Tusk Accuses Crypto Exchange of Russian-Linked Political Funding

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused a cryptocurrency exchange of using Russian-linked funds to support opposition politicians and obstruct government efforts to regulate digital assets, speaking in parliament on Friday ahead of a vote to override a presidential veto.

Tusk told lawmakers in the Sejm that Zondacrypto, a crypto platform operating in Poland, receives financing tied to Russian organized crime groups known as the Bratva and Russian security services. He claimed the firm sponsors political and social events that promote specific factions, including members of the former Law and Justice party and the far-right Confederation group. Tusk linked these activities to broader resistance against his government's proposed legislation, which aims to align Poland with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.

The accusations surfaced as parliament prepared to vote on overturning President Karol Nawrocki's second veto of the bill. Nawrocki, who won the presidency in June 2025, rejected the initial measure in December 2025 and a similar one in February 2026, arguing that the government's approach was flawed and could harm consumers and smaller...