ACX Crypto Exchange Collapse: Regulatory Ban & Customer Losses

ACX Crypto Exchange Collapse: How Bosnia’s Promised Platform Became a Regulatory Ban Case

The rise and fall of ACX, a Bosnian crypto exchange that promised a financial revolution but ended in frozen customer funds, regulatory bans, and a founder exploiting his police background to evade accountability.

ValueDrive Post Editor Nov 2, 2026 2 min read

68 views

Introduction

The collapse of ACX, a Bosnian cryptocurrency exchange once hyped as the future of digital finance, reveals how a former police officer’s credibility became the foundation for a massive customer betrayal. What began as a promised new crypto era ended with frozen accounts, regulatory bans, and a trail of unanswered complaints.

What Happened

ACX launched with fanfare, backed by claims of a BAM 6.3 million American investment and institutional-grade security. Within months, regulators found the exchange unable to cooperate, tax authorities blocked accounts over a BAM 3,783 debt, and customers found themselves locked out. By August 2026, the Republika Srpska Securities Commission had banned the platform, citing repeated obstruction and anti-money-laundering failures.

Why This Matters

The ACX case exposes a dangerous accountability gap in Europe’s backyard. A crypto operator can lock customers out, ignore regulators, evade court process servers, and walk free—all while leveraging a police badge for perceived legitimacy. The scandal also reveals how media outlets amplified the founder’s image despite mounting evidence of fraud.

When institutions fail to act, victims are left to navigate a legal maze alone, and the public is left questioning who truly protects digital investors.

Key Takeaways

Founder Branko Petrović used his police background to build trust before the exchange collapsed
Regulators acted only after months of customer complaints, blocked accounts, and public pressure
A BAM 3,783 tax debt was the immediate trigger for freezing the exchange’s banking access
Customer funds remained trapped for months, with recovery requiring legal threats
Media outlets continued platforming Petrović even after his company was banned

Conclusion

The ACX story is a cautionary tale about the risks of unregulated crypto platforms and the ease with which personal credibility can be weaponized. Until regulators close the enforcement gaps and media outlets prioritize accountability over access, similar scandals will keep unfolding. For now, the victims remain waiting for returns that may never come.