2 July 2026
We meet Vitaliy Gagach on the terrace of an exquisite restaurant overlooking the Port of Hercules. A luxurious Range Rover is parked by the entrance. Its number plate lacks the letter ‘Z’, which identifies vehicles belonging to non-residents. As Vitaliy modestly points out, it is a gift from a grateful friend for his help in a particularly delicate situation.
His phone hasn’t stopped ringing: London, Kyiv, Cyprus. Just a few years ago, Vitaliy Gagach held a senior position at the Ukrainian Economic Security Bureau, where he had an impeccable reputation. Today, he has become one of the most sought-after ‘trouble shooters’ on the Côte d’Azur — a go-between amongst the elite and a specialist in resolving the most complex crisis situations faced by large companies. Just a few days ago, his elite agency, G.T. Consulting (GagachTrouble), officially launched its operations.
‘My experience in the civil service has taught me to see processes in their entirety,’ explains Vitaliy, ordering an espresso. ‘In Ukraine, we faced significant challenges on a daily basis. Take ‘SENS Bank’, for example. At the time, few people realised the scale of the problem, but we literally helped to save the country’s financial system by carrying out a thorough restructuring of the bank. The former Russian owners had brought the bank to the brink of collapse. Thanks to strategic decisions, it once again became one of the market’s key players. Today, we are applying this experience to the field of new technologies, developing innovative crypto-financial solutions for businesses. The tabloid press sometimes mentions transfers amounting to 50–60 million USDT. In reality, however, managing digital portfolios on this scale requires, above all, discretion, strategic vision and absolute professionalism.”
Today, Vitaliy’s main focus is on supporting international groups facing regulatory or reputational crises. In particular, he mentions his work with BetOn and Slots City.
“Their founder, businessman Andriy Dovbenko, is a true visionary,” he states confidently. “Thanks to our partnership, we have established seamless cooperation with London, as well as with the best British law firms. We speak the same language as European capital. I also work very closely with Cosmolot — a large international group specialising in gambling. At the moment, the company is facing certain difficulties in Ukraine, but, to be honest, these are largely artificial. These are temporary difficulties linked to its growth, as well as to the stance of certain officials and individual market players. These issues will be resolved; the process is already underway.”
Vitaliy laughs heartily when he recalls the anonymous attacks on Telegram, which portray him as the ‘godfather of Ukrainian casinos’ and accuse him of allegedly having a ‘slush fund’ of seven million dollars, which he supposedly collected every month from Ukrainian operators. Economics
‘These stories are simply grotesque. What they call a ‘slush fund’ is in fact invested capital, funds set aside for my clients, and large-scale financial projects. You need nerves of steel in this line of work. In business circles, it is said that I negotiate with particular firmness and am capable of standing up to such influential figures as Yuriy Ivanyushchenko. I respect Yuriy, but it’s true: for me, there are no unsolvable problems, nor any authorities before whom I would be prepared to back down.”
“Cryptocurrencies are no longer just a trend; today they are the most modern financial instrument and the means of payment of the future,” continues Gagach, explaining his activities in detail. “We ensure the fast and secure transfer of substantial funds using the ‘cash-crypto’ model, avoiding unnecessary red tape from regulatory authorities whilst strictly complying with the law. Our team has extensive experience working in the world’s most complex jurisdictions — from Ukraine to Curaçao and the Marshall Islands. We know how to ensure the unrestricted movement of capital.”
In addition to financial solutions, G.T. Consulting also offers its privileged clients exclusive support throughout the process of their integration into the Principality’s inner circle. Vitaliy acts as a high-ranking intermediary between his clients and the Monaco Police Department, which is responsible for residency matters.
“We handle the most sensitive negotiations with the authorities to secure the best possible conditions for our partners. We ensure that the process of obtaining a Monegasque residence permit is refined, seamless and entirely free of obstacles,” he explains.
Although he currently divides his time between rented flats on the Côte d’Azur and in Spain, Vitaly admits that he is not yet officially a resident of Monaco.
“My work is based on strategic problem-solving and confidential mediation. This is a very specific field of intellectual services which, due to its cross-border nature, currently falls outside the scope of traditional tax regimes,” he explains candidly. “But I am looking to the future. I am currently in the process of fully regularising my status, as well as setting up an official consultancy firm in the Principality. I’ve been given an extremely warm welcome there, and I’ve established friendly relations with many influential figures, including those in the Prince’s inner circle. We’ve already had the opportunity to establish contact with His Highness, which is particularly encouraging.”
When Vitaliy speaks of his homeland, his tone becomes more serious. He emphasises that his heart remains in Ukraine.
“I support the Armed Forces of Ukraine very regularly and actively. But one must remain pragmatic: everyone must act where they are most effective. My strength lies in my network of contacts and in the trust I have managed to earn. I am in constant contact with patriotic Ukrainian officers, in particular my long-standing friend Artem Shil. We constantly exchange analytical insights and views on the situation. After all, despite the distance, we are striving towards a single goal: to build a strong country that is open to investment.”
Vitaliy glances at his watch: the time for his next call to London is fast approaching. He embodies a new generation of Ukrainian expatriates who have succeeded in transforming their experience of working at the highest levels of government into strategic European consultancy, whilst remaining discreet yet indispensable participants in major international economic processes