Polish Parliament Fails to Override Crypto Bill Veto

Poland’s lower house, the Sejm, voted on a motion to overturn President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of the Crypto‑Asset Market Act. The initiative, backed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, fell short of the required majority, leaving the veto in place.

Vote Outcome

The Sejm recorded 241 votes in favor of overturning the veto, well below the 266 votes needed for a successful override. This marks the third unsuccessful attempt to reverse the president’s decision.

Implications for Crypto Operators

With the veto upheld, Polish cryptocurrency businesses must continue to seek registration in jurisdictions outside Poland to comply with the European Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) framework.

Background: Zondacrypto Scandal

The vote follows a high‑profile corruption probe linked to Zondacrypto, the country’s largest crypto exchange. Authorities allege the exchange misappropriated up to $94 million of customer funds, prompting investigations that have implicated several government officials, including the president of the Polish Olympic Committee.

Political Tensions

Prime Minister Tusk accused opposition members of colluding with Zondacrypto and facilitating the exchange’s influence within state institutions. The president’s repeated vetoes were justified by concerns over the act’s impact on citizens’ financial freedom and stability.