France’s Pioneering Move: Embracing Cryptocurrency with Nuclear Power
In a groundbreaking development, France is poised to enter a new era of cryptocurrency adoption. The right-wing political faction, Rassemblement National (RN), is crafting innovative legislation to utilize surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining. According to reports from the esteemed French daily Le Monde, this initiative is championed by party leader Marine Le Pen, a notable figure in French politics. During her visit to the Flamanville nuclear facility on March 11, Le Pen lauded this strategy as a wise method to transform otherwise wasted energy into lucrative and secure digital assets.
Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin Mining: France’s Ambitious Proposal
The proposal by Rassemblement National has quickly gained traction as one of the most discussed crypto initiatives in the nation. The party asserts that France often generates more electricity than it consumes, and surplus power should be harnessed rather than wasted. Spearheading this initiative is RN legislator Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, who has meticulously drafted a bill to equip nuclear sites operated by Électricité de France (EDF) with Bitcoin mining infrastructure.
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This forward-thinking proposal aims to channel up to one gigawatt of surplus nuclear energy directly into Bitcoin mining operations. Currently, France derives over 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy. During periods of excess supply, energy providers either sell the surplus at a loss or incur costs by offloading it to neighboring countries. Instead of incurring such losses, France could capitalize on the opportunity to mine Bitcoin, thereby generating substantial profits.
The legislative proposal, presented to the French National Assembly on July 11, 2025, outlines a five-year pilot program. This initiative grants energy producers the authority to establish mining operations within nuclear facilities, with projections indicating potential revenue of $100 million to $150 million annually.
From Crypto Skepticism to Advocacy: A Political Transformation
Rassemblement National’s shift towards endorsing Bitcoin mining marks a significant change in their stance on cryptocurrency. In 2016, Marine Le Pen was an outspoken critic of cryptocurrencies, cautioning that they could undermine citizens’ financial autonomy and empower global banks. She even advocated for a complete ban on their use within France.
Nonetheless, by 2022, Le Pen had begun to express more favorable views towards regulated cryptocurrency use in financial transactions. Fast forward to 2025, and she now openly supports Bitcoin mining as a national strategy. This evolution underscores the broader transformation within her party and the evolving political discourse on cryptocurrencies. Following the initial rejection of a similar proposal in June 2025, Lawmaker Lopez-Liguori revised the draft to emphasize national infrastructure and economic recovery, arguing that the plan would bolster France’s economic independence while addressing an enduring energy challenge.
If successful, France would become the first European nation to officially integrate state-endorsed Bitcoin mining with nuclear energy. This could serve as a model for other countries seeking to monetize surplus renewable or nuclear power.
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