French lawmakers have introduced a bill to the National Assembly to form a strategic bitcoin reserve of 420,000 BTC (2% of the maximum supply) over 7–8 years. The initiative belongs to UDR party leader Éric Ciotti, who positions bitcoin as a tool for protecting France's financial sovereignty.
The bill provides for the creation of a special public fund for asset storage and management. Main sources of replenishment:
State mining using excess electricity from 56 EDF nuclear and hydroelectric power plants (up to 1 GW capacity).
Confiscation of bitcoins in criminal cases.
Daily market purchases using 25% of funds accumulated in Livret A and LDDS savings products (approximately €15 million per day).
Possibility of paying taxes in BTC and stablecoins.
France, producing about 70% of its electricity from nuclear power plants, regularly faces surplus generation. The bill suggests directing up to 1 GW of 'free' capacity to mining, turning unused energy into a liquid asset. It is estimated to generate $100–150 million in annual income per gigawatt. Simultaneously, it solves the problem of grid stabilization and emission reduction.
EDF's subsidiary Exaion is already collaborating with American miner Marathon Digital, but Ciotti insists on maintaining national control over infrastructure.
The document includes:
Preferential electricity tariffs for miners (dynamic excise and flexible TURPE rates).
Integration of BTC-ETN into PEA savings plans.
Support for euro stablecoins with a tax-free limit of €200 per day.
The chances of the bill passing are considered low (UDR is represented by 16 deputies), but the initiative signals a growing interest of European countries in bitcoin as a reserve asset. After the news publication, the BTC price was about $112,600.
Analysts note that the state mining model based on nuclear energy could set a precedent for countries with surplus generation (Russia, Canada, China). Unlike direct purchases, bitcoin production minimizes market pressure and strengthens the 'green' mining narrative.
At current prices, the target reserve is valued at $47–48 billion. France is ahead of the MiCA regulatory framework and CBDC development, strengthening its position in the European cryptoeconomy.