Key Takeaways
What makes France’s Bitcoin invoice totally different from different EU proposals?
The invoice positions Bitcoin as a sovereign reserve asset, rejecting the EU’s digital euro in favor of alternate options, comparable to stablecoins.
How important would France’s proposed Bitcoin reserve be?
If adopted, France’s 420,000 BTC reserve would surpass U.S. holdings, making it the most important sovereign Bitcoin holder on the earth.
France’s conservative UDR occasion launched a groundbreaking invoice on 28 October that might set up a nationwide Bitcoin reserve. This invoice, if handed, positions the nation as a crypto coverage outlier inside the European Union.
The proposal, tabled within the French Parliament, requires the creation of a public establishment to handle a reserve of 420,000 BTC, in line with reports.
This represents roughly 2% of the overall provide, successfully rendering Bitcoin a state-backed strategic asset.
If adopted, France would leap forward of the USA’ 326,588 BTC holdings, changing into the world’s largest sovereign Bitcoin holder.
Supply: Bitcoin Treasuries
At present market costs, the reserve could be value greater than $48 billion, giving France a novel financial hedge amid world efforts to diversify reserves away from the U.S. greenback.
Sovereign crypto over centralized cash
The invoice’s authors describe Bitcoin as a “nationwide digital gold” that may safeguard France’s monetary sovereignty. It proposes funding the reserve by means of public mining powered by surplus nuclear and hydroelectric vitality.
Moreover, it proposes the retention of BTC seized in legal proceedings and a small every day allocation from nationwide financial savings plans, such because the Livret A.
In a direct problem to EU financial coverage, the invoice additionally urges opposition to the digital euro [CBDC]. It describes it as a “centralizing software” that threatens monetary freedom.
As a substitute, it requires selling euro-denominated stablecoins, permitting residents to make tax-free funds of as much as €200 per day and even pay taxes utilizing these belongings.
The initiative positions France as one of many few EU members in search of a market-driven different to the digital euro, aligning extra intently with the USA’ rising pro-Bitcoin stance than with Brussels’ cautious regulatory strategy.
Political ambition, restricted leverage
Regardless of its daring scope, the invoice faces an uphill battle. The UDR occasion, led by Eric Ciotti, holds solely 16 of 577 seats within the Nationwide Meeting, giving it little legislative leverage.
The proposal is unbiased of the continued Finance Invoice and lacks cross-party backing.
Nonetheless, its introduction marks a turning level for France’s crypto debate.
It displays a rising political willingness to border Bitcoin not merely as a speculative asset, however as a software of financial independence —a story more and more echoed within the U.S. and components of Asia.
Even when the invoice fails, it may reshape future discussions on digital sovereignty inside the EU.
By proposing a Bitcoin-backed reserve, France alerts its readiness to query the bloc’s centralized strategy and to discover how decentralized belongings may redefine energy within the subsequent monetary period.
