Karol Nawrocki’s victory in Poland’s presidential election on June 1, 2025, has sent ripples through both European politics and the crypto community.
The 42-year-old historian, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, defeated Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski with 50.89% of the vote in a closely contested runoff that saw 71.63% voter turnout. What makes this victory particularly noteworthy for the crypto world is Nawrocki’s explicit pro-Bitcoin stance during his campaign.
Nawrocki had committed to rejecting “oppressive regulations” that could hinder the crypto industry and promised to be a “guarantor of freedom” for cryptocurrency development. However, Nawrocki’s cryptocurrency advocacy appears to be driven more by political opportunism than deep conviction.
The president-elect notably stated that he doesn’t personally own Bitcoin, saying, “I don’t invest in cryptocurrencies, but I see more and more people and companies engaging in this path.”
His lack of concrete proposals beyond encouraging banks to stop obstructing crypto investments has sparked skepticism about whether his support represents genuine policy commitment or simply electoral positioning.
Strategic Crypto Reserve Underway?
While Nawrocki’s promises remain vague, other political figures are offering more substantive crypto policies. Presidential candidate Sławomir Mentzen, who secured 15% of the vote with strong support among young voters (over 50% among 18-29 year-olds), has proposed creating a strategic Bitcoin reserve and reducing capital gains taxation on cryptocurrencies.
Mentzen’s influence could prove crucial in shaping parliamentary debates about crypto policy, particularly given his potential informal influence over key appointments, including the central bank governor position that comes up in 2028. The possibility of Poland establishing a strategic crypto reserve isn’t entirely far-fetched when considering the country’s recent gold accumulation strategy.
Also, this precedent for alternative reserve assets, combined with potential alignment with US President Donald Trump’s policies, could pave the way for Bitcoin adoption at the state level. Nawrocki met with Trump in the Oval Office in early May, where the US president reportedly expressed confidence in the Polish candidate’s victory.
European Implications
Nawrocki’s victory represents more than just a national political shift; it signals a potential change in European Union dynamics regarding crypto regulation. As the EU’s sixth-largest economy with steady growth and significant diplomatic influence, Poland’s pro-Bitcoin stance could challenge the bloc’s restrictive approach to digital assets embodied in regulations like MiCA.
The new president’s promise to prioritize innovation over regulation could position Poland as a cryptocurrency haven within Europe, attracting crypto businesses and blockchain developers seeking a more favorable regulatory environment. However, the success of this strategy will depend heavily on Nawrocki’s ability to work with parliament and navigate EU regulations while maintaining Poland’s European integration.
With nationalist forces gaining momentum across Central Europe, Nawrocki’s pro-crypto policies may inspire similar approaches in neighboring countries, potentially creating a regional bloc favorable to Bitcoin adoption and challenging Brussels’ regulatory dominance in the digital asset space.
