Key Highlights
- Poland’s lower house passed the crypto bill again after a presidential veto.
- The law aims to implement EU MiCA rules but goes beyond baseline requirements.
- Industry groups warn the bill could drive crypto firms out of Poland.
Poland’s parliament has revived a long-contested crypto regulation bill, moving it one step closer to becoming law. On Thursday, the Sejm, the country’s lower house, passed the Crypto-Assets Market Act for a second time, sending the legislation to the Senate after overriding a previous presidential veto.
The proposal passed with 241 lawmakers in favor and 183 against, and the text was reintroduced without changes. Parliamentary officials confirmed on Friday that the bill has formally advanced to the upper chamber, restarting a debate that has already exposed deep political and industry divisions.
From veto to Senate review
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed an earlier version of the bill in December, arguing it could threaten civil freedoms, property rights, and state stability. Despite those objections, lawmakers chose to resend the same text, a move some described as a direct challenge to the president’s stance.
If the Senate approves the bill, it will return to Nawrocki’s desk. He could veto it again, leaving the legislation in limbo. Government officials suggest the chances of approval are higher this time, but the outcome remains uncertain.
What the bill is meant to do
The legislation is designed to align Poland with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which applies across the bloc from December 30, 2024. MiCA sets common standards, but member states must still create national licensing and supervision systems.
The bill designates the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) as the main regulator for crypto asset service providers. It introduces licensing, tight reporting, and bank-style supervision on crypto firms.
Industry backlash intensifies
Poland’s crypto sector has pushed back. Industry groups argue the bill goes beyond MiCA’s minimum requirements, adding higher compliance costs and tighter timelines. Smaller firms warn they may not survive the licensing burden.
One major point of contention is the shortened transition period. EU guidance gives existing providers breathing room, allowing them to operate under national rules until mid-2026. Poland’s draft cuts that timeline short, a move that critics warn could trigger legal fights and disrupt businesses still trying to adapt.
A market squeezed from both sides
Crypto adoption in Poland rose about 51% in 2025, but critics say the bill could stall growth and push firms toward other EU markets like Germany or the Netherlands.
Backers of the bill, including allies of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, frame it as a security measure. They point to money-laundering threats and the risk of hostile foreign actors abusing crypto rails to argue that tighter controls are necessary.
The fight in Warsaw also exposes a bigger EU fault line. MiCA was supposed to level the playing field, yet member states are already drifting apart, some easing into the rules, others, like Poland, pressing down harder.
For now, the bill’s advance signals determination from lawmakers, not consensus. With industry resistance and presidential skepticism still in play, Poland’s path to full MiCA implementation remains politically charged and far from settled.
Also read: Poland Fails to Override Veto on MiCA-Aligned Crypto Bill
