Most-wanted Wirecard executive reportedly owns 'significant sums' of Bitcoin - Report

The former chief operating officer at disgraced payments firm Wirecard has reportedly brought "significant sums" of bitcoin following his escape from Germany, according to reporting by a leading German business newspaper Handelsblatt.

Jan Marsalek was a key figure behind the breakdown of Germany-based Wirecard, which has made headlines for filing for insolvency and allegations of improper accounting tied to billions of dollars that went missing from its balance sheet. 

As per German publication Handelsblatt, Marsalek has been missing for weeks and he "is said to have brought significant sums to Russia in the form of bitcoins from Dubai, where Wirecard had dubious operations" as per a translation of a Sunday evening report. The report says he is in Moscow under the supervision of Russian military. 

Marsalek’s fascination with cryptocurrencies has been documented, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. 

"Mr. Marsalek liked engaging in late-night discussions about cryptocurrencies and their ability to move money without a trace," a July report noted.