Poland's largest cryptocurrency exchange may have fallen under the control of Russian criminals
According to Polish intelligence agencies, Zondacrypto, Poland’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, may be under the control of the so-called “Tambov” organized crime group.
This was reported by Gazeta Wyborcza.
According to the publication, documents from Poland’s Internal Security Agency indicate that control over the platform may have been established as early as July 2018, when it operated under the name BitBay and was in crisis.
Representatives of the group were likely involved in the process through a Polish intermediary, and the controlling stake ended up in entities registered in the United Arab Emirates.
The case also involves payments totaling tens of millions of euros made through a Polish businessman linked to the fuel sector.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk previously stated that there was a possible “Russian connection” in the exchange’s activities and suggested that it could have been used to finance destabilizing actions against NATO and the EU.
According to him, not only criminal organizations but also Russian intelligence agencies may have been involved in the company’s financial success. Additionally, he believes the platform may have supported certain political forces and social initiatives in Poland.
The situation surrounding Zondacrypto escalated after the exchange stopped processing customer withdrawals. Mass complaints began pouring in as early as December 2025.
It later emerged that the platform had no access to a crypto wallet containing approximately 4,500 bitcoins, valued at around $330 million.
Company CEO Przemysław Król stated that these assets confirm the exchange’s solvency, but acknowledged that the company does not control the wallet. According to him, the key to it remains with the former owner, Sylwester Suszek, who disappeared in 2022.
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