Poland’s parliament approves a stringent Crypto-Asset Market Act aligning with EU rules, but critics warn it may hamper innovation and drive crypto firms away amid severe licensing and penalty requirements.

Poland’s parliament has approved the Crypto-Asset Market Act (Bill 1424), imposing stringent licensing, compliance, and penalty requirements for crypto asset service providers (CASPs). The legislation aligns Poland’s regulations with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), designating the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego, KNF) as the primary regulator for exchanges, custody providers, and issuers. All crypto service providers operating in Poland, including foreign entities, will be required to obtain a KNF license within six months of the law’s enactment, submitting detailed information regarding their corporate structure, capital adequacy, compliance systems, risk management policies, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures. Failure to comply could result in fines up to 10 million zlotys (approximately $2.8 million) and prison sentences of up to two years, along with provisions for criminal liability and other administrative penalties.

The bill has generated intense debate, passing the lower house (Sejm) with a close vote of 230 in favor and 196 against, and now advancing to the Senate for review. Critics within Poland’s crypto community and among legislators argue that the law is the most restrictive in the EU, raising concerns that the rigorous licensing process and severe penalties could hinder innovation, deter investment, and potentially drive crypto firms away from Poland. Tomasz Mentzen, a blockchain advocate and politician, publicly warned that the new rules could threaten the future of blockchain technology and stablecoins in Poland. Janusz Kowalski, a member of the Sejm, stated on his X account that “this is the largest and most restrictive cryptocurrency law in the EU,” criticizing the bill as excessive regulation compared to other European countries. These concerns highlight worries about the practical burdens and legal risks imposed by the legislation.

Beyond licensing, the draft law outlines additional penalties. Providing crypto services without authorization could incur fines up to 5 million zlotys or imprisonment for up to five years. Violations of professional secrecy may lead to fines up to 1 million zlotys and prison terms of up to three years. The act also authorizes the public disclosure of violations and their removal from the Register of Virtual Currency Activities, signaling a tough regulatory stance taken by Polish authorities.

While the legislation closely follows the EU’s MiCA framework, several industry observers note that Poland’s approach intensifies enforcement and broadens liability beyond minimum EU standards. This has raised concerns that such measures may discourage innovation and investment, with some industry voices warning that the law could lead to a relocation of crypto businesses. The enhanced powers granted to the KNF, coupled with high compliance costs and legal uncertainty, may challenge Poland’s ambitions to establish a competitive crypto market in the region.

The Crypto-Asset Market Act marks a pivotal moment in Poland’s engagement with digital assets, as it seeks to balance regulatory oversight with market development. The final decision by the Senate will ultimately shape the country’s stance on cryptocurrency regulation and its integration within the broader European financial landscape.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

  • https://bitrss.com/poland-s-new-crypto-law-sets-tougher-rules-for-service-providers-132660 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
  • https://www.mexc.com/news/polands-crypto-asset-market-act-industry-concerns-grow/113386 - Poland's Sejm has approved the Crypto-Asset Market Act, introducing strict licensing requirements for crypto asset service providers (CASPs). The bill aligns with the EU's MiCA regulation and mandates that all CASPs, both domestic and foreign, obtain a license from Poland's financial supervision authority, KNF. Applicants must provide comprehensive details about their operations, including corporate structure and Anti-Money Laundering procedures. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 10 million zlotys or prison terms. Critics argue that the law's extensive requirements may harm Poland's cryptocurrency market and innovation.
  • https://coinmarketcap.com/academy/article/poland-crypto-bill-advances-amid-industry-concerns - Poland's Sejm has passed Bill 1424, establishing the Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego (KNF) as the primary regulator for the country's crypto asset market. The bill aligns Poland's framework with the EU's MiCA regulation, requiring all crypto asset service providers to obtain KNF licenses. The licensing regime demands detailed applications covering corporate structure, capital adequacy, internal controls, compliance systems, risk management policies, and Anti-Money Laundering procedures. Non-compliance could lead to fines up to 10 million zlotys and prison terms of up to two years. Critics argue that the implementation exceeds EU requirements in scope and severity.
  • https://www.mondaq.com/fin-tech/1551986/crypto-regulation-in-poland-current-status-and-future-prospects - Poland's draft Crypto-Assets Market Act introduces strict penalties for violations, including fines up to PLN 5,000,000 or imprisonment for up to five years for providing crypto services without a CASP license. Violations of professional secrecy may result in fines up to PLN 1,000,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. The act also imposes fines up to PLN 1,000,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for using terms indicating crypto-asset services without a CASP license. Non-compliance can lead to significant administrative and financial penalties, including public disclosure of violations and removal from the Register of Virtual Currency Activities.
  • https://www.dudkowiak.com/defense-military-law-in-poland/explosives-for-civil-use-in-poland-99/ - Poland's draft Crypto-Assets Market Act provides for penalties for entrepreneurs who provide crypto-asset services without a CASP license, including fines up to PLN 5,000,000 or imprisonment for up to five years. Violations of professional secrecy may result in fines up to PLN 1,000,000 or imprisonment for up to three years. Using terms indicating crypto-asset services without a CASP license can lead to fines up to PLN 1,000,000 or imprisonment for up to two years. The act also outlines penalties for other violations, including fines and imprisonment.
  • https://www.ainvest.com/news/poland-crypto-law-sparks-regulatory-innovation-battle-firms-warn-exodus-2509/ - Poland's lower house of parliament, the Sejm, has approved a contentious crypto law that significantly expands the powers of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) and introduces stringent penalties for violations. The legislation aligns with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework but has drawn sharp criticism for exceeding EU requirements and potentially stifling innovation in the sector. The law mandates that all crypto asset service providers (CASPs), including exchanges, issuers, and custody providers, obtain a license from the KNF to operate in Poland. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to 10 million zlotys (approximately $2.75 million) or prison sentences of up to two years.
  • https://cointelegraph.com/news/poland-parliament-passes-crypto-bill-criticism/ - Poland's lower house of parliament, the Sejm, voted in favor of a Crypto-Asset Market Act, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration. The bill introduces a licensing regime for crypto asset service providers (CASPs), aligning Poland's regulations with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) framework. The bill's passage has sparked a strong community response over its restrictive provisions, which introduce criminal liability for violations, including fines up to 10 million Polish zlotys ($2.8 million) and prison terms of up to two years.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ The narrative is current, with the latest publication date being October 3, 2025. The legislation was approved by the Sejm on September 26, 2025, and is awaiting Senate review. (markets.chroniclejournal.com)

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: ✅ The quotes from Tomasz Mentzen and Janusz Kowalski are consistent with their public statements. Mentzen's warning about the bill's impact on blockchain and stablecoins in Poland is reported in multiple sources. (markets.chroniclejournal.com) Kowalski's criticism of the bill as the EU's most restrictive cryptocurrency law is also corroborated. (markets.chroniclejournal.com)

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: ⚠️ The narrative originates from BitRss, a lesser-known platform. While it references reputable sources like the Sejm's official records and statements from KNF, the platform's credibility is not well-established. Cross-referencing with more established outlets is advisable.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: ✅ The claims align with known legislative processes and recent developments in Poland's crypto regulation. The Sejm's approval of the Crypto-Asset Market Act and the subsequent Senate review are well-documented. (markets.chroniclejournal.com) The concerns raised by industry figures about the bill's potential impact on innovation and investment are consistent with broader industry sentiments.

Overall assessment

Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: ✅ The narrative is current and consistent with verified information. The quotes from Tomasz Mentzen and Janusz Kowalski are accurate and corroborated by multiple sources. While the source's reliability is slightly lower due to its lesser-known status, the content aligns with established facts and industry concerns.