and subsequently used to pay influencers promoting Kiziloz's casino venture, Spartans.com.”
reviewerZachXBT alleged at least $25 million in BlockDAG/ZKP presale funds were commingled and used to pay influencers promoting Spartans.com.Confirmed via multiple independent write-ups of the same ZachXBT thread. - #18[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fund Commingling with Casino Operations
“The DL News investigation published January 15, 2026, documented that at least $110 million in funds was sent to Binance and BTSE exchange accounts, approximately $7 million was traded through the Bridgers token-swapping protocol, and $5 million was deposited into the Mimic DeFi protocol.”
reviewerDL News (Jan 15, 2026) documented at least $110 million sent to Binance/BTSE, ~$7 million through Bridgers, and $5 million into Mimic DeFi.Confirmed via direct fetch of the primary source article; figures match exactly. - #19[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Alleged Fund Commingling with Casino Operations
“Kiziloz's personal spending around the same period was noted by multiple outlets: in August 2025, he held a reportedly $1 million-plus wedding at Lake Como, Italy, with an alleged $220,000 villa rental and a reportedly six-figure performance fee paid to Lebanese pop star Haifa Wehbe.”
reviewerIn August 2025, Kiziloz held a reportedly $1 million-plus wedding at Lake Como with an alleged $220,000 villa rental and a six-figure fee paid to Haifa Wehbe.Although sourced on the page only to a self-published site, all the specific figures were independently corroborated in mainstream regional press (Roya News, Harper's Bazaar Arabia, Al Bawaba).citedkiziloz-exposed.com/ - #20[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Regulatory Actions
“The FSA stated that the company 'does not presently have any authorisation for the issuance, having failed to submit an application to register the coin offering' under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2024.”
reviewerFSA Seychelles issued a formal warning on March 19, 2025 regarding DAG Systems Ltd., stating the company lacked authorisation for the coin offering.Exact quote verified against the regulator's own published notice. - #21[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Regulatory Actions
“Separately, BlockDAG subsequently claimed to have relocated its registration to Samoa; however, no record of the company's existence was found in the Samoa Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour business registry, according to the DL News investigation.”
reviewerBlockDAG claimed to have relocated its registration to Samoa, but no record of the company was found in the Samoa business registry; the Ministry did not respond to comment.Confirmed via direct fetch, matches almost verbatim. - #22[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Presale Operations and Investor Harm
“The publicly claimed fundraise figure ranged from $433 million to $442 million, but CEO Nic Van Den Bergh stated to DL News that approximately $200 million had actually been raised.”
reviewerThe publicly claimed fundraise ranged from $433-442 million, but CEO Nic Van Den Bergh told DL News approximately $200 million had actually been raised.Confirmed via direct fetch of the source article. - #23[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Presale Operations and Investor Harm
“Goldshell, a manufacturer party to a confirmed August 2025 agreement, had shipped only around 20 prototype units despite outstanding orders for approximately 4,800 machines representing roughly $5 million in unfulfilled commitments.”
reviewerUnder an August 2025 agreement, Goldshell had shipped only ~20 prototype units against outstanding orders for ~4,800 machines worth roughly $5 million.All figures match the primary source precisely. - #24[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Presale Operations and Investor Harm
“Sports sponsorship obligations also went unpaid: Borussia Dortmund issued a default notice in September 2024 for €2,007,444; Inter Milan issued a cease-and-desist for material breach in June 2025; and BWT Alpine F1 issued a $1.4 million breach notice in November 2025.”
reviewerSponsorship breaches: Borussia Dortmund default notice for €2,007,444 (Sept 2024); Inter Milan cease-and-desist (June 2025); BWT Alpine F1 $1.4 million breach notice (Nov 2025).All three sponsorship figures and months verified against the primary source. Note: the Inter Milan dispute involved two related letters (a June 2025 breach notice and a follow-up August 2025 cease-and-desist after termination); the page's characterization is a reasonable summary of the June 2025 document DL News described as the cease-and-desist. - #25[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Token Price Collapse
“The token reached an all-time high of approximately $0.4005 on March 29, 2026, before collapsing approximately 99.9% to trade at roughly $0.00003864 by July 2026.”
reviewerBDAG reached an all-time high of ~$0.4005 on March 29, 2026, before collapsing ~99.9% to ~$0.00003864 by July 2026.Figures confirmed; the page's 'approximately 99.9%' is a slight understatement of the more precisely reported 99.99% decline, but within reasonable rounding for a qualitative claim. - #26[confirmed][no action needed]in section: Token Price Collapse
“the exchange rollout was limited to far fewer platforms than the 20 originally promised”
reviewerThe exchange rollout for BDAG was limited to far fewer platforms than the 20 originally promised.Confirmed via direct fetch of DL News, which gives the specific before/after numbers (20 promised, 5 delivered). - #27[confirmed][no action needed]in section: BlockDAG Response and Denials
“Following the DL News investigation, the project stated: 'BDAG continues to operate with full transparency, active development, and strong commitment to its community.'”
reviewerBlockDAG's post-investigation statement and CEO Van Den Bergh's quote declining comment are accurately reproduced.Both direct quotes in this section were verified word-for-word against the primary source.
How this fits together. The reviewer reads the published page and its cited sources and records one finding per claim. A human moderator decides whether each proposed correction is applied; those decisions, and the score changes they cause, appear in the audit log. Earlier review runs are not shown here; only the latest reflects the page as it stands.