Poland's lower house votes 240-202 for a sanctions law that would let the state freeze crypto, while its MiCA law stays vetoed

Poland's lower house has voted for a sanctions law that would reach crypto. The Sejm passed the Act on Restrictive Measures on November 6 by 240 votes to 202, with one abstention, crypto.news reported. The bill sets national rules for freezing money and other assets, and it counts crypto holdings, as defined in the EU's MiCA rules, among the funds that can be frozen.

Under the bill, the interior minister would keep a national sanctions list. A listing would take effect the day after it is published, and banks and crypto exchanges holding assets for a listed customer would have to block transfers and other transactions. A listing does not give the state the keys to a person's own wallet, but providers could be barred from handling that person's transactions. A court challenge would not pause a freeze. The government says the bill applies an EU directive from 2024, and Deputy Interior Minister Czesław Mroczek said it would allow national measures beyond Russia and Belarus.

The vote contrasts with the stalemate over crypto licensing. President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the government's MiCA law for a third time on June 11, and a September attempt to override him fell short, with 241 votes in favor against the 266 needed. The sanctions bill now goes to the Senate and then to the president. Crypto.news did not say whether he has signaled a view on it.