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The European Parliament did not pass any new ban on private anonymous Bitcoin wallets in 2026. On the contrary, the MiCA and AMLR regulatory package, adopted in 2023-2024, came into full effect by the end of 2025. These regulations extend AML/KYC requirements to cryptocurrencies, but do not outlaw private wallets (so-called self-hosted wallets). Instead, they impose a verification requirement for occasional transactions above EUR 1,000 (approx. PLN 4,300 at the exchange rate of January 14, 2026) between regulated cryptocurrency service providers (CASP) and wallets not supported by such entities.
In this article, we explain the current state of regulations, what anonymous wallets are, how Bitcoin ATMs work Bitcoin ATMs Poland, and what this means for investors. We will also discuss criticism of the industry and its estimated impact on the market.
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The MiCA and AMLR regulations are designed to combat money laundering (AML) and terrorist financing (CFT). Key changes:
In practice, this means that EU law is not concerned with the mere possession of Bitcoin or a private wallet, but rather with the moment when cryptocurrencies "come into contact" with the regulated world—an exchange, Bitcoin ATM operator Bitcoin ATM other licensed service. It is these points of contact that are subject to AML controls and obligations, not everyday private use of wallets or transactions between users.
The 2022 vote (with approximately 90 members of parliament in favor of the initial proposal) was only the first phase. The process was completed in 2024:
There is no "de facto ban" – the European People's Party (EPP) opposed such ideas, emphasizing innovation.
It was at this stage that many misunderstandings arose. Some people interpreted the preliminary vote as a definitive ban, when in fact it was only a starting point for further negotiations. The final regulations, adopted later, are much milder than the initial proposals and do not ban private wallets.
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Bitcoin is pseudonymous, not anonymous: all transactions are public on the blockchain, and addresses can be analyzed (e.g., by Chainalysis). Self-hosted wallets are not prohibited, but transactions to/from CASP require verification.
Popular wallets with privacy features (as of 2026):
Many myths have grown up around "anonymous wallets." The wallet itself does not make someone invisible on the network—the blockchain is public, and every transaction can be seen. A private wallet gives you more control over your funds and privacy, but it is not a magic cloak of invisibility. Much depends on how and where you use it.
Most often, problems only begin when funds are transferred to an exchange, Bitcoin ATM other regulated service. It is at these moments that verification and reporting obligations arise.
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Yes, the FBI and Interpol use blockchain analysis tools, mainly for serious crimes. However, this does not mean that every transaction made by an ordinary user is monitored on an ongoing basis. Bitcoin leaves a trail, but without linking the address to a specific person, this data alone does not reveal much. Only contact with an exchange, bank, or other regulated service allows transactions to be linked to an identity.
In Poland, the use of Bitcoin ATMs currently subject to mandatory KYC verification, regardless of the transaction amount. Operators must identify customers and report transactions in accordance with AML regulations to the GIIF. This means that quick cash transactions are still possible, but they are no longer anonymous. The new regulations have not eliminated Bitcoin ATMs, but they have significantly increased the level of control and formalities on the part of the user and operator.
Is this a good or bad thing? Perhaps it will deter some crimes? Discuss it ON THE TELEGRAM CHANNEL with other Bitcoin ATMs users.
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In response to the new regulations, some industry players criticized the EU's direction, pointing to the risk of excessive supervision and burdens on ordinary users. Coinbase, which obtained a MiCA license in Luxembourg and operates throughout the EU, has repeatedly emphasized the need for clear rules and transparency, but at the same time has not shied away from fulfilling its legal compliance obligations.
Industry media also quoted analysts saying that the regulations could stifle innovation, although regulators emphasize that their aim is to protect against financial crime without compromising privacy in the senseof the GDPR.
As for the market, Bitcoin, after sharp increases in 2025 (a record high of over approximately $126,000), subsequently fell and consolidated around levels between $87,000 and $95,000 in the first weeks of 2026.
Price forecasts are divided — some analysts see the possibility of growth towards $150,000, while others warn of volatility and corrections, showing that the market is still in a phase of dynamic change.
The debates continue—for example, on the crypto community's Telegram channel.
The regulations do not eliminate private wallets, but they clearly change the rules of the game in places where cryptocurrencies meet the regulated system. Complete anonymity on exchanges or Bitcoin ATMs a thing of the past, and some projects focused on maximum privacy are actually moving outside the EU. From the perspective of regulators, this is intended to reduce abuse and circumvention of sanctions, but for ordinary users it means more red tape and less freedom than a few years ago.
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