Zonda: availability and the 2026 licence suspension
Zonda, also known as zondacrypto and formerly BitBay, is operating under a partial licence suspension. On 18 May 2026 the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) partially suspended the operating licence of its operator, BB Trade Estonia OÜ. As of February 2026 the platform cannot take on new clients or accept new deposits, although the FIU states that existing clients may withdraw assets.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Zonda, the exchange also known as zondacrypto and formerly BitBay, is in a difficult position. As of February 2026 the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has partially suspended the operating licence of its operator, BB Trade Estonia OÜ, after a withdrawal crisis. The order, which took effect on 18 May 2026, prohibits the platform from taking on new clients or accepting new deposits, while the FIU states that existing clients may still withdraw assets. Because the situation is unresolved, new users should not rely on the platform and should compare exchanges that are genuinely available in their country.
What Zonda is
Zonda is a crypto exchange that launched in 2014 as BitBay and later rebranded to Zonda, also using the name zondacrypto. It grew into one of the larger exchanges in Central and Eastern Europe, with a predominantly Polish customer base, while operating through an Estonian entity, BB Trade Estonia OÜ.
The platform offered spot trading of crypto against fiat and a range of account features. It is a custodial platform, which means it holds the assets in client accounts. As of February 2026 its situation is dominated by a liquidity and compliance crisis rather than by its product features.
During 2026 the platform halted withdrawals amid reported liquidity problems, drew the attention of Polish prosecutors over customer complaints, and then had its Estonian operating licence partially suspended. Given this, the page below focuses on the regulatory position rather than presenting Zonda as a platform to sign up with.
The licence suspension and what it means
- Partial suspension. On 18 May 2026 the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) partially suspended the operating licence of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, the operator of Zonda (as of February 2026).
- No new clients or deposits. Under the order, the operator is prohibited from entering into business relationships with new clients and from accepting additional assets, in fiat or crypto, from existing clients (as of February 2026).
- Existing withdrawals. The FIU has stated that the partial suspension does not affect the return or withdrawal of assets by existing clients. Reporting during the crisis described withdrawal difficulties, so the practical position may differ from the order (as of February 2026).
- Compliance window. Reporting indicates the FIU gave the operator a period of around 30 days to bring its operations into compliance or face full revocation. The outcome of that window was not yet clear at the time of this review (as of February 2026).
- Investigations. Polish prosecutors have been investigating after large numbers of customer complaints about access to funds. This is a developing legal matter (as of February 2026).
Each claim is stated as of 21 June 2026. This is a fast moving situation. Confirm the current position with the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and, in Poland, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) before acting, and seek professional help if you are affected.
Where Zonda is available
As of February 2026 Zonda is not available for new sign ups. The Estonian FIU's partial suspension prevents the operator from onboarding new clients or accepting new deposits anywhere it serves, and the platform's future is uncertain pending the compliance review and any further regulatory action.
Because of this, we do not point new users to Zonda. If you are looking to buy or hold crypto, compare exchanges that are genuinely available and operating normally in your country. If you are an existing Zonda customer, follow the official communications from the operator and the regulator, and seek professional advice if you cannot access your funds.
Zonda is not onboarding new clients, so this is not a recommendation to use it. If you are in Poland or elsewhere in Europe, compare the exchanges that are genuinely available and operating normally in your country.
Regulator and sources
The supervising authority for the operator is the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which issued the partial licence suspension. In Poland, where many customers are based, the financial regulator is the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), and Polish prosecutors have been involved in a criminal investigation.
- Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) statement on the partial suspension of the operating licence of BB Trade Estonia OÜ, May 2026.
- Public reporting on the Zondacrypto withdrawal crisis and licence suspension, 2026.
- Reporting on the Polish prosecutors' investigation into customer complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zonda still operating?
As of February 2026 Zonda is operating under a partial licence suspension. On 18 May 2026 the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) partially suspended the operating licence of its operator, BB Trade Estonia OÜ, which means the platform cannot take on new clients or accept new deposits, although existing clients are allowed to withdraw assets. The situation is developing, so confirm the current status before acting. This is information rather than advice.
Can I open a new Zonda account?
As of February 2026 no. Under the Estonian FIU's partial suspension order, BB Trade Estonia OÜ is prohibited from entering into business relationships with new clients and from accepting new fiat or crypto deposits. People looking to start should compare exchanges that are genuinely available in their country.
Is Zonda the same as BitBay?
Yes. Zonda, which also uses the name zondacrypto, was previously known as BitBay before a rebrand. It has been associated with a predominantly Polish customer base while operating through an Estonian entity. This is current as of February 2026.
Who regulates Zonda?
Zonda's operator, BB Trade Estonia OÜ, has operated under an Estonian licence supervised by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). In Poland, where many of its customers are based, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) is the financial regulator. This is current as of February 2026.
Can existing Zonda customers withdraw their funds?
The Estonian FIU has stated that its partial suspension does not affect the return or withdrawal of assets by existing clients. Reporting has also described withdrawal difficulties during the crisis, so the practical position may differ from the order. Confirm the current status directly and seek professional help if you are affected. This is information rather than advice and is current as of February 2026.
Rules change frequently and this case is moving fast. The licence suspension, any compliance outcome, and the related investigations can change at short notice. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the platform before you act, and seek professional help if your funds are affected.
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