Orionx Shuts Down Over $7M Asset Shortfall

Chilean cryptocurrency exchange Orionx is permanently shutting down operations following the discovery of a customer asset shortfall exceeding $7 million. A forensic audit revealed that significant customer assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Polygon's POL token, were transferred to cryptocurrency wallets outside the exchange's control. In response to these findings, Orionx suspended customer withdrawals and initiated a formal closure and asset restitution process. The exchange has also filed criminal complaints with Chiles Public Prosecutors Office against two of its cofounders, Roberto Zibert and Joaquín Díaz, alleging transfers of assets between 2018 and 2021. Both Zibert and Díaz have denied any wrongdoing in connection with these allegations. Orionx has not yet explained how the transfers occurred or disclosed who currently controls the wallets holding the missing funds. The company stated that withdrawals remain suspended to prevent some customers from receiving funds before others, describing the freeze as temporary and directly linked to the restitution process.