Hardware Ready Ready to Bench?
The lower house of the Polish Parliament, the Sejm, has approved a draft law on restrictive measures that expands executive powers regarding national sanctions. The text, voted during the 68th session with 240 votes in favor and 202 against, allows the Minister of Interior to freeze cryptocurrencies, bank accounts, and other assets of individuals listed in a public national list. The regulation is now under review by the Polish Senate.
Why it matters
The main novelty lies in the procedure: the minister’s decision becomes effective the day after publication in the Public Information Bulletin and cannot be suspended by an administrative appeal until the final judgment. This eliminates the possibility of a temporary suspension of assets during judicial proceedings, making the freeze immediate and binding. The law treats cryptocurrencies as freezable financial means, adopting the definition established by the European MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation. The freeze applies to individuals and entities accused of supporting countries under EU sanctions, serious human rights violations, or information manipulation that threatens national security. Financial institutions, including exchanges and custodians, are subject to administrative fines if they fail to comply with the obligation to block assets.
The numbers
The outcome of the vote in the Sejm was 240 votes in favor against 202 against. One member abstained, while 17 parliamentarians did not participate in the voting. The Senate has 30 days to adopt, amend, or reject the law, as provided for by Article 121 of the Polish Constitution.
What remains to be understood
The text of the law does not specify a technical method for obtaining private keys of self-custodied coins; practical application will therefore occur through obligated exchanges and custodians. Two open points remain: whether the Senate will modify the clause preventing the suspension of the freeze during judicial proceedings, and whether President Karol Nawrocki will sign this specific sanctions law. The president had previously refused to sign a different law on cryptocurrency markets approved on May 15, a veto that legislators failed to override in September with a vote of 241-198.
Sources: Cointelegraph, Bitcoin Magazine.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or an investment recommendation.
* Content created with the assistance of artificial intelligence systems.