On Monday, September 7, 2026, CoinDesk reported that Polish prosecutors have charged a fifth suspect, identified as Roman Ż., in a sweeping investigation into the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, formerly known as BitBay. Roman Ż., described as a former business partner of the missing founder Sylwester Suszek, faces two charges, including fraud.
The charges against Roman Ż. come as authorities intensify their probe into the exchange’s downfall, which left customers with estimated losses of at least 350 million zlotys, approximately $94 million.
Zondacrypto, founded in 2014 as BitBay and rebranded in 2021, had amassed over 1 million registered users before ceasing operations in April. The exchange experienced payment delays and suspended bitcoin deposits in late February and early March, citing market volatility, before its website became inaccessible. Estonia’s financial intelligence unit also took action, partially suspending the license of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, the entity behind the brand, preventing it from acquiring new assets.
Prosecutors have merged the Zondacrypto investigation with the inquiry into Suszek’s disappearance, which occurred in March 2022, several months after the rebrand. The circumstances surrounding BitBay’s creation and operation are being examined to shed light on Suszek’s whereabouts.
Roman Ż. was arrested on Saturday in Poland’s Silesian region. His lawyer, Błażej Gazda, stated that his client managed BitBay before its rebranding to Zonda and denied the charges.
Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention for Roman Ż., fearing he might flee the country, especially after learning of his plans to travel to China. Gazda clarified that the trip was for business and that his client held a return ticket for September 13. A court will determine whether Ż. should remain in custody during the ongoing investigation.
This arrest is the latest in a series of detentions related to the Zondacrypto probe. Previously, prosecutors charged Radosław Piesiewicz, the president of the Polish Olympic Committee, with alleged paid protection and favoring certain creditors as the exchange approached insolvency. Piesiewicz has also denied any wrongdoing.
In addition to Piesiewicz and Roman Ż., three other individuals, including stock investor Rafał Z., Jaromira W., and Anna P., were detained the previous week.
Police have seized valuable watches and documents connected to Zondacrypto during their searches. The investigation, which began with allegations of large-scale fraud and money laundering, had received over 3,600 complaints by June. The probe has been extended into next year, and local news outlets report that 4 million euros have been frozen in a bank account.
Source: CoinDesk
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