In brief:
₿- France’s UDR party proposes creating a national Bitcoin strategic reserve, aiming to acquire up to 2% of Bitcoin’s total supply over seven to eight years.
₿- The bill proposes using surplus energy for Bitcoin mining, funding daily Bitcoin purchases from savings schemes, and letting citizens pay some taxes in Bitcoin.
France is making headlines with a bold new crypto initiative. The center-right Union of the Right and Centre (UDR) party, led by lawmaker Éric Ciotti, has unveiled its first comprehensive cryptocurrency bill. The proposal aims to establish a national Bitcoin strategic reserve, positioning Bitcoin as a form of “digital gold” to strengthen the country’s financial sovereignty.
Leveraging energy for Bitcoin mining
Under the plan, France would target acquiring up to 2% of Bitcoin’s total supply, roughly 420,000 BTC, over the next seven to eight years. To manage this reserve, the legislation suggests creating a public administrative establishment (EPA), modeled on France’s existing gold and foreign currency holdings.
Funding the Bitcoin reserve is designed to be innovative and sustainable. The bill envisions using surplus nuclear and hydroelectric energy for public Bitcoin mining operations. The concept builds on a July 2025 proposal that encouraged energy producers to convert excess electricity into economic value through mining. By utilizing surplus energy, France could prevent economic losses while supporting domestic crypto production.
The bill also proposes adapted taxation for miners to incentivize local participation, ensuring France benefits from both the energy and economic opportunities of Bitcoin mining.
Daily Bitcoin purchases and citizen participation
France plans to allocate a portion of seized crypto and funds from popular savings schemes like Livret A and LDDS to daily Bitcoin purchases. This translates to approximately 15 million euros per day, or 55,000 BTC per year, helping steadily build the national reserve. If approved, citizens may also have the option to pay certain taxes in Bitcoin, enhancing everyday adoption.
Stablecoins and payment innovation
The legislation doesn’t stop at Bitcoin. It also promotes the use of euro-denominated stablecoins for daily transactions, exempting purchases under 200 euros from taxes and social contributions. The proposal takes a clear stance against a centralized digital euro, citing concerns over privacy and financial freedom.
To foster broader adoption, the bill recommends adjusting electricity taxes, implementing flexible tariffs for data centers, and easing regulations that currently limit crypto as collateral for loans. It also encourages institutional participation via exchange traded notes (ETNs).
Political challenges ahead
Despite its ambitious vision, the bill faces political obstacles. The UDR holds only 16 out of 577 seats in the French National Assembly, meaning wider support is essential for passage. Still, the proposal signals a potential turning point in Europe’s approach to Bitcoin and crypto policy.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group