Polish Olympic Committee President Detained in Zondacrypto Fraud and Money-Laundering Investigation

Radosław Piesiewicz, head of the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), was detained on August 27 amid an expanding probe into suspected fraud and money laundering tied to crypto platform Zondacrypto. Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek confirmed the detention, intensifying scrutiny of one of Poland's most influential sports officials. Authorities opened the case on April 17, focusing on Zondacrypto's brief stint as PKOl's general sponsor. The company signed on in October 2025, touting token-based rewards for athletes. Within weeks, the platform effectively ceased operating, with customers reporting they could not withdraw funds and athletes saying the promised tokens had become essentially worthless. Investigators estimate customer losses may range from about 350 million zł to as much as 2.4 billion zł (around €540 million), a level that would rank among the largest crypto-related financial scandals in Central Europe. Thousands of customers have filed complaints. Prosecutors allege Piesiewicz personally received benefits linked to the Zondacrypto relationship beyond standard sponsorship practices. Items cited include a luxury watch valued at roughly €40,000, along with travel costs and match tickets. The alleged total benefit is put at 190,000–216,000 zł, or approximately €40,000–€45,000. Piesiewicz has denied wrongdoing, saying the watch was bought with his own funds and describing the accusations as politically motivated. He has also previously faced questions over alleged fake invoices worth around 9.3 million zł connected to earlier roles in sports institutions. Zondacrypto became PKOl's general sponsor on October 22, 2025, presenting itself as a bridge between crypto and athletic achievement, with athletes to receive tokens convertible into cash. The arrangement unraveled quickly, triggering calls for accountability. By April 2026, most of Poland's sports federations had demanded Piesiewicz's resignation; he refused, setting the stage for the high-profile detention.