Ireland is seeking to ban donations to political parties that use cryptocurrencies as fears mount over foreign interference in its elections.
on April 18th, O’Brien said that the laws will further protect Ireland’s democratic system “given the escalating threat of cyber warfare targeting free countries,” and a newly established Electoral Commission will oversee compliance with the laws.
It is unclear what percentage or monetary amount of political donations are currently paid to political parties or individuals using a cryptocurrency. Cointelegraph contacted Minister O’Brien and the Standards In Public Office Commission for comment but did not immediately hear back. O’Brien started his campaign to reform the laws in January 2022, establishing a task force of political scientists and legal experts to investigate new election laws due to concerns about the escalating Russia-Ukraine war.
The task force advised on a series of measures that would build a “legal and digital bulwark” against election interference in the country, including parties providing streamlined accountancy reporting and declarations on adherence to the new political funding laws.