365Crypto
Lawmakers in France are gearing up to debate a bold new proposal that could change the country’s crypto future. The motion, introduced by Éric Ciotti of the Union of the Right for the Republic, calls for banning the digital euro and promoting Bitcoin and stablecoins instead.
If passed, France would position itself as a major European voice against CBDCs — digital currencies issued by central banks — and in favor of private and decentralized options. The proposal also aligns with the U.S. GENIUS Act, which pushed for banning CBDCs and supporting stablecoin innovation.
Ciotti’s resolution urges the French government to advocate for crypto-friendly banking standards that deviate from the strict 2022 Basel rules, making it easier for financial institutions to hold and pledge crypto assets.
Although the text doesn’t directly mention it, reports suggest Ciotti wants the French state to hold 2% of all Bitcoin, roughly $48 billion worth, as a national strategic reserve. This mirrors moves by the U.S. and countries like Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan, which are exploring national crypto reserves of their own.
Some lawmakers from other parties have also discussed using France’s nuclear surplus energy to mine Bitcoin, turning the country into a clean-energy crypto powerhouse.
(Footnotes: CBDC — Central Bank Digital Currency, a digital form of government-issued money. Basel Rules — international banking regulations that set capital requirements.)
