Updated on:12/27/2025 06:00 PM 
A cryptocurrency donation controversy has plunged the Czech government into a severe political crisis, shaking public confidence in the ruling coalition.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala now confronts mounting pressure as opposition parties demand a no-confidence vote following the resignation of Justice Minister Pavel Blažek over the digital currency scandal.
The political firestorm originates from a Bitcoin contribution linked to Tomáš Jirkovský, an individual previously convicted for operating Sheep Marketplace, a notorious dark web platform historically utilized for illegal drug transactions.
Jirkovský received a prison sentence in 2017 for his involvement in managing the illicit marketplace. Subsequently, years after his conviction, he made a controversial cryptocurrency donation to the Justice Ministry through an auction, valued at 956.8 million CZK (approximately $45 million).
The questionable origins of this digital currency contribution have ignited widespread public indignation and drawn sharp criticism from both lawmakers and citizens across the political spectrum.
Despite Blažek's assertions of innocence and claims of ignorance regarding the donor's identity, he chose to step down amidst intensifying backlash. The former minister informed reporters that he had not engaged with the case for several years and was unable to trace the cryptocurrency donation's provenance at the time of receipt.
In the wake of these developments, the opposition ANO party, led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, is actively campaigning for a no-confidence motion, asserting that the scandal exposes deeper systemic issues within the current ruling coalition.
Karel Havlíček, deputy leader of ANO, emphasized that the government should have immediately resigned, characterizing the blockchain donation controversy as a matter that severely eroded public trust in governmental institutions.
Adding to the political turmoil, Czech lawmaker Alena Schillerová accused both current and former ministers of facilitating criminal elements to benefit financially while evading tax obligations. She portrayed the scandal as part of a pattern of previous misconduct, suggesting potential coordination at the highest echelons of government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fiala has publicly acknowledged the concerns of citizens and committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation. He stressed that the government will fully support law enforcement and intelligence agencies in their efforts to uncover all pertinent facts surrounding the crypto corruption scandal.
Fiala has additionally convened the State Security Council to assess the broader implications of the controversy. He stated:
Justice Minister Eva Decriox, who succeeded Blažek, has aligned herself with the prime minister's position. She promised that the case would undergo rigorous examination from ethical, legal, and political perspectives, and affirmed that any individuals found responsible would face appropriate consequences.
She stated:
