Dadvan Yousuf (born April 9, 2000) is an Iraqi cryptocurrency investor and businessman whose early bitcoin investments made him the youngest self-made billionaire in Switzerland.[1] In November 2021, Yousuf was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.[2] Yousuf and his companies have been the subject of a number of investigations into financial impropriety.[3][4]
Dadvan Yousuf | |
---|---|
Born | Zakho, Kurdistan, Iraq | April 9, 2000
Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Bitcoin investor |
Years active | 2011–present |
Known for | Bitcoin activities, Youngest millionaire and billionaire in Switzerland, First Iraqi and Kurd to summit Mount Everest |
Early life
Yousuf was born in Zakho, Iraqi Kurdistan on April 9, 2000.[5] His father was part of the Peshmerga and fled the country to Switzerland before Yousuf was born.[6][7] Three years later his mother left the country, together with her three sons.[8] They arrived in Neuenburg, Switzerland, in 2003 where his father had relocated.[9] In 2004, the family was granted refugee status and moved to Ipsach.[10] Yousuf has five younger siblings who were born in Switzerland.[11] In his early years, he showed a interest in the field of finance, particularly on Bitcoin and international money transfers.[12]
Career
At the age of 11, Yousuf sold some of his toys to acquire funds to invest in Bitcoin.[13] With this initial investment, he purchased 10 Bitcoins at a price of €15 and continued to trade in the cryptocurrency.[14][6] In 2012, he acquired 1000 Bitcoins at a rate of €11,126.[15] In 2016, Yousuf invested in Ethereum, buying 16,000 units at a total cost of €134,000.[16] Yousuf became a multi-millionaire through his cryptocurrency trades,[5] and is considered the youngest Swiss self-made millionaire.[17][18]
In 2017 he started an apprenticeship at the Eidgenössische Hochschulinstitut für Berufsbildung in Zollikofen.[19] He finished his apprenticeship with a real estate company in Bern.[20] Around the same time, Yousuf claims, he developed a software for automated trades in cryptocurrencies, based on an algorithm analysing data and predicting fluctuations in the future.[13] The algorithm evaluates data stemming from technical analysis, social media, macroeconomics and public statements about cryptocurrencies.[21] Yousuf founded the Dohrnii Foundation to oversee the development of his cryptocurrency software and tokens in early 2021.[22]
Yousuf acquired the majority of Crowdlitoken,[23] a Liechtenstein startup focused on enabling real estate investments through digital shares in the form of tokens, in late 2021.[24] Crowdlitoken granted authorization from FINMA for the sale of tokens in Switzerland, establishing a hard cap of USD 205 million.[25][26][27] Shortly thereafter, Crowdlitoken began building its European real estate portfolio by purchasing its first property, a logistics and commercial site in Oensingen, Switzerland, valued at CHF 9.15 million. Following this acquisition, Yousuf became the Chief Executive Officer and joined the company's board of directors.[28] Under Yousuf's leadership, Crowdlitoken acquired another commercial property in Heimberg, Switzerland, valued at approximately CHF 5.65 million.[29][30] The company's portfolio doubled under Yousuf's leadership as CEO.[31]
In February 2022, several critical press articles scrutinized Yousuf's professional activities and credentials, alleging irregularities in transactions.[32] Subsequently, Yousuf filed a defamation complaint against two journalists from SRF Investigativ, a Swiss media outlet, in March 2022.[33] An article published by Weltwoche claimed that SRF journalists used questionable methods in their investigation of Yousuf, including allegations that one journalist posed as a neighbor to gather information from Yousuf's family.[34]
FC Schaffhausen received sponsorship at the Wefox-Arena from Yousuf in early 2022.[35] He published his autobiography on October 24, 2022.[36][37] In December of the same year, Yousuf was featured in the ARD documentary titled 'Money Maker', which explored his journey from a refugee child in Kurdistan to becoming a multimillionaire through cryptocurrency investments in Switzerland.[38][39]
Yousuf's involvements in cryptocurrency have drawn the attention of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority.[40] In May 2022, the Dohrnii Foundation was investigated for engaging in various regulated activities, including acting as a securities firm, without obtaining the required FINMA authorization.[41] He resigned as CEO in February 2023, and following enforcement proceedings by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, the Dohrnii Foundation was dissolved in June 2023.[42][43]
As of 2023 he is under criminal investigation by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Bern.[44]
Wealth
According to a tax declaration filed in 2020, Yousuf's taxable assets in cryptocurrencies were reported at 189 million Swiss francs, indicating an estimated net worth of 270 million Swiss francs.[45] The document also revealed that Yousuf owned 416,000 Ethereum coins, which, at the current exchange rate of 3,090 francs per coin, would be valued at approximately 1.26 billion Swiss francs.[1]
Personal life
On 20 May 2024 Yousuf became the first Iraqi and Kurdish man to reach the summit of Mount Everest.[46][47] During his climb, Yousuf raised both a Bitcoin flag and a Kurdistan flag at the summit, highlighting these symbols at an elevation of 8,849 meters.[48] The climb, which took approximately 50 days, was intended to draw attention to global disparities in access to financial education.[49][50]
Books
- Yousuf, Dadvan (24 October 2022). Vom Flüchtling zum Bitcoin-Millionär (in German) (1. Auflage ed.). München: FinanzBuch Verlag. ISBN 978-3-95972-664-1. OCLC 1341273419.
References
- ^ a b Rossier (Fotos), Kilian Marti (Text) und Philippe (2022-01-17). "Dadvan Yousuf ist der jüngste Selfmade-Milliardär im Land". Blick (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2023-02-23.
- ^ "Dadvan Yousuf". Forbes (in German). 2021-11-23. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
- ^ swissinfo.ch/mga (2022-05-20). "Refugee 'crypto millionaire' faces Swiss money laundering probe". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
- ^ "Krypto-«King» - Strafuntersuchung gegen Dadvan Yousuf". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ a b Beglinger (Text), Martin (2021-07-07). "Kryptowährungen: Vom Flüchtlingskind zum Bitcoin-Millionär". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b Beglinger (text), Martin (2021-07-14). "Kurdish refugee buys bitcoins as child, is now multimillionaire". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "دبي توفر بيئة تشريعية وتنظيمية متطورة لاستقطاب منصات تداول الأصول الافتراضية العالمية". www.emaratalyoum.com (in Arabic). 2024-02-10. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "A 21 ans, l'ancien réfugié est devenu millionnaire grâce au Bitcoin". 24 heures (in French). 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Kryptowährung: Dadvan Yousuf ist 21 Jahre alt und Multimillionär". Aargauer Zeitung (in German). 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Svizzera, la favola di Dadvan, il giovane rifugiato curdo diventato milionario grazie ai Pokemon venduti a cambio di Bitcoin". la Repubblica (in Italian). 2021-04-18. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Investe in Bitcoin a 11 anni: storia di un milionario - Punto-Informatico.it". www.punto-informatico.it. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "La storia del bambino curdo diventato milionario grazie ai Pokemon venduti in cambio di Bitcoin". quoted business (in Italian). 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ a b "Er tauschte seine Spielsachen gegen Bitcoins". Der Bund (in German). 2021-04-02. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Vom Geflüchteten zum Multimillionär: die Geschichte von Dadvan Yousuf". www.fr.de (in German). 2022-01-15. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Ritter, Pascal (2021-11-08). "Dadvan Yousuf (21): Vom Flüchtlingskind zum Bitcoin-Millionär". Luzerner Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ ""Money Maker" – ARD-Doku über Bitcoin-Millionär Dadvan Yousuf". Prisma (in German). 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Ritter, Pascal (2021-11-08). "Dadvan Yousuf (21): Vom Flüchtlingskind zum Bitcoin-Millionär". Luzerner Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Schweizer, Oliver (2021-11-08). "Mit Bitcoin aus der Armut: «Ich bin eine wandelnde Provokation» – der jüngste Schweizer Selfmade-Millionär im Interview". Zofinger Tagblatt (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Dadvan Yousuf: Der Kryptomillionär über seine Autobiografie, die Finma und den Crash". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Ipsach". St. Galler Tagblatt (in German). 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Vom Flüchtling zum Bitcoin-Millionär". TeleZüri (in Swiss High German). 2021-08-23. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Der junge Kryptomillionär Dadvan Yousuf im Interview". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Maeder (mae), Ruedi (2021-11-18). "Crowdlitoken – Dadvan Yousuf wird aktiv, das FinTech nimmt wieder Fahrt auf". MoneyToday (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Krypto-Millionär steigt bei Crowdlitoken ein". finews.ch (in German). 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Startups, Bodensee (2019-09-30). "CROWDLITOKEN - erfolgreich in Immobilien investieren - BODENSEE STARTUPS". www.bodensee-startups.com (in German). Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- ^ Maeder (mae), Ruedi (2019-04-24). "Das Schweizer FinTech Crowdlitoken mischt aus Liechtenstein den europäischen Immobilienmarkt auf". MoneyToday (in German). Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- ^ "Tokenisierung: Die Immobilie kommt auf die Blockchain". finews.ch (in German). 2019-02-26. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- ^ Gr, Michael Schäfer, Werner; lehner (2021-11-11). "Krypto-Millionär Yousuf will Immobilienanlagen revolutionieren". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bitcoin Schweiz News (2021-11-19). "CROWDLITOKEN erwirbt mit neuen CEO Dadvan Yousuf Immobilie – Token-Verkauf gestartet".
- ^ moneycab (2021-11-15). "Crowdlitoken erwirbt mit neuen CEO Dadvan Yousuf Immobilie". Moneycab (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Maeder (mae), Ruedi (2021-11-18). "Crowdlitoken – Dadvan Yousuf wird aktiv, das FinTech nimmt wieder Fahrt auf". MoneyToday (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Krypto-«King» Dadvan Yousuf - Der Krypto-«Milliardär» und seine fragwürdigen Transaktionen". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Dadvan Yousuf: Strafanzeige gegen Autorinnen des Schweizer Fernsehens". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Falsche Nachbarin". Die Weltwoche (in German). 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Umstrittener Krypto-Unternehmer wirbt im FCS-Stadion | Schaffhauser Nachrichten". www.shn.ch (in German). 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Weill, Pierre (2022-08-15). "Dadvan Yousuf: Eine Biografie des Krypto-Investors". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Dadvan Yousuf: Der Kryptomillionär über seine Autobiografie, die Finma und den Crash". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ Money Maker: Folge 3: Dadvan Yousuf – Kryptomillionär mit 17 (S01/E03) - hier anschauen (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-26 – via www.ardmediathek.de.
- ^ KG, imfernsehen GmbH & Co (2023-03-26). Money Maker Staffel 1, Folge 3: Dadvan Yousuf – Krypto-Millionär mit 17 (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-26 – via www.fernsehserien.de.
- ^ Beglinger, Martin (2022-02-14). "Der Krypto-Zauberlehrling Yousuf wird von der Finma durchleuchtet". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). ISSN 0376-6829. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Dadvan Yousuf (21) – Finma untersucht Stiftung von «Krypto-Zauberlehrling»". 20 Minuten (in German). 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Vom Flüchtling zum Millionär: Die vom Kryptowunderkind Dadvan Yousuf gegründete Stiftung Dohrnii wird liquidiert". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Künftig nur noch Repräsentant: Bitcoin-Millionär Dadvan Yousuf legt Ämter bei Krypto-Bildungsplattform nieder". Handelszeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Geldwäscherei und Betrug: Ermittlungen gegen «Kryptomilliardär» Dadvan Yousuf gehen weiter". 20 Minuten (in German). 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
- ^ "dadvan yousuf ist der juengste selfmade milliardaer der schweiz". Blick.
- ^ "دادفان يوسف.. أول كردي يحقق إنجازاً تاريخياً بوصوله إلى قمة إيفرست" [Dadvan Youssef: the historic achievement of the first Kurd to reaching the summit of Everest]. Almasra (in Arabic). 25 May 2024.
- ^ "إنجاز تاريخي".. أول كوردي يعتلي أعلى قمة جبلية في العالم (صور)" [Historic achievement: the first Kurd to ascend the highest mountain peak in the world]. Shafaq news (in Arabic). 23 May 2024.
- ^ "Crypto Enthusiast Unfurls Bitcoin's Orange Flag Atop Mt. Everest". 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Криптоэнтузиаст поднял флаг биткоина на Эверест". ForkLog. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "Bitcoin Flag Raised at Mount Everest Summit – Bitbo". bitbo.io. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-07-26.