The Sejm, Poland’s parliament, has failed to override President Nawrocki’s veto during a vote on September 4, 2026. Of the 442 lawmakers present in the chamber, the crypto bill garnered only 241 votes in favor against 198 opposed and 3 abstentions. That fell 25 votes short of the required three-fifths majority threshold of 266 votes needed to counter the presidential veto.
This third consecutive failure leaves Poland in an awkward position. The country is now the only European Union member state without a domestic crypto licensing framework.
The transition period for the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation officially concluded on July 1, 2026. Past that deadline, all crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) operating within the EU are required to secure licenses from either their home regulator or another member state. However, because the legislation has not been enacted by parliament, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) cannot issue MiCA authorizations at all.
Two Thousand Firms Trapped
The lack of a legal umbrella has dealt an immediate blow to industry participants on the ground. Around 2,000 crypto companies registered in Poland have now entered a regulatory dead zone. With domestic registration pathways cut off, most firms have begun exploring foreign jurisdictions to keep their operations running.
By comparison, neighboring countries have moved ahead. Germany now hosts 79 authorized CASPs. Other member states such as France, Malta, and Cyprus have also moved swiftly to secure their markets since earlier this year.
The impasse over Poland’s crypto framework is the result of a prolonged sequence of rejections. The first iteration of the bill was vetoed on December 1, 2025, and the Sejm’s override attempt failed four days later by a 243-192 vote. A similar pattern occurred earlier this year. A second draft was vetoed on February 12, 2026, followed by another failed parliamentary vote on April 17 with a 243 to 191 tally.
Website Blocking Powers Prove Major Obstacle
The core dispute centers on how far the KNF’s intervention powers should extend. The rejected draft outlined mandatory licensing requirements for all CASPs while granting the regulator authority to suspend transactions for up to 96 hours.
The draft also introduced fines and supervisory levies ranging from 0.4 to 0.5 percent of corporate revenue. The most contentious provision, however, was granting the KNF authority to block unauthorized crypto websites. President Nawrocki argued that the scope of these blocking powers was overly broad.
Poland is recognized as one of the most active retail crypto markets in the EU. While everyday transaction volumes persist, market participants must navigate the landscape without legal clarity from their own government.
For local firms, remaining options are severely restricted. Staying in Poland means operating without legitimate status under the MiCA framework, whereas relocating corporate registration to another European country demands additional capital and time.
Reported via crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
