Poland to Explore Blockchain Tech in Government Digitization Effort

Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is taking steps that may find it promoting digital currencies and blockchain technology.

The agency announced an expansive digitization plan last week that comes amid a broader drive among European regulators to understand the emerging tech. Called “From paper to digital Poland”, the effort will seek to promote digital public services, the development of cashless solutions and the implementation of electronic identification (eID).

Notably, one of the areas of focus will be “blockchain and cryptocurrencies”, a program that aim to “find regulatory, legal and economic solutions” that will make it possible for digital currency projects to compete in the European nation.

Potential rules, while in their early stages, will aim to keep users safe and give the regulators the right to oversee such projects.

The project, while similar to others internationally, still represents a significant change in tone for the Polish government on the emerging technology.

Since the declaration from a representative of Poland’s Ministry of Finance that bitcoin “is not illegal” in December 2013, the government has remained relatively silent on matters relating to cryptocurrencies and their underlying blockchain tech.

However, in February, Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs issued a strategic document where it included bitcoin and blockchain alongside the Internet of Things as accelerating technologies that could foster country’s development.

The announcement was followed by the intensive dialogue between the Ministry of Digital Affairs and Poland’s bitcoin and blockchain tech industry. The first working meeting found Minister Anna Streżyńska and other public officials opening a dialogue with representatives of the Polish Bitcoin Association, digital currency firms, academics and lawyers last month.

A second meeting is now scheduled for July.

Krakow image via Shutterstock