Sławomir Mentzen is running for president in Poland’s May 2025 elections. He’s made a bold promise: to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve if he wins. Following in Donald Trump's footsteps, Mentzen aims to lead the way in cryptocurrency adoption, which could change Poland's economic strategy significantly.
Mentzen responded to a policy framework from Lech Wilczyński, the CEO of the crypto exchange Swap.ly. He expressed his commitment to this plan and highlighted how Bitcoin could benefit Poland by enhancing national resilience and independence from traditional financial systems.
“Poland should create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. If I become President, our country will become a cryptocurrency haven. We’ll have friendly regulations, low taxes, and support from banks and regulators,” Mentzen stated.
His strategy goes beyond just adopting Bitcoin. By fostering a welcoming environment for crypto businesses, he hopes to drive innovation and attract global investors. He wants Poland to be a competitive player in the global crypto market.
This vision includes crypto-friendly regulations and reduced taxes. He also plans to engage cooperatively with banks and regulators. His ideas resonate with libertarian values, appealing to voters who prefer minimal government interference and financial innovation.
These initiatives could position Poland as a leader in digital asset innovation. Mentzen’s proposal is gaining traction among the growing number of crypto-savvy individuals in Poland, where Bitcoin adoption has surged in recent years.
With elections scheduled for May 2025, Mentzen’s cryptocurrency-focused policies could shape Poland’s economic future. If successful, his leadership might usher in a transformative era, placing Poland at the forefront of the cryptocurrency revolution in Europe.
Mentzen’s initiative aligns with a rising global interest in national Bitcoin reserves. Earlier this year, Donald Trump also proposed a similar reserve, sparking discussions about Bitcoin’s role in national finance.
This has inspired initiatives in various U.S. states, like Pennsylvania's proposed Bitcoin reserve bill and Florida’s support for the concept. Senator Cynthia Lummis has even advocated for Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, suggesting that selling Federal Reserve gold could help fund this transition.
Internationally, the interest is expanding. Hong Kong is considering adding Bitcoin to its financial reserves, highlighting the asset's potential as a hedge against economic volatility. Mentzen’s plan reflects this broader trend, leveraging Bitcoin’s scarcity and decentralized nature to position Poland as a leader in the cryptocurrency space.
While still in the campaign phase, Mentzen’s promise shows a strong alignment with a global shift toward cryptocurrency adoption. As other nations, including the U.S. and Hong Kong, explore similar strategies, Poland’s potential adoption of a Bitcoin reserve could set a precedent for other mid-sized economies.
However, some critics raise concerns about Bitcoin’s volatility and its risks as a reserve asset. Investor Michael Novogratz has warned that national adoption might face challenges due to an unpredictable market and political complexities.
“It’s a low probability. While the Republicans control the Senate, they don’t have close to 60 seats. It would be smart for the U.S. to take the Bitcoin they have and maybe add some more… I don’t think the dollar needs anything to back it up,” Novogratz claimed.
Polymarket odds support his view. The decentralized prediction market, which gained credibility after successfully forecasting Trump’s victory, shows only a 31% chance of Trump establishing a U.S. Bitcoin Reserve.
Despite the skepticism, Novogratz believes such a reserve would benefit Bitcoin, possibly driving its value up to $500,000. Meanwhile, others like David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, argue that Trump could create a Bitcoin strategic reserve without needing Congressional approval.
“The experts say the President has the authority to establish the SBR without Congress and start a significant acquisition program. To go bigger, we’ll need Congress, but we can start right away at a MicroStrategy-esque scale,” Bailey expressed.