{{Short description|Russian businessman}} {{ambox|issue=This article is '''written like an [[WP:SOAPBOX|advertisement]]'''. |fix=To meet Wikipedia's [[:Category:Wikipedia style guidelines|quality standards]] and comply with Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]] policy, it may require substantial [[Wikipedia:Cleanup|cleanup]].|type=content| date=September 2025}} {{COI|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Oleg Boyko | image = | native_name = Олег Бойко | native_name_lang = ru | birth_date = 28 September 1964 | birth_place = [[Moscow]], [[Russian SFSR]] | alma_mater = [[Moscow Aviation Institute|Moscow Aviation University]], Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration | occupation = Entrepreneur, investor }} '''Oleg Viktorovich Boyko''' ({{langx|ru|Олег Викторович Бойко}}; born 28 September 1964) an international [[investor]] and resides in [[Switzerland]], Chairman of Finstar Financial Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/oleg-boyko/|title=Oleg Boyko|lang=en|website=Forbes|access-date=2023-08-02}}</ref>
== Education == Oleg Boyko was born in [[Moscow]] in 1964 and educated at the [[Moscow Aviation Institute]] beginning in 1981, where he specialised in [[radio electronics]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/oleg-boyko/ |title=Oleg Boyko |author= |date= |work=Forbes |access-date=2020-11-22 |archive-date=18 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818055956/https://www.forbes.ru/rating/100-bogateishih-biznesmenov-rossii/2010/boiko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Бойко Олег Викторович |url=https://history.mai.ru/personalities/item.php?id=113438 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=history.mai.ru}}</ref> Boyko subsequently gained a [[Master of Business Administration]] from the [[Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration]].<ref name=":0" /> He worked at the [[Lomonosov Moscow State University]] between 1982 and 1986.<ref name=":0" />
== Career ==
=== Career start === Oleg Boyko has a diverse portfolio having successfully invested in multiple industries including [[financial services]], [[bank]]s, [[IT]], [[retail]], [[real estate]], [[entertainment]] and [[steel]]. From a young age, Boyko was interested in the financial sector and he began his career in the IT and finance sectors whilst he was a student. He is credited for introducing the first stores with credit card readers into [[Moscow]] in the 1990s.<ref name=":0" /> In 1988, he began selling used United States computers and computer accessories in the Soviet Union.<ref name=":0" />
=== National Credit Bank === In 1990, he established National Credit Bank ({{langx|ru|AКБ "Национальный кредит"}}) and served as its director until Boris Fedorov ({{langx|ru|Борис Федоров}}), took over the bank in autumn 1995 and was in charge of it until May 1996 before the collapse of the bank in September to November 1996.<ref name="Kommersant19961205">{{cite news |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/244408 |title=Слухи об отзыве лицензии у банка: Сумерки "Национальный кредит" |trans-title=Rumors about revoking the bank's license: Twilight "National Credit" |language=ru |work=[[Kommersant]] |date=5 December 1996 |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/245211 |title=Ситуация вокруг "Национального кредита": Чуда не произошло |trans-title=The situation around the "National Credit": No miracle happened |language=ru |work=[[Kommersant]] |date=19 December 1996 |access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> In 1995, Boyko was worth $1.5 billion.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
=== Finstar === In 1996, Boyko and a team of professional executives formed Finstar Financial Group as an investment vehicle and management company in order to identify, invest in, and actively manage businesses on behalf of Boyko and other private investors.<ref name="forbes343371">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/343371-milliarder-oleg-boyko-investiruet-v-finteh-150-mln |title= Миллиардер Олег Бойко инвестирует в финтех $150 млн |author=Анастасия Ляликова |trans-title= |language=ru |work=forbes.ru |date=2017-04-25 |access-date=2021-07-22}}</ref> As Finstar's Chairman, international investor Oleg Boyko has now directed Finstar to focus mainly on digital financial services and fintech industries.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fstech.co.uk/fst/Interview_FinStar_Financial_Group.php|title=Interview: Oleg Boyko, chairman, Finstar|first=Michelle|last=Stevens|website=FStech|date=24 July 2017 }}</ref> Among its non-core businesses, Finstar maintains a presence in real estate, entertainment and [[Fast-moving consumer goods|fast-moving consumer good]] (FMCG) retail.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finstar-enters-apac-with-usd-50mm-fintech-commitment-663830313.html|title=Finstar Enters APAC With USD 50mm Fintech Commitment|first=Finstar Financial|last=Group|website=www.prnewswire.com}}</ref>
=== Steel industry and EvrazHolding === In 1999, Boyko was a joint investor in [[EvrazHolding]] alongside [[Alexander Abramov]], combining three [[Steel mill|steel mills]] and thereby creating one of the world's largest [[vertically-integrated]] steel producers as a result. In 2004, Boyko sold his 25% stake in EvrazHolding for approximately $600 to $700 million prior to its listing on the [[London Stock Exchange]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/business/2013/05/21/when_investment_becomes_an_intellectual_game_26197.html|title=Russian billionaire Oleg Boyko invests in Scarlett Johansson|date=May 21, 2013|website=www.rbth.com}}</ref>
=== Entertainment and gambling ventures === In 2002, Boyko founded Ritzio Entertainment Group, investing in casinos and gaming, a business that expanded across Russia before going internationally. The company became the largest in [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/356123-klyuchevaya-stavka-kak-milliarder-oleg-boyko-sozdal-krupneyshuyu-v-evrope|title=Ключевая ставка: миллиардер Олег Бойко мечтает создать глобального финтех-лидера|trans-title=|language=ru |work=[[Forbes]] |date=2018-02-13 |access-date=}}</ref> The Russian business halted abruptly when [[Russian president]] [[Vladimir Putin]] banned [[Gambling in Russia|gambling]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.finstar.com/the-key-rate-billionaire-oleg-boyko-nurturing-plans-for-a-global-fintech-leader/ | title=The key rate: Billionaire Oleg Boyko nurturing plans for a global fintech leader | work=Finstar Financial Group - Finstar Financial Group | date=2 March 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2018-01-30/the-u-s-list-of-russian-oligarchs-is-a-disgrace |title=The U.S. List of Russian Oligarchs Is a Disgrace |author=Leonid Bershidsky |date=2018-01-30 |newspaper=bloomberg.com |access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> In 2010, Boyko became an investor in [[lottery]] businesses in Russia and Ukraine, including the national lottery to support the [[Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics|Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games]]. He has subsequently disposed of all his lottery interests.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160220235954/http://www.reuters.com/article/finstar-financial-group-idUSnBw065471a+100+BSW20150206 Reuters]</ref>
=== Banking and retail expansion === In 2003, Finstar purchased a controlling stake in a Latvian commercial bank, Baltic Trust Bank. By 2006, Baltic Trust Bank was ranked 13th amongst Latvia's 24 banks in terms of assets and had one of the largest branch networks, with 74 branches across Latvia. In 2006, Finstar sold its 79% stake to [[GE Capital]], the banking and finance arm of General Electric.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} In 2006 Boyko entered the real estate market through a new holding company, Finstroy.<ref name="auto" /> Also in 2006, under Boyko, Finstar acquired 75% of [[Rive Gauche]]. At the time it was a local business, with stores mainly in [[Saint Petersburg]]; but under Boyko, Rive Gauche grew to become Russia's second largest cosmetics and perfumery chain. In 2012, Boyko sold 51% of his stake to a consortium of investors but continues to hold 24% of the business.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
=== 4Finance and Native American partnership === In 2011, he invested the [[Riga, Latvia]] based 4Finance, a structure through which he has relationships with both the [[Fort Belknap Indian Reservation|Fort Belknap]] and [[Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa|Chippewa (Lac du Flambeau)]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] located in [[Montana]] and [[Wisconsin]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Odobescu |first1=Vlad |last2=Vella |first2=Matthew |last3=Pavlovs |first3=Sergejs |last4=Zgaga |first4=Blaz |url=https://theblacksea.eu/stories/the-boyko-report/ |title=The Boyko Report |work=blacksea.eu website |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217041740/https://theblacksea.eu/stories/the-boyko-report/}}</ref> In 2015 Boyko family trust reduced its stake in 4Finance from 75% to 49%<ref name="forbes343371" /> and in 2022 has completed its divestment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Семья миллиардера Олега Бойко продала долю в финтех-компании 4finance |url=https://www.forbes.ru/milliardery/462527-sem-a-milliardera-olega-bojko-prodala-dolu-v-finteh-kompanii-4finance |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Forbes.ru |date=14 April 2022 |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=4finance S.A.: 4finance announces completion of Vera Boiko's divestment |url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/4finance-4finance-announces-completion-vera-082943742.html |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=uk.finance.yahoo.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Film production === Boyko was involved in film production and served as a co-producer on [[Frank Miller]]'s ''[[Sin City: A Dame to Kill For]]'' in 2014, and is a co-producer in [[Scarlett Johansson]]'s forthcoming directorial debut for the film ''[[Summer Crossing]]'', which is based on a [[Truman Capote]] novel.<ref name="auto" />
== Business interests == Oleg Boyko's current focus is on the digital financial services, fintech and [[financial technology]] sectors,<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/15241/european-fintech-trends-adoption-and-investment|title=European Fintech: Trends, Adoption and Investment|date=April 11, 2018|website=Finextra Research}}</ref> strengthened by his extensive banking experience.<ref name="auto2"/> According to Boyko, the fintech industry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefintechtimes.com/european-fintech-trends-according-to-vc-investors/|title=European Fintech Trends According to VC Investors|first=Manisha|last=Patel|date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> is "the biggest blue ocean" in the business world, with products and services designed for individuals who do not have access to traditional financial services<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2018/04/europe-invests-in-fintech.html|title=Europe Invests in Fintech|date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> and those who are underserved by mainstream banks.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2018/10/millennials-create-wave-of-fintech-opportunities.html|title=Millennials Create Wave of Fintech Opportunities|date=October 16, 2018}}</ref> Boyko, therefore, continues to expand and strengthen his activities in technology-based, data-driven transformational [[financial services]] platforms and business alternatives to the conventional banking sector. Boyko is determined to take advantage of changes in global consumer behaviour, advances in technology and [[data science]], and harness the growing power and availability of [[mobile devices]], in order to offer an alternative banking<ref name="auto4"/> option to those consumers who do not have access to traditional financial services and banks.<ref name="auto1"/> Finstar's investment portfolio included, among others, Vivus Mexico, 4Finance, Spotcap,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/02/spotcap/|title=Rocket Internet's Spotcap Raises Further €31.5M To Lend To Small Businesses|date=2 February 2016 }}</ref> an online lending platform for SMEs, Prestamos Prima,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2016/02/81871-oleg-boykos-finstar-financial-acquires-51-of-p2p-lender-prestamos-prima/|title=Oleg Boyko's Finstar Financial Acquires 51% of P2P Lender Prestamos Prima|date=February 18, 2016|website=Crowdfund Insider}}</ref> an online consumer financial services provider, and Viventor,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.finsmes.com/2017/12/finstar-financial-group-to-strengthen-position-in-the-apac-fintech.html|title=Finstar Financial Group to Strengthen Position in the APAC Fintech|date=December 13, 2017}}</ref> a peer-to-peer lending platform. In 2017 Oleg Boyko announced his intention to invest $150 million into fintech businesses and in-house [[R&D]] within portfolio companies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.finextra.com/newsarticle/30855/finstar-commits-150m-to-fintech-investment|title=Finstar commits $150m to fintech investment|date=July 20, 2017|website=Finextra Research}}</ref> The first phase of a global fintech investment plan is under way with a commitment<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altfi.com/article/3868_russian_investor_outlines_first_phase_of_150m_fintech_investment_scheme|title=Russian investor outlines first phase of $150m fintech investment scheme|website=AltFi}}</ref> to invest up to $50 million in [[Asia-Pacific]]`s [[consumer lending]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
== Other == According to a [[:uk:Гордон (інтернет-видання)|Gordonua.com]] article from 2020, [[Otari Arshba]] ({{langx|ru|Отари Ионович Аршба}}) allegedly recruited Boyko into the [[KGB]] and, while Boyko was at the computer center of Moscow State University from 1982 to 1986, Boyko excelled as an KGB agent and was subsequently sent on business trips to Great Britain and the United States.<ref name=ArshbaGordonua>{{cite news |url=https://gordonua.com/ukr/publications/zapiski-kolishnogo-pidpolkovnika-kdb-agentura-vplivu-rosijskogo-glibinnogo-derzhavi-1513054.html |title=Записки колишнього підполковника КДБ: Агентура впливу російської "глибинної держави": Один з авторів книжки "КДБ грає в шахи" і колишній співробітник Комітету держбезпеки СРСР Володимир Попов нещодавно завершив роботу над своїми мемуарами. У книжці "Змова негідників. Записки колишнього підполковника КДБ" він розповідає про становлення режиму російського президента Володимира Путіна, його соратників, про свою роботу в комітеті та головні події, до яких були причетними радянські спецслужби. Раніше книжки не видавали. За згодою автора видання "ГОРДОН" ексклюзивно публікує розділи з неї. У цій частині Попов пише про агентів КДБ у бізнесі та на держслужбі.|language=uk |work=[[:uk:Гордон (інтернет-видання)|«ГОРДОН»]] (Gordonua.com) |date=12 August 2020 |access-date=17 July 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717200931/https://gordonua.com/ukr/publications/zapiski-kolishnogo-pidpolkovnika-kdb-agentura-vplivu-rosijskogo-glibinnogo-derzhavi-1513054.html}}</ref> However, in 2019, the Latvian court ruled that this information was false and defamatory to the individual.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
Boyko founded the Parasport foundation in 2006, during the [[Paralympic winter games|Paralympic Winter Games in Turin]]. The Foundation offers funding for Paralympic athletes to train and attend competitions and obtain physical and mental health care, and promotes equality for people with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160203005646/en/Parasport-Foundation-Celebrates-10th-Anniversary|title=The Parasport Foundation Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary |date=February 3, 2016|publisher=Business Wire|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Recently the Foundation became the official partner of the Russian Paralympic Committee, and has established a presence in Asia. In 2016, Boyko co-hosted its 10th anniversary celebration with an event in Moscow, attended by Paralympic Committee representatives from 25 countries. Since 2006 Boyko has also been the Head of the Paralympic Movement Development Committee of the Russian Paralympic Committee. He was appointed to the [[IWAS|International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation]] (IWAS) Development Committee as a member in October 2015 following the successful funding by Parasport of the 2015 IWAS Games in Sochi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1030741/russia-finish-top-of-medals-table-as-iwas-world-games-conclude-in-sochi |title=Russia finish top of medals table as IWAS World Games conclude in Sochi |author=Michael Pavitt |date=2015-10-06 |publisher=insidethegames.biz |access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Oleg Boyko, through his Parasport Foundation, delivered targeted assistance to over 2,000 para-athletes representing 28 different sports across 35 regions of Russia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rsport.ria.ru/20200428/1570664930.html|title=ПКР передаст медицинские маски российским паралимпийцам |author= |date=2020-04-28|publisher=ria.ru|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> Same year, Oleg Boyko was among the invited attendees of the annual 2020 Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/why-social-responsibility-business-matters-now-more-ever-3028661 |title=Why Social Responsibility in Business Matters Now More Than Ever |author= |date=2020-08-14 |publisher=ibtimes.com |access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref>
In December 2021, Oleg Boyko pursued through the Moscow court an order for Google to remove the search results for a site that, he claims, contains misleading information.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.rbc.ru/business/15/12/2021/61b9e2a69a794727b4731b08?from=from_main_10 |title = Миллиардер Олег Бойко выиграл иск против Google |author = Мария Лисицына, Евгения Лебедева, Алена Прохоренко |language=ru |date = December 15, 2021 |publisher = RBC.ru |accessdate = February 18, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.finsmes.com/2021/12/international-businessman-oleg-boyko-emerges-victorious-in-court-over-google-llc.html |title = International Businessman Oleg Boyko Emerges Victorious In Court Over Google LLC |date = December 17, 2021 |publisher = Finsmes |accessdate = February 18, 2022 }}</ref>
Later Google filed an appeal against this decision. However, in August 2022, after reviewing the complaint, the [[Moscow City Court]] ruled that Google LLC should remove the links to sites previously found by the court to be untrustworthy from the search results for the plaintiff's surname and name.<ref>{{Cite web|lang=ru|url=https://news.myseldon.com/ru/news/index/271317282|title=Суд принял сторону бизнесмена Олега Бойко в споре с Google|website=news.myseldon.com|date=9 August 2022 |access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mos-gorsud.ru/mgs/services/cases/appeal-civil/details/ad642790-02bd-11ed-9a6b-7f29f413b9de?participants=%D0%91%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BA%D0%BE+%D0%9E.%D0%92|title=Информация по делу № 33-27498/2022|website=mos-gorsud.ru|access-date=2022-01-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|lang=ru|url=https://riafan.ru/23583440-sud_vstal_na_storonu_olega_boiko_v_hode_razbiratel_stv_v_google|title=Суд встал на сторону Олега Бойко в ходе разбирательств в Google|website=Федеральное агентство новостей No.1|access-date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
== Personal life == His father Boyko Viktor Denisovich ({{langx|ru|Виктор Денисович Бойко}}), CEO of NGO Vzlyot ({{langx|ru|НПО "Взлет"}}). Mother - Dochar Vera Pavlovna ({{langx|ru|Дочар Вера Павловна}}), senior researcher at the Institute of Medicinal Plants of the [[Russian Academy of Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=1995-03-14 |title=Oleg Viktorovich Boyko |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/104184 |access-date= |publisher=Kommersant}}</ref>
In 1996, Boyko suffered a [[spinal cord injury]]. As of 2016, he moved around using an [[mobility scooter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Тодорова |first=Полина |date=2016 |title=Кто есть кто: Олег Бойко |url=https://rb.ru/story/oleg-boyko/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=rb.ru |language=ru}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boyko, Oleg}} [[Category:Businesspeople from Moscow]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Russian billionaires]] [[Category:1964 births]]