Key Takeaways
- • AlphaQuest, a $2 billion quantitative hedge fund, filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Dutch foundation Stichting QSV Beheer and founder Nigol Koulajian over the fund's management and liquidation.
- • QSV seeks recovery of its $45 million investment, alleging that Koulajian lost control over trading operations and breached their investment agreement; AlphaQuest argues the terms do not entitle QSV to the preferential treatment being demanded.
- • The fund announced closure in February 2026 after three consecutive years of losses, including a 15.2% decline in 2025 that left performance approximately 30% below its October 2022 peak.
- • Wiet Pot, a former Goldman Sachs partner and co-chief executive of IMC Trading with an estimated net worth of €2.6 billion, is identified as QSV's investment adviser and is at the center of the dispute with Koulajian.
- • AlphaQuest characterized the litigation as a "tantrum by a billionaire," suggesting the lawsuit reflects Pot's attempts to extract funds beyond contractual entitlements rather than legitimate fund governance concerns.
Summary
AlphaQuest has moved to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it in New York court by Dutch foundation Stichting QSV Beheer and founder Nigol Koulajian, characterizing the litigation as an attempt by billionaire investor Wiet Pot to claim funds to which he is not contractually entitled. The fund, which managed approximately $2 billion before announcing its closure earlier in 2026, filed the dismissal motion on Monday, according to Bloomberg.
The lawsuit centers on QSV's $45 million investment in AlphaQuest and alleges that Koulajian lost operational control over aspects of the fund's trading operation while breaching the investment agreement governing the repayment of capital. QSV is represented by Pot, a former Goldman Sachs partner whose wealth was recently estimated by Dutch publication Quote at approximately €2.6 billion. Pot previously served as co-chief executive of market-making firm IMC Trading after working in European equities trading at Goldman Sachs.
In its filing, AlphaQuest argued that the terms of QSV's investment agreement do not provide the preferential treatment the foundation is seeking, and described the case as a "tantrum by a billionaire" following Koulajian's alleged refusal to meet Pot's demands. The fund's characterization suggests fundamental disagreement over contractual rights and obligations between the parties.
AlphaQuest announced in February 2026 that it would shut down following three consecutive years of losses. The fund declined 15.2% in 2025, leaving cumulative performance roughly 30% below its October 2022 peak. The fund's investment strategy relied on computer-driven quantitative models to trade futures across currencies, commodities, and equity and fixed-income indexes. The lawsuit's timing coincides with the fund's liquidation process, which appears to have triggered disputes over capital recovery and fund governance between key stakeholders.
The lawsuit centers on QSV's $45 million investment in AlphaQuest and alleges that Koulajian lost operational control over aspects of the fund's trading operation while breaching the investment agreement governing the repayment of capital. QSV is represented by Pot, a former Goldman Sachs partner whose wealth was recently estimated by Dutch publication Quote at approximately €2.6 billion. Pot previously served as co-chief executive of market-making firm IMC Trading after working in European equities trading at Goldman Sachs.
In its filing, AlphaQuest argued that the terms of QSV's investment agreement do not provide the preferential treatment the foundation is seeking, and described the case as a "tantrum by a billionaire" following Koulajian's alleged refusal to meet Pot's demands. The fund's characterization suggests fundamental disagreement over contractual rights and obligations between the parties.
AlphaQuest announced in February 2026 that it would shut down following three consecutive years of losses. The fund declined 15.2% in 2025, leaving cumulative performance roughly 30% below its October 2022 peak. The fund's investment strategy relied on computer-driven quantitative models to trade futures across currencies, commodities, and equity and fixed-income indexes. The lawsuit's timing coincides with the fund's liquidation process, which appears to have triggered disputes over capital recovery and fund governance between key stakeholders.
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