Chairman of Olympic Committee detained in Poland over crypto scandal

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-27Last updated on 2026-08-27

Abstract

The Chairman of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz, was detained in Warsaw in connection with a case involving the cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto. The detention was carried out on the order of the Katowice National Prosecutor's Office and the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime. Piesiewicz denies the allegations, claiming he never had accounts on the exchange or dealt in cryptocurrency, and links the detention to political persecution. He has led the Olympic Committee since 2023 and is also a parliamentarian for the Law and Justice party. The prosecutor's office initiated the case in April 2026 on grounds of fraud and money laundering amounting to approximately 350 million PLN (around €80 million). The investigation found the exchange was used to transfer funds abroad and cash out criminal proceeds, with clients unable to withdraw their assets. A total of 13 people are implicated, including the exchange's founder. Zondacrypto became the general sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee and team in October 2025, with a contract lasting until 2028. In April 2026, Piesiewicz stated the committee could not terminate the agreement without incurring unaffordable penalties. The investigation revealed Piesiewicz received expensive gifts from exchange representatives, including a €40,000 watch, as well as paid trips to Monaco and Bergamo.

Chairman of the Polish Olympic Committee Radosław Piesiewicz was detained in Warsaw in connection with the Zondacrypto cryptocurrency exchange, reports TVN television and Wirtualna Polska. The detention was carried out on the order of the National Prosecutor's Office of Katowice and the Central Cybercrime Bureau.

The committee chairman denies the charges and claims he never had accounts on the exchange and was not involved in cryptocurrency, linking the detention to political persecution. He has headed the Olympic Committee since 2023 and is simultaneously a member of parliament from the "Law and Justice" party.

The prosecutor's office opened a case in April 2026 on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to approximately 350 million złoty (about €80 million). The investigation found that the exchange was used to transfer funds abroad and cash out criminal proceeds, and clients faced an inability to withdraw their assets. A total of 13 people are involved in the case, including the exchange's founder.

In October 2025, Zondacrypto became the general sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee and the Olympic team, signing a contract until 2028. In April 2026, Mr. Piesiewicz stated that the committee could not terminate the agreement without penalties it was unable to pay. The investigation revealed that Piesiewicz received expensive gifts from representatives of the exchange, including a watch worth €40,000, as well as paid trips to Monaco and Bergamo.

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Related Questions

QWhy was the Chairman of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz, arrested?

AHe was arrested in Warsaw in connection with an investigation into the cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, concerning allegations of fraud and money laundering worth approximately 350 million złoty (about €80 million).

QWhat is the alleged connection between the Olympic Committee chairman and the Zondacrypto exchange?

AWhile Piesiewicz denies having accounts or dealing in cryptocurrency, the investigation found he received expensive gifts from exchange representatives, including a €40,000 watch, and all-expenses-paid trips to Monaco and Bergamo. Furthermore, Zondacrypto was the main sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee and team from October 2025.

QHow does Radosław Piesiewicz respond to the charges against him?

AHe denies all charges, claims he never had accounts on the exchange or engaged with cryptocurrency, and alleges that his arrest is a case of political persecution.

QWhat was the main activity Zondacrypto is accused of in the investigation?

AThe investigation determined that the exchange was used to transfer funds abroad, launder criminal proceeds, and that customers faced an inability to withdraw their assets.

QWhat is the sponsorship situation between Zondacrypto and the Polish Olympic Committee?

AZondacrypto became the general sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee and the Olympic team in October 2025, with a contract lasting until 2028. In April 2026, Piesiewicz stated the committee could not terminate the agreement without incurring unaffordable penalties.

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