Is the EU Bitcoin race starting? France targets 420k BTC as Germany weighs reserves
Summary
Two major European economies, France and Germany, have introduced proposals to establish national Bitcoin reserves, signaling a potential "EU Bitcoin race" to redefine state assets. France's plan, put forward by Éric Ciotti's UDR party, is highly detailed, aiming to accumulate 420,000 BTC between 2025 and 2032 through mechanisms like public mining, retaining seized BTC, and allocating funds from savings accounts. This move is framed as strengthening national sovereignty and reducing dependence on the US dollar, positioning Bitcoin as "digital gold."
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) introduced a motion suggesting the exploration of a national Bitcoin strategy as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical instability, viewing its predictable supply as a complement to gold. While Germany's target size is unspecified, analysts suggest it could involve billions of euros.
These initiatives reflect a growing philosophical divide in Europe regarding cryptocurrency, contrasting regulatory views with those seeing digital assets as foundational for monetary sovereignty. If France proceeds, it would become the largest sovereign Bitcoin holder, potentially impacting macro-liquidity, as Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a non-debasable, verifiable hedge against traditional reserve assets.
(Source:CryptoSlate)