Poland’s lower house, the Sejm, has approved a government-backed bill that would expand the country’s sanctions regime and make clear that crypto assets can be frozen under national sanctions. Lawmakers passed the proposed Act on Restrictive Measures by 240 votes to 202, with one abstention, and sent it to the Senate for further consideration.
The measure would explicitly classify crypto assets as financial funds for sanctions purposes, using the definition set out in the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, or MiCA. If enacted, it would also broaden the reasons Polish authorities can place individuals or companies on the national sanctions list.
Crypto explicitly covered under sanctions rules
The bill is designed to remove ambiguity over whether digital assets fall within the scope of assets that can be blocked by authorities. Under the proposal approved by the Sejm, crypto assets would be treated as funds that may be frozen when sanctions are imposed.
That approach ties the Polish framework to the MiCA definition of crypto assets. By writing that classification directly into the sanctions law, the bill would make crypto part of the same enforcement toolkit already used for other forms of financial funds.
Broader grounds for sanctions listings
Poland already operates a national sanctions list, but the bill would widen the basis for adding names to it. In particular, the proposed changes would allow sanctions listings in response to foreign interference and information manipulation that pose a serious threat to national security.
The legislation therefore goes beyond the question of asset type and also updates the scope of conduct that can trigger restrictive measures. In practice, that means the sanctions framework would cover a broader range of threats than before if the bill becomes law.
Interior minister to oversee designations
Under the bill, the interior minister would oversee the national sanctions list. Listing decisions would take effect the day after a designation is made, allowing enforcement to begin quickly once a person or company is added.
Those affected would have a path to challenge a designation in administrative court. However, the bill provides that enforcement may continue before the court reaches a ruling, meaning a legal challenge would not automatically pause the sanctions measures.
Senate review is the next step
The legislation now moves to Poland’s Senate, which has 30 days to act. If the upper chamber does not take action within that period, the bill would pass in the form already approved by the Sejm.
After that stage, the measure would go to the president for consideration. For now, the Sejm vote marks a significant procedural step, but the bill has not yet completed the legislative process.
Source: cointelegraph.com