Polish prosecutors charge fifth suspect in Zondacrypto collapse
Fifth suspect charged
Polish prosecutors have charged Roman Ż., a former business partner of Zondacrypto founder Sylwester Suszek, with two offenses, including fraud. The arrest adds to a series of charges linked to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange.
Key points
- Roman Ż. is the fifth person charged in the Zondacrypto investigation.
- The exchange, originally called BitBay, rebranded to Zondacrypto in 2021 and stopped trading in April 2026.
- Customers reported frozen or delayed withdrawals, with estimated losses of at least 350 million zlotys (about $94 million).
- Authorities have received more than 3,600 complaints from users.
- Four million euros in a bank account have been frozen.
Background on Zondacrypto
BitBay was founded in 2014 and grew to over one million registered users. In 2021 it was rebranded as Zondacrypto. In April 2026 the exchange halted trading after users complained that withdrawals were frozen or delayed. The platform also suspended Bitcoin deposits on 17 March, citing market volatility, and its website later went offline. Estonia’s financial intelligence unit partially suspended the license of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, the company behind the brand, preventing new asset deposits.
Details of the arrest
Roman Ż. was arrested in Poland’s Silesian region. His lawyer said he helped manage BitBay before it became Zondacrypto. Prosecutors have charged him with fraud and an additional, undisclosed offense. The police seized valuable watches and documents linked to the exchange during searches. Prosecutors fear he might flee after learning of a planned trip to China; his lawyer says the trip is for business and a return ticket for 13 September was booked. A court will decide whether he remains in custody.
Other related arrests
Earlier arrests include Radosław Piesiewicz, president of the Polish Olympic Committee, charged with paid protection and alleged favoritism toward a group of Zondacrypto creditors. Three other individuals—stock investor Rafał Z., Jaromira W., and Anna P.—were detained last week.
What remains unclear
The second charge against Roman Ż. has not been publicly detailed, and investigators have not yet disclosed the outcome of the frozen bank account. The investigation into the disappearance of Sylwester Suszek, who vanished in March 2022, is ongoing and has been merged with the Zondacrypto probe.
Why it matters
The case highlights the risk to users when a cryptocurrency exchange collapses, especially when large sums—estimated at $94 million—are lost. The high number of complaints and the freezing of assets show the scale of the issue and the authorities’ effort to hold those responsible accountable.
