Poland's parliament has again failed to override a presidential veto on a key cryptocurrency regulation bill, prolonging a political standoff over digital asset oversight. Lawmakers on Friday fell short of the 263 votes needed to overturn President Karol Nawrocki's veto.
The bill, supported by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, aimed to bring Poland into compliance with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). Poland remains the only EU member state without this framework.
President Nawrocki cited concerns over excessive regulation, limited transparency, and potential burdens on small businesses. Government officials, however, warn that the delay leaves investors exposed, with Finance Minister Andrzej Domański stating the absence of clear rules risks creating an "El Dorado for fraudsters."
This marks the second unsuccessful attempt by the government to pass the legislation, following a similar rejection in December. Despite the setbacks, lawmakers have reintroduced revised versions, though critics argue they remain largely unchanged.
The dispute has also involved Zonda, Poland's largest crypto exchange, accused by Tusk of having ties to illicit funding and Russian criminal networks. Zonda's CEO, Przemysław Kral, has denied these allegations, calling them "absurd" and harmful to the Polish innovation market.
Kral also stated he does not control access to a cryptocurrency wallet reportedly holding $330 million, which he claims was under the control of former CEO Sylwester Suszek before his disappearance in 2022.