France could become the first European country to officially hold Bitcoin as a national reserve asset. According to a report from CryptoComLearn, French lawmaker Éric Ciotti and the center-right UDR party have introduced a bill in the National Assembly proposing the acquisition of 420,000 Bitcoin—roughly 2% of the total circulating supply—over a period of seven to eight years.
Innovative Funding: Nuclear Mining, Seized Assets, and Daily Savings
The bill outlines a unique three-pronged funding strategy. First, France would leverage its surplus nuclear and hydroelectric power to conduct state-backed Bitcoin mining, generating coins at a low cost. Second, proceeds from the sale of confiscated crypto assets seized by law enforcement would be funneled into Bitcoin purchases. Third, the plan calls for the creation of savings accounts that allow citizens to make daily micro-purchases of Bitcoin, thereby building the national reserve incrementally through broad public participation.
A Bold Move in the Global Bitcoin Reserve Race
While countries like El Salvador have already adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, and U.S. states have debated similar reserve bills, France's proposal would mark the first time a major European economy formalized Bitcoin as part of its strategic reserves. Ciotti argued that Bitcoin serves as a “decentralized, borderless store of value” that can hedge against traditional financial system risks and enhance national financial sovereignty.
The bill faces an uncertain path through the French parliament, with critics raising concerns over Bitcoin's price volatility and the energy consumption of mining—even if powered by nuclear surplus. Supporters, however, counter that France's nuclear advantage makes mining environmentally viable, and that Bitcoin's long-term appreciation justifies the short-term risk. The market has already reacted positively, with Bitcoin edging higher on the news. Over the coming months, the global crypto community will watch closely as France potentially sets a precedent for sovereign Bitcoin adoption in Europe.