The Zondacrypto crisis - what we know about the situation at the crypto exchange
The Polish cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, until recently regarded as one of the largest platforms of its kind in the country, has been going through an unprecedented crisis since the beginning of April 2026. The company has suspended client withdrawals, and the arrears - according to estimates from people inside the organisation - may exceed PLN 500 million. That puts the case among the biggest financial scandals in Poland in recent years.
The company's CEO, Przemysław Kral, initially explained the situation as "technical problems” and announced a swift resumption of withdrawals. IT department employees publicly deny this version of events, claiming that no technical problems existed. The wallet containing 4,500 bitcoins mentioned by the CEO, which was supposed to serve as the company's financial security, also raises serious doubts - no one in the organisation has seen any evidence linking this wallet to Zondacrypto.
The situation is made worse by the fact that Mr Kral has become unreachable both for employees and for the media. He does not answer phone calls or reply to messages, and his presence on the internal Slack messenger is limited to an "available” status - without any interaction with the team. According to unofficial media reports, he has held an Israeli passport in addition to his Polish one for a year.
Mass redundancies and organisational chaos at Zondacrypto
In recent days the situation inside the company has escalated further. Employees have been cut off from internal systems and tools, which in practice makes any operational activity impossible, including processing client withdrawals. Managers have been instructed to terminate employment contracts and B2B contracts. The process is taking place amid chaos - many employees have not received the salaries due for previous months.
Accounts from people employed at Zondacrypto paint a picture of complete disorganisation:
- IT department employees did not receive their salaries for March, and some have been waiting for payment for several months.
- After employees handed in their notice, the HR department immediately required documents to be signed using a trusted profile (profil zaufany) - under threat of the non-compete clause continuing to apply.
- There is no longer anyone responsible for formally terminating contracts and collecting company equipment.
- Some employees refuse to return computers and phones until outstanding financial obligations are settled.
- The company's official communication channels, including its account on the X platform (formerly Twitter), have been silent for over a week.
It is worth noting that information has appeared in the Estonian tax service about tax arrears of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, the company that formally owns Zondacrypto. Although for now the amount is €1,112.12, the very fact of tax arrears may point to deepening financial problems across the entire corporate structure.
The rights of Zondacrypto clients - what legal steps to take
If you are a Zondacrypto client and cannot withdraw your funds, you should know that Polish and European law gives you specific tools of protection. However, it is crucial to act quickly and decisively, because in cases of this kind time works against the injured parties.
Reporting to the prosecutor's office
The prosecutor's office is already conducting proceedings in the Zondacrypto case, and the number of injured parties and the estimated amount of loss are steadily rising. Every client who has lost access to their funds should file a notification of a possible criminal offence - in particular misappropriation of property (Article 284 of the Polish Criminal Code) or fraud (Article 286 of the Criminal Code). Registering as an injured party gives you the opportunity to take an active part in the proceedings and to access the case file.
Pursuing claims through the civil courts
Regardless of the criminal proceedings, injured clients can pursue their claims through the civil courts. This includes a claim for payment against the company operating the exchange and, in justified cases, also a claim against members of the management board on the basis of personal liability provided for in commercial law. It is important to secure all evidence: transaction confirmations, correspondence with the exchange, screenshots from the user account and deposit history.
Securing claims
Where there is a justified concern that the debtor's assets may be disposed of or concealed, the court may, at the creditor's request, order security for the claim - for example by attaching the company's bank accounts. In light of the information about the CEO's foreign passports and the Estonian corporate structure, protective measures take on particular importance.
How to protect your interests - a practical guide
Cases involving collapsing cryptocurrency exchanges are complex in terms of both law and jurisdiction. Zondacrypto formally operates through the Estonian company BB Trade Estonia OÜ, which means that some proceedings may require international cooperation. Below we set out the key steps every injured client should take.
First, gather and secure all evidence - registration confirmations, deposits, transactions, email correspondence with customer support and screenshots documenting the account balance and the inability to withdraw. Second, file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office - ideally through a professional representative who will ensure the offence is properly classified in law. Third, consider joining a group of injured parties - acting together increases the chances of successfully pursuing claims and reduces individual legal costs.
It is worth remembering that the cryptocurrency market in Poland is subject to increasingly strict regulation, and the implementation of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation provides additional tools for investor protection. An experienced lawyer will help assess which rules apply to your individual situation and which litigation strategy offers the best chance of recovering lost funds.
Do not delay taking legal action. The sooner you seek professional help, the greater the chances of successfully securing and recovering your money. Contact our firm - we specialise in matters concerning the cryptocurrency market, financial fraud and the protection of investors' rights. An initial consultation will allow us to assess your situation and plan the next steps.
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