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Poland Probes Zondacrypto Over Alleged Russian Crime Links and Missing Funds
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Polish cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, which has faced allegations of failing to return funds to investors, may have come under the control of Russia’s Tambov organized crime group, according to Gazeta Wyborcza on April 27, citing intelligence materials and government sources.
The report states that a classified note from Poland’s Internal Security Agency indicates the alleged takeover occurred in July 2018, when the platform—then operating under the name BitBay—was experiencing a severe crisis.
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According to the publication, the group gained influence through a Polish intermediary, while a controlling stake was formally transferred to three entities registered in the United Arab Emirates by BitBay co-founder Sylwester Suszek.
The intelligence documents reportedly reference payments amounting to tens of millions of euros made through the intermediary, described as a mid-level businessman with ties to the Tambov group in the fuel sector.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has previously pointed to a “Russian trace” in the case. He first raised the issue during a closed session of the Sejm on December 5, 2025, and later suggested that Zondacrypto could be used by Russia to finance sabotage and propaganda activities targeting NATO and the European Union.
According to Gazeta Wyborcha, on April 8, Tusk disclosed details of financial transfers allegedly made by Zondacrypto head Przemysław Kral to entities linked to Polish political figures. These included payments of 450,000 zloty (around $110,00) to accounts associated with allies of Zbigniew Ziobro from the Law and Justice party, as well as €70,000 (about $82,000) to structures connected to Przemysław Wipler of the Konfederacja party.
As reported by The Moscow Times, the exchange was plunged into crisis after it stopped processing client withdrawals, with complaints about delays mounting as early as December 2025.
Subsequently, it emerged that the platform had lost access to a cryptocurrency wallet holding around 4,500 bitcoins, valued at approximately $330 million. While CEO Przemysław Kral pointed to these funds as proof of the exchange’s solvency, he acknowledged that the company does not have control over the wallet.
Access to the wallet reportedly remains with Sylwester Suszek, who sold the business in 2021 and disappeared in March 2022. Kral has since left Poland and is believed to be residing in Israel.
Recently, Polish authorities have opened a judicial investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto over allegations that it helped finance the presidential campaign of Karol Nawrocki and maintained links to Russia.
Tthe inquiry is being carried out by Polish law enforcement and is examining possible illegal political financing, as well as the platform’s alleged connections to Russian entities.
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