Sławomir Mentzen, candidate in the May 2025 Polish presidential election, pledged to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve if elected.
Following in the footsteps of Donald Trump, Mentzen is positioning himself as a leader in cryptocurrency implementation, a move that could reshape Poland’s economic strategy.
Sławomir Mentzen’s Manifesto: Bitcoin Reserve
Feedback on a policy framework shared by Lech Wilczyński, CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Swap.ly, Mentzen affirmed his commitment to implementing this plan. He emphasized the potential benefits of Bitcoin for national recovery and independence from the traditional financial system (TradFi).
“Poland needs to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. If I become President of Poland, our country will become a crypto paradise with friendly regulations, low taxes and support from banks and regulators,” Mentzen share.
Mentzen’s strategy goes beyond just usage. By creating a favorable environment for crypto businesses, he aims to foster innovation and attract global investors. He emphasized his intention to turn Poland into a strong competitor in the global cryptocurrency market.
The vision includes crypto-friendly regulation, tax breaks, and active collaboration with banks and regulators. The candidate also draws inspiration from the liberal ideals often associated with cryptocurrencies. This targets voters who favor less government intervention and fiscal innovation.
These will set Poland on the path to becoming a global leader in digital asset innovation. Mentzen’s proposal is popular among the increasingly crypto-savvy Polish community, as Bitcoin adoption has increased significantly in recent years.
With Polish elections scheduled for May 2025, Mentzen’s crypto-forward policies are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s economic future. If successful, his leadership could herald a period of change for Poland, putting it at the forefront of Europe’s cryptocurrency revolution.
“Maybe the first in Europe, but definitely not the last,” said one user on X comment.
Inspiration from Global Trends
Mentzen’s proposal resonates with growing international interest in national Bitcoin reserves. This concept has received attention since the beginning of the year when US President-elect Donald Trump pledged to establish a similar reserve fund, opening up debates about Bitcoin’s role in national finances.
Trump’s stance has inspired state-level initiatives in the US, such as Pennsylvania’s proposed Bitcoin reserve bill and Florida’s support for the concept. Additionally, Senator Cynthia Lummis has advocated for Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, suggesting that the sale of gold by the Federal Reserve could fund this transition.
Globally, interest is expanding. Hong Kong is also considering including Bitcoin in its financial reserves. This points to the asset’s potential as a hedge against economic volatility. Mentzen’s initiative reflects this broader trend, leveraging Bitcoin’s scarcity and decentralization to position Poland as a leader in the cryptocurrency space.
While still at the campaign stage, Mentzen’s promise represents a bold alliance with the broader global shift toward cryptocurrency adoption. As other countries, such as the US and Hong Kong, explore similar strategies, Poland’s potential option for a Bitcoin reserve fund could set a precedent for other mid-sized economies.
However, critics question Bitcoin’s volatility and potential risks as a reserve asset. Notably, investor Michael Novogratz has warned that national adoption could face resistance due to unpredictable markets and political complications.
“It’s a low probability. While Republicans control the Senate, they have nowhere near 60 seats. I think the US would be smart if they used the Bitcoin they have and maybe add a little bit to it… I don’t necessarily think the USD needs anything to back it up,” Novogratz declare.
Polymarket odds share his view. The decentralized prediction market, which gained credibility after successfully predicting Trump’s victory, shows there is only a 31% chance of Trump establishing a US Bitcoin Reserve.
Despite skepticism, Novogratz stated that a Reserve Fund would be beneficial for Bitcoin, possibly taking BTC’s value up to $500,000. Meanwhile, others like David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, suggest that Donald Trump could create a Bitcoin strategic reserve without needing Congressional approval.
“The verdict from experts is that the President has the authority to establish the SBR without Congress and carry out a sizable acquisition program (tens of billions of dollars). To go bigger, we will need Congress, but we can start immediately at a scale similar to MicroStrategy,” Bailey said.