HOUSTON, Texas, July 29, 2026 — A final merits hearing has been scheduled for January 14, 2027, in an arbitration brought by Houston resident Youras Ziankovich against Wise US Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the international financial technology company formerly known as TransferWise.
The case, Youras Ziankovich v. Wise US Inc., AAA Case No. 01-26-0003-1278, concerns Wise’s restriction and subsequent closure of Ziankovich’s account, as well as the cancellation of his money transfers. Ziankovich alleges that Wise’s actions were based, at least in part, on his Belarusian national origin. Wise denies the allegations and has filed a counterclaim seeking attorneys’ fees and costs.
Arbitrator Jessica L. Crutcher established the case schedule during a preliminary management conference held before the American Arbitration Association on July 29. Ziankovich is representing himself. Wise is represented by outside counsel.
The final hearing will be conducted remotely beginning at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on January 14, 2027. It is expected to last one day, with approximately four hours allotted to each side for testimony, documentary evidence, legal argument, and cross-examination.
Although the hearing is several months away, the case will remain active throughout that period. The schedule provides time for the parties to obtain documents and written answers, identify witnesses, litigate any potentially case-dispositive issues, and prepare the evidentiary record that will be presented to the arbitrator.
Each side may serve up to 15 requests for production and 10 interrogatories. Discovery must be completed by September 14, 2026.
The arbitrator also established a briefing schedule for any proposed dispositive motions, which could resolve individual claims or potentially the entire case without the need to try every issue. Requests for permission to file such motions are due September 28, with responses due October 12 and replies due October 19.
Final witness lists are due December 30. Hearing exhibits must be submitted by January 8, and pre-hearing briefs are due January 11.
Attorneys Zachary D. Miller and Ian Joseph were admitted to represent Wise in the arbitration pro hac vice.
The dispute was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The federal court granted Wise’s request to enforce the arbitration provision in its customer agreement, requiring Ziankovich to pursue his claims before the AAA rather than through a public jury trial.
Ziankovich seeks monetary damages and other relief arising from the restriction and closure of his account and the cancellation of the transfers. The arbitrator is expected to issue a written scheduling order through the AAA. A final award must be issued within 30 days after the evidentiary record is formally closed.
About the case
Ziankovich contends that a major financial platform treated his lawful financial activity as suspicious because of its connection to Belarus and his Belarusian origin. The arbitration may test how broadly a private financial company may rely on internal compliance policies when restricting a U.S. customer’s access to financial services.