Poland’s Crypto Law Stalemate Threatens EU MiCA Deadline

TL;DR: Poland’s crypto regulation is stalled as President Karol Nawrocki’s bill battles the government’s proposal, jeopardising the July 2026 EU MiCA deadline.

Context Poland must embed the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) rules into national law by 1 July 2026. The deadline requires all crypto service providers to secure licences before that date. A political showdown is now delaying any legislation.

Key Facts President Karol Nawrocki submitted a separate crypto‑regulation bill to the Sejm, the lower house, positioning it as an alternative to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Crypto‑Asset Market Act. Nawrocki has rejected the government’s draft twice, and a parliamentary attempt to override his veto was blocked by conservative and nationalist MPs. The presidential bill emphasizes consumer protection, effective state supervision and industry rights.

The government’s version, which Tusk says could be resubmitted this week, tightens penalties for platforms that mislead investors and expands the powers of the Financial Supervision Authority (KNF). Critics argue the KNF would gain excessive authority and that the bill would burden small firms.

The dispute intensified after the Zondacrypto platform froze customer withdrawals in early April due to liquidity problems, potentially affecting up to 30,000 Polish users. The incident has been used by the ruling camp to blame political gridlock for the crisis, while opposition figures claim the government’s approach fuels instability.

What It Means The deadlock leaves Poland’s crypto market without a clear regulatory framework as the MiCA deadline looms. Service providers face uncertainty about licensing requirements, and prolonged inaction could trigger further disruptions similar to the Zondacrypto fallout. Nawrocki is expected to veto any government bill that does not secure sufficient Sejm support, while the president’s own proposal still needs a majority.

Watch for a decisive vote in the Sejm and any renewed attempt by the government to override the presidential veto, both of which will shape Poland’s compliance with EU crypto rules.