Poland's Zondacrypto hit by CEO disappearances as Estonian regulator revokes parent's license

ME News reported on Aug. 23 (UTC+8) that Sylwester Suszek, founder of Polish crypto exchange Zondacrypto (formerly BitBay), has been missing since March 2022. Family members reportedly believe he may have been murdered. His successor, lawyer Przemyslaw Kral, has also been missing for four months, with only unconfirmed sightings cited in Israel, Botswana, Dubai and elsewhere. Kral had previously published videos aimed at calming clients, saying the firm held more than $330 million in Bitcoin. Industry sources said the wallet address he referenced has been inactive for nearly a decade, raising doubts about the claim. The report added that Suszek was the only person with access to the private keys. On June 29, Estonia's Financial Intelligence Unit revoked the license of BB Trade Estonia, Zondacrypto's parent company. The report said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has alleged the exchange has links to Russian intelligence, organized crime and right-wing politicians. Marian Wszolek, a business associate tied to Suszek's disappearance, has been charged by Polish prosecutors with participation in an organized crime group, money laundering and unlawful detention, and has since also vanished. Poland's Katowice Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into Zondacrypto's establishment and operations. (Source: Foresight News)