Poland Pushes Forward with Crypto Law Despite Presidential Veto

TLDR

• Poland’s government reintroduces unchanged crypto law despite President Nawrocki’s veto, intensifying political tension.
• Prime Minister Tusk emphasizes national security, citing over 100 Russian-linked entities in Poland’s crypto registry.
• President Nawrocki rejects the bill, citing civil liberty concerns and claims the law exceeds EU requirements.
• The bill proposes MiCA-style regulations, including licensing for crypto service providers and anti-money laundering controls.
• Critics warn the law could harm Poland’s crypto sector, leading to the loss of tax revenue and talent due to strict regulations.

Poland’s government has moved forward with a controversial crypto law despite President Karol Nawrocki’s veto. The government reintroduced the unchanged bill, escalating a standoff between the president and lawmakers. Prime Minister Donald Tusk argued that the law is crucial for national security, citing threats from Russian-linked entities within the crypto market.

Prime Minister Tusk Cites National Security in Crypto Law Push

As per the local report, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the urgency of regulating the crypto market due to national security concerns. He pointed to the presence of over 100 entities linked to Russia, Belarus, and former Soviet states in Poland’s crypto registry. “Cryptocurrencies are being used as tools for sabotage,” Tusk said, stressing that Poland cannot afford to remain passive in the face of such threats.

Tusk highlighted that investigations revealed Russian intelligence and criminal groups were exploiting digital assets for covert operations. He also suggested that some individuals supporting the veto may have connections to these illicit activities. “We’re dealing with dangerous phenomena involving Russian money and the mafia,” he told the press after the failed veto override.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domański added that 20% of crypto clients face financial losses due to the unregulated market. He criticized the veto, accusing President Nawrocki of choosing “chaos” over regulation. The government maintains that establishing basic control over the crypto market is essential for ensuring national security.

President Nawrocki Sticks to Veto Despite Government’s Efforts

Despite the government’s push, President Karol Nawrocki has maintained his opposition to the bill. He rejected the original legislation, claiming it went beyond European Union requirements and infringed upon civil liberties. The president’s office expressed openness to regulation, provided future proposals avoid excessive restrictions.

Nawrocki’s chief of staff has indicated that they are willing to consider regulations if they do not overreach. However, Nawrocki has not signaled any intention to approve the current version of the bill. The government now hopes that additional security briefings may change the president’s position.

The crypto law would align with MiCA-style regulations, establishing licensing requirements for crypto service providers and investor protection standards. It would also implement anti-money laundering controls and grant the Polish Financial Supervision Authority significant oversight powers. Critics warn that the law could cripple Poland’s growing crypto sector, which serves an estimated three million users.

Uncertainty Surrounds Poland’s Crypto Industry Amid Legal Disputes

Poland remains the last EU member state without national MiCA-style regulation, ahead of the July 2026 compliance deadline. Critics argue that the law’s stringent framework will push businesses out of Poland, causing a loss of tax revenue and talent. The government’s decision to reintroduce the unchanged bill has intensified uncertainty in the Polish crypto market.

Opposition figures have also criticized the bill’s lengthy licensing process, which averages 30 months. They point to neighboring countries that have implemented MiCA regulations with far shorter approval times. While the government insists that national security concerns justify the bill, critics remain concerned about its impact on the local crypto industry.

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