French Lawmakers Reject Proposal to Explore State-Backed Bitcoin Mining

The French National Assembly has declined to consider a proposal to explore the use of surplus electricity for state-sponsored Bitcoin mining.  The amendment was rejected on procedural grounds, halting what could have been a landmark discussion for France’s energy and digital finance strategy. Proposal to Study State-Supported Bitcoin Mining On Monday, French lawmakers proposed integrating Bitcoin mining into the national energy strategy to utilize €80 million of unused electricity, largely generated from nuclear overproduction. Amendment No. 547 argued that Bitcoin mining’s flexible energy consumption could help absorb surplus electricity, reduce strain on reactors, and support grid balancing. The plan considered locating mining facilities near power plants, reviving dormant industrial sites, and repurposing mining-generated heat for urban or industrial use. Moreover, the proposal framed Bitcoin mining as a low-carbon, regulated solution aligned with France’s climate objectives. However, in the most recent development, the ambitious proposal has quickly hit a procedural roadblock. Dismissed on Procedural Grounds Despite its emphasis on infrastructure efficiency and innovation, the Assembly ruled the amendment inadmissible under Article 98 of its Rules of Procedure. The rejection was not based on the proposal’s content but on procedural grounds. According to local reports, the amendment was likely classified as a legislative rider, meaning it lacked sufficient relevance to the primary subject of the bill to which it was attached. Such dismissals are common in parliamentary procedure and do not rule out the possibility of revisiting the topic through more appropriate legislative channels. Had the proposal moved forward, France could have joined a small but growing group of countries, including Bhutan and El Salvador, exploring sovereign Bitcoin mining initiatives. Analysts believe a revised amendment, more closely aligned with the core bill, could be reintroduced. However, given the current political climate and ongoing concerns about Bitcoin’s environmental impact, any near-term revival of the idea appears unlikely. France Maintains a Cautious Stance on Bitcoin Government officials have consistently voiced concerns over Bitcoin mining's environmental footprint and high energy consumption. As a result, potential benefits, such as monetizing excess renewable or nuclear energy through regulated mining, remain largely absent from mainstream policy discussions. Industry Sees a Missed Opportunity Meanwhile, the crypto community commentators view the decision as a missed opportunity for France. Alex Stanczyk, Managing Director at Swan Private Wealth, warned that such choices risk putting nations at a disadvantage in what he described as a “digital financial arms race.”  He noted that countries embracing Bitcoin may gain a competitive edge, while those resisting adoption could fall behind, limiting future economic opportunities for their citizens. https://twitter.com/alexstanczyk/status/1935685063208829287