News: Zonda's CEO, Przemysław Kral, has revealed that the exchange's missing founder, Sylwester Suszek, held the keys to 4,500 BTC, currently valued at around $336 million. Suszek disappeared in March 2022 after meeting with a lawyer linked to organized crime. Kral maintains the company is solvent, despite a recent surge in withdrawal requests (over 25,000 around April 6th, compared to a typical 100,000 annually) triggered by media coverage and a Recoveris audit of hot wallets. The exchange, formerly BitBay, rebranded in 2021, a move Suszek's family claims was a hostile takeover. Polish authorities are investigating Suszek's disappearance as a potential case of foul play, and political figures have raised concerns about payments linked to Zonda. Kral has rejected claims of fund misappropriation and bankruptcy.
AI Analysis: The missing keys and the founder's disappearance create significant uncertainty around Zonda's ability to fulfill its obligations. The surge in withdrawals and regulatory scrutiny indicate a loss of confidence in the exchange, potentially leading to further instability and liquidity issues.
