Poland’s President Blocks Crypto Bill in Historic Government Clash

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki delivered a stunning blow to government regulators on December 1, 2025, by vetoing sweeping cryptocurrency legislation that would have imposed strict controls on digital asset markets.

The decision has sparked fierce political battles and left Poland as one of the few EU countries without proper crypto regulations.

Presidential Veto Cites Freedom Threats

President Nawrocki refused to sign the Crypto-Asset Market Act, stating its provisions “genuinely threaten the freedoms of Poles, their property, and the stability of the state,” according to official statements from his press office. The president’s main concern centered on a provision that would allow the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) to block cryptocurrency websites with “one click.”

The vetoed bill was designed to implement the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation across Poland. Under the proposed law, all crypto service providers – including exchanges, custody services, and token issuers – would need KNF licenses to operate legally in the country.

Nawrocki criticized the bill’s excessive length, noting it ran over 100 pages compared to much shorter implementations in neighboring countries like the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He argued this complexity would create an unfair business environment that drives companies abroad rather than supporting local innovation.

Source: @prezydentpl

“Overregulation is an easy way to drive companies to the Czech Republic, Lithuania or Malta, rather than create conditions for them to operate and pay taxes in Poland,” the president said in his statement.

Government Officials Fire Back

The governing coalition launched immediate criticism of the presidential veto. Finance Minister Andrzej Domański accused Nawrocki of creating “chaos” in the crypto market, warning that the decision strips protections from over one million Polish crypto investors.

“Already now 20% of clients are losing their money as a result of abuses in this market,” Domański wrote on social media platform X. He claimed the president had “chosen chaos” and must bear full responsibility for any negative consequences.

Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski echoed these concerns, suggesting the bill was necessary to protect Polish citizens from cryptocurrency risks. “When the bubble bursts and thousands of Poles lose their savings, at least they will know who to thank,” Sikorski argued.

The government emphasized that without national crypto legislation, Polish companies cannot apply for MiCA authorization – a requirement for operating across the European Union since December 30, 2024.

Crypto Community Celebrates Victory

The crypto industry welcomed the presidential veto as a major win for digital asset innovation. Sławomir Mentzen, a prominent crypto advocate and leader of the opposition Confederation party, praised the decision and said the bill would have “destroyed the Polish cryptocurrency market.” Mentzen had campaigned extensively against the legislation, arguing it contained excessive bureaucracy that would harm Poland’s growing fintech sector.

Tomasz Mentzen, a blockchain advocate, had previously highlighted concerns about KNF’s slow regulatory processes, noting the authority takes an average of 30 months to process applications.

Polish economist Krzysztof Piech defended the presidential decision, arguing that authorities cannot blame the president for their failure to pursue crypto scammers through existing legal channels.

EU Compliance Crisis Looms

The veto creates significant regulatory uncertainty for Poland within the European Union framework. MiCA regulations became fully effective across the EU on December 30, 2024, but Poland now lacks the national legislation needed to implement these rules properly.

This situation places Poland among the few EU member states that have failed to adapt their national laws to MiCA requirements within the specified deadlines. Countries like Germany, Malta, and the Netherlands have already established comprehensive frameworks that allow their crypto companies to operate across the entire EU market.

Without proper implementation, Polish crypto businesses face an uncertain future. They cannot obtain the Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licenses needed for EU-wide operations, potentially forcing them to relocate to other countries with established regulatory frameworks.

The Polish fintech ecosystem has grown rapidly in recent years, making the country an attractive destination for crypto businesses. However, this regulatory gap could undermine Poland’s competitive position in the European digital asset market.

Presidential Background and Campaign Promises

Nawrocki’s crypto-friendly stance stems from campaign promises made during his successful 2025 presidential election. The conservative historian and vocal Bitcoin supporter won 50.9% of the vote, running on a platform that emphasized economic freedom and innovation in digital assets.

During his campaign, Nawrocki repeatedly criticized “oppressive regulations” on cryptocurrencies and promised to protect citizens’ right to invest freely. “Poland must be a place where innovations are created, not regulations,” he stated in campaign materials.

The president ran as an independent candidate but received support from the right-wing Law and Justice party, which currently sits in opposition to the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

Nawrocki’s victory was influenced partly by support from crypto advocates like Sławomir Mentzen, who finished third in the first round of voting after campaigning on promises to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve for Poland.

The Road Ahead: Uncertain Regulatory Future

The vetoed bill now returns to Poland’s parliament, the Sejm, where legislators face three possible paths forward. The Sejm had already passed the bill in November 2025 before it went to the president for signature. Now legislators could attempt to override the veto with a three-fifths majority vote, though this appears unlikely given current political divisions. Alternatively, they could prepare a revised version addressing the president’s concerns about excessive regulation and website blocking powers.

The most probable scenario involves the government crafting new legislation that balances EU compliance requirements with the president’s demands for innovation-friendly policies. However, this process could take months, leaving Polish crypto companies in regulatory limbo.

Recent analysis suggests most entities in the Polish crypto market actually supported introducing some form of regulation to bring clarity and predictability to the industry. The challenge lies in creating rules that protect consumers without stifling innovation or driving businesses abroad.

Industry experts note that Poland’s delay could prompt crypto companies to relocate to other EU member states with established MiCA frameworks, potentially causing a brain drain from the Polish fintech sector.

Game-Changing Standoff

President Nawrocki’s veto represents more than just regulatory disagreement – it signals a fundamental clash over Poland’s digital future. While government officials warn of consumer risks and EU compliance issues, the president has chosen to prioritize innovation and economic freedom over strict oversight. This standoff will likely define Poland’s role in Europe’s evolving crypto landscape for years to come.