We have some work updates from our subject of interest, Ekaterina Kondratenko — also known as Katy, CryptoWitch, Crypto Mama, and god knows how many other aliases — who has recently developed a newfound passion for chess. This follows our ongoing series of articles in Russian and English chronicling her (mis)adventures.
Part 1
https://telegra.ph/Blokchejn-v-chetyre-ruki-Put-Kateriny-Kondratenko-ot-massazha-i-realiti-shou-do-BitNovosti–bonus-ot-RSH-CHast-1-06-24
Part 2
https://telegra.ph/Blokchejn-v-chetyre-ruki-Put-Kateriny-Kondratenko-ot-massazha-i-realiti-shou-do-BitNovosti–bonus-ot-RSH-CHast-2-06-24
Part 3
https://telegra.ph/Blokchejn-v-chetyre-ruki-Put-Kateriny-Kondratenko-ot-massazha-i-realiti-shou-do-BitNovosti–bonus-ot-RSH-CHast-33-06-24
and the most recent one in English:
Part 4:
https://telegra.ph/Ekaterina-Kondratenko—Scams-and-Lies-09-20
Katerina has been quite active recently with paid promotional PR on some local Dubai outlets in an attempt to boost her public image. Too bad those outlets don’t verify the veracity of her claims — but fear not, that’s why we’re here.
A New Job: Investor and Partnership Lead at SolStake.tv
Katerina finally appears to have a new job. After her improvised chess passion, she has found a new role as Investor and Partnership Lead at SolStake.tv, for which she even organised an event with her illegal chess club.
What Is SolStake.tv?
SolStake describes itself as a decentralised livestreaming protocol built on Solana. The platform claims to offer creators token-gated livestreams, instant payments, and protection from “deplatforming, demonetisation, and debanking.” They market themselves as “100% free speech and adult content friendly” — essentially a crypto-powered OnlyFans, with direct payments and tips for creators. Congratulations, Katerina, on becoming the first “streamer” on a new adult content platform.
The platform advertises “40+ confirmed creators” with “30M+ combined subscribers,” and touts launch names like ZIAS and No Jumper. The first problem is that most of these strong claims are self-referential. Their X account launched only in December, and their first message received suspiciously high engagement — a clear sign of artificially farmed accounts to boost social metrics. Not a great look for a platform that wants to become a social network while unable to build a legitimate audience of its own.
The site’s visible “LIVE 12.4K” / “5.2K” counters appear within the marketing mockup area, while the same site also states “LAUNCHING Q1 2026” — strongly suggesting those figures are illustrative rather than evidence of real traction. The company’s own press release also describes the platform as being in “beta stage,” making any large implied usage claims even less reliable unless separately documented.
Yet somehow, Katerina managed to livestream on the platform — despite it not yet existing — and apparently made money from it. Quite suspicious.
https://x.com/solstake_tv/status/2024883535102820378
The Founder: A Documented Criminal Past
The founder is publicly presented as Stephen Ronald Bell. His own website claims he is a “deca-millionaire,” that he survived prison, and built an eight-figure fortune. Public records and his own long-form autobiographical content are consistent in confirming a prison history, which he markets as part of his personal brand.More seriously, ABC News reported in 2016 that Stephen Ronald Bell, a former Townsville soldier, pleaded guilty in the District Court in Brisbane to 15 counts of supplying a dangerous drug. He also pleaded guilty to arson and fraud for setting fire to his vehicle and attempting to claim the insurance money in 2014. The then 30-year-old had been discharged from the Army in 2011 after nearly two years of service. In his late twenties, he assaulted a woman in Caloundra and urinated on her in public view. He escaped jail time on multiple occasions, aided by references including one from his sister, who was a serving police officer at the time.
Stephen Ronald Bell is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to various offences.
This is a real controversy, not gossip. It is directly relevant because SolStake.tv and Katerina are asking accredited investors to apply for a high-risk early-stage token/presale opportunity, selling a trust-sensitive mix of finance, media, adult content, and gambling. A founder with a documented criminal past involving drug supply is a material due diligence concern — regardless of whether he has since rebuilt his life.
There is also a reputational issue around Bell’s online persona. Publicly indexed social media and Telegram mirrors tied to his channels include highly inflammatory content: antisemitic language, racialised remarks, glorification of coercive or exploitative sexualised business models, and violent or dehumanising rhetoric. These mirrored repost sites are not treated as perfect records, but there is enough material to conclude that his online footprint is overtly provocative and potentially toxic for mainstream counterparties.
Several elements should make a careful investor sceptical:
- No verifiable company exits. Most legitimate crypto founders who became wealthy have traceable ventures or token launches.
- Wealth claims are self-reported. “Deca-millionaire” is used only in his own branding.
- Revenue appears tied to community monetisation. Crypto groups and token launches are common income sources in this ecosystem.
- Background in illegal activity. The drug supply and fraud convictions are real and documented.
Great work, Katerina, associating yourself with such a gem. The kind of gems you want in a “highly intellectual” members club.
Katerina’s Paid PR Claims — Fact-Checked
Katerina recently paid an Instagram page called “CEOs of Dubai” to be featured on their profile. No questions asked, no fact-checking. Let’s examine her claimed achievements.
Claim: Founder of Chess Arts Club — One of Dubai’s Largest Elite Networks
The reality: Chess Arts Club (CAC) is an illicit business copied from Ferz Chess Club and Win Chess Club. It has no trading licence and is not incorporated anywhere in Dubai. It has no members and runs sporadic events depending on available sponsorship. Some attendees have reported being asked to pay up to AED 1,000 to play a couple of chess games with no other benefits. Worse still, Katerina is reportedly luring men to attend her events by promising to introduce them to her Russian girlfriends in exchange for the “membership” fee. A business model that seems to align neatly with her new crypto OnlyFans venture.
Claim: Hosted Private Events with Magnus Carlsen
The reality: She did not host the event. It was hosted by MegaCampus to promote their upcoming event to their business community, held at Neera Members Club. Katerina helped by inviting some guests — that is all. And it was a single event, not multiple.
Claim: Career Spanning BitNews – Government – Mastercard – Entrepreneur
This alone deserves scrutiny. We have already documented how she promoted crypto fraud through BitNovosti in Russia, and how her sales and social media role at Mastercard lasted no more than three months before she was let go. As for the government job — there is no trace of it anywhere online. And calling herself an entrepreneur presupposes running an actual business. CAC is not a business: it has no members, generates no revenue, and holds no trading licence.
Claim: Featured in UAE Stories Magazine as a Top Dubai Influencer
Another paid promotion by a Dubai Instagram page, in which she was not featured as a top influencer. Her Instagram profile also displays a fabricated magazine cover, supposedly from a publication called “Entrepreneurial Arabia” — which appears to be a spoof of the real Entrepreneur magazine.
Conclusions
Clearly, Katerina is trying to find her footing in the world — but the problem is how she is going about it: fake PR, association with dubious projects, running an unlicensed business, and misrepresenting her past. The central question remains: how does she make a living? How does she pay for rent, expensive clothes, and jewellery? Who is financing her lifestyle?
We will keep investigating this continuing story of Dubai’s latest would-be con artist.