Polish prosecutors expand Zondacrypto probe to political funding and missing founder case

Investigation scope and political connections

Polish Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek announced on 25 August 2026 that the ongoing investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto has entered a new phase. The National Prosecutor's Office stated that prosecutors are securing digital and physical records, interrogating witnesses, and pressing charges against newly identified suspects. The prosecution published a specific list of political and institutional connections currently under verification for potential financial crimes. These include foundations associated with former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and lawmaker Przemysław Wipler, focusing on legislative lobbying over digital asset regulations. Investigators are also examining financial transactions involving Telewizja Republika head Tomasz Sakiewicz, conservative CPAC conferences, Polish Olympic Committee president Radosław Piesiewicz, and individuals who assisted fugitive former deputy justice minister Marcin Romanowski.

Legal defense and cooperation talks

Civic Coalition lawmaker and attorney Roman Giertych announced on Tuesday that he and attorney Jacek Dubois have served as legal counsel to Zondacrypto CEO Przemysław Kral since May 2026. Giertych stated that Kral has placed substantial assets at the disposal of law enforcement, which he argued should suffice to compensate all claimants who reported losses. Kral had previously resided in Monaco until April before traveling to other jurisdictions, including Israel. Prosecutors conducted multiple interrogation sessions with Kral in Dubai, Sicily, and Poland while discussing the terms of his legal cooperation under witness provisions. Giertych compared the evidentiary scope to earlier corruption proceedings, noting that extensive disclosures can lead to penalty reductions.

The evidence being gathered is very serious, as shown by the announcement, concerning the most serious and important people in the state.

Merged probes and missing founder

The financial inquiry began on 17 April 2026 under the Katowice Regional Prosecutor's Office following thousands of fraud complaints. On 3 August 2026, the National Prosecutor's Office consolidated the financial probe with the unresolved investigation into the disappearance of Sylwester Suszek. Suszek founded the exchange under the name BitBay before its corporate rebranding to Zondacrypto, and he disappeared on 10 March 2022 in Czeladź. The Silesian branch of the National Prosecutor's Office took control of both cases due to direct personal and evidentiary overlap regarding the company's early operations. Suszek's sister, Nicole Suszek, stated that families of the missing founder hope Kral's cooperation will resolve the circumstances surrounding her brother's disappearance.

I hope that the prosecution, taking advantage of the fact that Przemysław Kral decided to cooperate, will squeeze information out of him like a lemon about what happened to my brother.

Investor losses and recovery efforts

Client liabilities tied to the exchange collapse exceed 350 million PLN, leaving thousands of investors unable to recover their deposits from operator BB Trade Estonia. Legal counsel Robert Nogacki, who represents roughly 600 affected clients, cautioned that declarations regarding Kral's assets require formal inventory, foreign asset freezes, and court valuations before funds reach victims. Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro responded to the prosecution's findings by stating that Zondacrypto previously cooperated with state police, the Central Cybercrime Bureau, and the Ministry of Finance. The broader dispute also touches legislative efforts governing Polish cryptocurrency markets, which President Karol Nawrocki vetoed on three separate occasions.