A prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space, Vladimir Smerkis, who held roles at both the Binance crypto exchange (formerly heading its CIS region) and the emerging crypto service Blum, has reportedly been taken into custody by authorities in Moscow. The arrest is linked to accusations of fraud concerning digital assets.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
The decision to detain Smerkis was issued earlier this week by the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow. While the arrest has been reported, specific details regarding the alleged fraudulent activities have not yet been officially disclosed to the public.
Blum's Response and Separation
Following the news of the arrest, the Blum platform, known for its involvement in the "Tap-to-Earn" trend within the mobile crypto gaming sector, issued a statement to clarify Smerkis's current status with the company. On May 17, 2025, Blum posted on their official X account:
We would like to inform our community that Vladimir Smerkis has stepped down from his role as CMO and is no longer involved in the development of the project or in any co-founder capacity. — Blum (@blumcrypto) May 17, 2025
The statement confirms that Vladimir Smerkis has resigned from his position as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and is no longer participating in the project's development or acting as a co-founder.
Context within the Market
Blum emerged onto the scene in March 2024, becoming part of the growing "Tap-to-Earn" movement. These mobile applications allow users to earn digital assets primarily through simple interactive tasks, often involving tapping the screen. The sector has seen significant user engagement. According to data from CoinGecko, the total market capitalization of Tap-to-Earn projects stood at approximately $537 million at the time of this report.
