Tusk Seeks Sejm Vote to Override Crypto Veto as Zondacrypto Probe Expands

Push to override the presidential veto

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on 28 August 2026 that he will ask Sejm Marshal Włodzimierz Czarzasty to hold a parliamentary vote on overriding President Karol Nawrocki's veto of the crypto-assets market bill. The legislation was passed by the Sejm on 15 May 2026 and vetoed by Nawrocki on 11 June 2026, marking his third refusal to sign regulations for the cryptocurrency sector after earlier vetoes in December 2025 and February 2026. The president argued that parliament had adopted only one of 16 amendments submitted by the presidential office and maintained that the law failed to protect the domestic market adequately. Tusk linked the renewed legislative effort to an expanding criminal investigation into cryptocurrency exchange Zondacrypto, which previously operated under the name BitBay. Speaking before a cabinet session convened to discuss the 2027 state budget, Tusk stated that lawmakers must establish legal oversight of digital assets without further delay.

Political accusations and the Zondacrypto investigation

The prime minister described the unfolding case as an organized structure rather than an isolated act of corruption, pointing to connections between the exchange and figures associated with Law and Justice (PiS). Tusk named President Karol Nawrocki, PiS chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, and former prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, saying that opposition leaders could not dismiss their political responsibility. He also referred to payments from companies linked to Zondacrypto head Przemysław Kral to foundations tied to former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro and Konfederacja politician Przemysław Wipler. In earlier statements, the presidential office maintained that the draft bill would not solve systemic issues, while text messages released by TV Republika showed Kral expressing hope in late 2025 that the government bill would eliminate his domestic competition.

There is no doubt that this grim business was very closely connected with the entire PiS environment, and traces of financing and strange money flows between this business, PiS-linked media, and leading PiS politicians are becoming clearer and clearer.

Arrest of the Polish Olympic Committee president

The political friction followed the detention of Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl) president Radosław Piesiewicz on 27 August 2026 by Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime (CBZC) officers in Warsaw. Piesiewicz was transferred to the Katowice branch of the National Prosecutor's Office after 16:00 and released after midnight following questioning. Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek confirmed that prosecutors charged Piesiewicz under Article 230 and Article 302 of the Penal Code with paid influence peddling and satisfying selected creditors to the detriment of others. The charges follow a 24 August media investigation by Wirtualna Polska and TVN24, which reported that Piesiewicz received a Patek Philippe Calatrava watch valued at 40,000 euros (approximately 172,000 zlotys) from Kral in exchange for promises of intervention with former prime minister Morawiecki and the head of consumer protection office UOKiK. Piesiewicz denies the accusations, stating that he purchased the watch with cash.

Legislative timeline and prosecution milestones

The Katowice Regional Prosecutor's Office opened its investigation on 17 April 2026 after Zondacrypto halted customer withdrawals in the spring, focusing on large-scale fraud and money laundering. On 25 August 2026, Żurek announced a formal breakthrough in the case, citing new evidence, suspects, and individuals cooperating with investigators. The upcoming parliamentary vote on Nawrocki's veto will determine whether the government can enact the regulatory framework passed in May.