Poland’s president has vetoed a sweeping cryptocurrency regulation bill, arguing that the legislation would impose disproportionate restrictions on digital assets and “threaten the freedoms of Poles”. The move has ignited a sharp political confrontation in Warsaw, with lawmakers divided over how to balance consumer protection with innovation in one of central Europe’s fastest-growing tech sectors.
A surprise presidential intervention
President Andrzej Duda’s decision to block the bill surprised many in the ruling coalition, which had championed the legislation as a necessary step to tighten oversight of crypto transactions and combat financial crime. The proposed framework included extensive licensing rules, strict reporting obligations, and broad powers for regulators to freeze accounts linked to suspicious activity. Critics warned that the bill risked discouraging investment by placing Poland among the continent’s most restrictive crypto jurisdictions.
Concerns over civil liberties and innovation
In announcing the veto, Duda stated that the bill failed to strike a balance between security and personal freedoms, arguing that it risked “treating ordinary users as potential criminals”. He emphasised that emerging technologies should be regulated in a way that protects consumers while enabling Poland to remain a competitive hub for blockchain development. Industry groups welcomed the decision, warning that the bill’s provisions could have forced startups and exchanges to relocate abroad.
Political tensions rise
The veto has intensified political tensions between the presidency and parliament, with some lawmakers accusing Duda of undermining efforts to align Poland with EU-wide anti-money-laundering standards. Opposition parties, however, argued that the bill represented an overreach and that its rapid passage through the Sejm left too little room for public consultation. The government now faces the choice of reworking key elements of the legislation or attempting to override the veto—a step that would require a three-fifths parliamentary majority.
Uncertain path forward
The dispute arrives at a moment when European governments are tightening rules on digital assets in response to concerns about fraud, market instability, and illicit finance. While Poland remains committed to adopting stronger oversight under the EU’s MiCA framework, the collapse of the bill leaves regulators without a clear roadmap for domestic implementation. Analysts say that the next version of the legislation will need to incorporate stronger privacy safeguards and clearer definitions to win broad political support.
Newshub Editorial in Europe – 4 December 2025
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