In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the intersection of cryptocurrency and sports represents a compelling frontier, driving innovation and building connections among diverse audiences. As digital asset adoption increases, crypto exchanges are actively seeking ways to demystify the cryptocurrency space while fostering trust among potential users. Zondacrypto, a pioneering crypto exchange, has taken a significant step by becoming the first crypto sponsor of Italy’s prestigious Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo cycling races. In this exclusive interview, Przemysław Kral, CEO of zondacrypto, shares the core principles guiding the company's mission, highlights the critical importance of security and compliance within the cryptocurrency sector, and discusses how education empowers users. Kral also explores the innovative $ZND token, the evolving landscape of decentralized finance (DeFi), and the transformative role of sports partnerships in fostering trust and engagement within the crypto community. As the world of cryptocurrencies continues to grow and evolve, understanding these dynamics is essential for both users and enthusiasts. Here’s an insightful look into the perspectives of zondacrypto CEO Przemysław Kral. --Ed.
What are the core principles of zondacrypto?
Education, security, and transactability are the core principles that drive our mission to democratize access to the world of cryptocurrency. A major obstacle the industry faces is the perception that cryptocurrencies are either a hoax or exclusively for those with established wealth or advanced tech experience. We challenge these barriers by ensuring that the products and services we develop are simple, intuitive, and built on robust networks, democratizing access to cryptocurrencies for users of diverse financial backgrounds and technological capacities.
Additionally, the value of tailored educational programs to support users’ cryptocurrency journeys should not be overlooked. Proactively investing in educational resources, such as the zondacrypto Academy, provides users with the tools to learn, understand, and apply their knowledge of the zondacrypto and wider crypto ecosystems, facilitating their DeFi journeys. Resources like these will not only reframe the belief that cryptocurrencies are high-risk scams but will also support widespread adoption by helping users trade and spend confidently from a position of strength and trust.
SECURITY AND TRUST
Security has always been a key concern for crypto users worldwide. What measures does zondacrypto employ to ensure user funds are protected from data breaches?
Zondacrypto supports over one million users across Europe, so security is always top of mind. To ensure the safety of our users and the integrity of our financial systems, we adhere to strict policies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. These policies are implemented through rigorous Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures that involve meticulously verifying user identities during onboarding and continuously monitoring transactions for suspicious activities or patterns. With these procedures, we create a safe and compliant environment that safeguards our users’ financial interests while contributing to broader efforts to combat financial crime.
How can crypto exchanges contribute to establishing and enforcing industry-wide security standards and best practices?
Recent events have taught us that treating security as a shared good and a collective responsibility is the only approach to ensure optimum security, not just for crypto entities but also for our customers. Internally, this involves a commitment to ongoing training and raising awareness. From a technological standpoint, ensuring robust wallet security and maintaining continuous system monitoring by employing highly qualified and well-trained personnel are essential. Regularly testing various security scenarios and integrating lessons learned into ongoing development is equally vital.
Just as we may compete for customers, pursue our marketing goals, or race to take advantage of new technological solutions, exchanges should also be open to sharing key insights and learnings that our counterparts can benefit from. This level of collaboration and transparency in shared experiences fosters a solid foundation of trust that will significantly benefit both existing and prospective users who require reassurance about the security of their assets. Only by committing to internal and cross-community collaboration can exchanges across the industry establish and enforce industry-wide security standards.
REGULATION AND COMPLIANCE
MiCA was fully implemented on January 1st, 2025. How are exchanges adapting to these changes, and what steps has zondacrypto taken to ensure full compliance?
With the introduction of MiCA at the start of 2025, exchanges across Europe are actively pursuing licenses to ensure compliance while maintaining operational efficacy. Exchanges have significantly increased investments into compliance infrastructures and legal expertise to meet stringent requirements related to capital reserves, risk management, and reporting, which benefit from greater reporting transparency. Many have also made the decision to delist non-compliant stablecoins as they strive to secure MiCA compliance.
Zondacrypto, under the regulation of the Estonia Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), maintains a steadfast commitment to regulatory compliance. This is evident in our meticulous AML, KYC, and Terrorism Financing (TF) procedures. Zondacrypto has also developed its native token, $ZND, which is the first fully MiCA-compliant token. This token underscores our proactive approach to navigating the regulatory landscape and ensuring that both our operations and innovations align with the highest standards of compliance.
ECOSYSTEM ROLE
What is the utility and purpose of the ZND token within zondacrypto’s ecosystem? How does it contribute to the exchange’s growth?
The ZND token, an integral part of the zondacrypto ecosystem, offers a wide range of uses to boost community engagement and maintain market stability. It can also be staked or farmed, opening doors to additional earning opportunities within the ecosystem.
The token contributes to the growth of the ecosystem by fostering a community built on a foundation of loyalty and trust through simplicity and intuition. Ownership of the token provides exclusive benefits, including discounts, bonuses, and reduced trading fees on the zondacrypto and ZND platforms—advantages that serve to promote active community collaboration, crypto adoption, and ecosystem growth.
With the rise of DeFi and blockchain applications, how does zondacrypto see its role changing within the broader ecosystem?
The rise of DeFi and blockchain applications is fundamentally reshaping the financial landscape, with exchanges recognizing the need to adapt and evolve. We see our role evolving into a highly intuitive and integrated platform that connects users to the full potential of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. This will be achieved through active community engagement and meaningful partnerships that bridge the gap between the novelty of cryptocurrency, the familiarity of events, and the loyalty people have to existing brands. With this approach, we can facilitate the smooth transition of users to the crypto space, leveraging their existing interests and brand loyalties with longer-term financial goals.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
The industry has seen an increase in sports partnerships, with zondacrypto having recently sponsored the Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo races in Italy, alongside appointing Formula 1 Reserve Driver Arthur Leclerc as an ambassador. How can sports partnerships help demystify the industry and build trust with different audiences?
For as long as we can remember, the drama and excitement that encompass sports have held a powerful appeal for the general public. Major sporting events such as the Olympics, World Cup, Formula 1, and the Super Bowl have the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers to unify audiences towards a shared goal—a mission that is not too dissimilar from that of digital assets.
With their massive audiences and widespread appeal, sporting events provide an unparalleled platform to introduce and educate broader audiences about crypto in a context that is familiar and exciting. Since 2021, there have been over 30 deals between football clubs and crypto firms. More recent partnerships include the NBA with Crypto.com, Coinbase with Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1, and our partnerships with Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo, and Arthur Leclerc.
The emotional connection and trust that fans have with their favorite sports and teams can create a powerful network of advocates who can help drive mainstream adoption and acceptance of crypto in communities that have traditionally been skeptical towards digital assets. This positive association paves the way for wider acceptance and integration of cryptocurrencies into the broader financial landscape. Especially since sports are all about emotions, and emotions release endorphins, which actually make it easier to learn about crypto.
