WhiteRock founder Ildar Ilham was arrested in the United Arab Emirates on July 3, 2025, for his alleged role in the ZKasino rug pull, which led to losses of around $30 million. UAE authorities confirmed plans to extradite Ilham to the Netherlands, where legal action against ZKasino participants is already underway.
A statement from UAE authorities read:
“The authorities of the UAE have informed the Netherlands that they have arrested a suspect in the context of an ongoing criminal investigation. The man was wanted internationally for involvement in large-scale fraud surrounding the alleged gambling platform ZKasino.”
Ilham’s arrest comes after growing evidence linking WhiteRock and ZKasino, both through on-chain activity and community investigations. Blockchain researcher ZachXBT previously reported wallet interactions and fund transfers between the two platforms, suggesting financial overlap.
ZKasino originally presented itself as a blockchain-based gambling platform. However, it shut down operations in 2024 after moving user deposits off-chain without explanation. Authorities opened fraud cases soon after.
WHITE Token Price Drops Over 30% After Ilham’s Arrest
The WHITE token, issued by WhiteRock, fell by over 30% after news of Ilham’s arrest. According to CoinGecko, the drop began within hours of the public announcement and continued throughout the day.
Users began posting on social media and forums, calling on MEXC and Gate.io to delist the WHITE token. Community members claim both platforms failed to vet the token before listing it.
As of now, neither MEXC nor Gate.io has issued a statement about the arrest or the future of WHITE on their exchanges. Trading volumes on both platforms have declined, with users withdrawing funds or converting to stablecoins.
The fall in WHITE price added to growing doubts around the project. Several on-chain wallets previously linked to ZKasino were also found to hold large amounts of WHITE, according to independent blockchain data.
WhiteRock Linked to ZKasino in Ongoing Fraud Case
The ZKasino rug pull has remained under investigation for over a year. In June 2025, ZachXBT published a series of posts connecting ZKasino to a network of addresses that interacted directly with WhiteRock contracts.
These findings supported earlier claims made in 2024 by users who had flagged suspicious activity between the two projects. At the time, no legal steps were taken. Today’s arrest signals cross-border coordination and renewed attention to blockchain crime.
Ilham’s extradition to the Netherlands is expected to bring him under the same jurisdiction as other ZKasino figures already facing charges. Dutch prosecutors have built a case involving fraud, mismanagement of investor funds, and misleading promotions.
Authorities have not released details about Ilham’s legal defense or the timeline for his extradition. However, the ongoing legal process may reveal more evidence about how WhiteRock and ZKasino worked together.