Bitcoin News Today: France’s Far-Right Pushes Nuclear Energy for Bitcoin Mining

France’s far-right political party, National Rally, has reportedly initiated a legislative proposal to channel surplus electricity from the country’s nuclear power plants into Bitcoin mining operations [1]. The plan, first highlighted by French newspaper Le Monde and later elaborated in international analysis, would involve installing high-performance computing equipment at the premises of EDF, France’s leading energy utility, to harness unused nuclear-generated power [1].

Marine Le Pen, the party’s prominent figure and three-time presidential candidate, has publicly endorsed the initiative during her visit to the Flamanville nuclear plant in Normandy on March 11. She emphasized the potential of using excess nuclear energy—often difficult to store or redistribute—for the digital economy, particularly through Bitcoin mining [1]. National Rally MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori has been assigned the task of drafting the idea into a formal legislative bill, signaling the party’s intent to push the proposal forward [1].

The initiative reflects a broader attempt to align national energy policy with emerging technological trends, particularly in the realm of digital finance. By converting underused nuclear energy into a resource for cryptocurrency, National Rally seeks to address both energy waste and the growing global demand for decentralized digital assets [1]. However, the plan could also reignite debates over the environmental and economic trade-offs associated with cryptocurrency mining, especially in a country that has historically been cautious about the high energy demands of such activities [1].

Critics may argue that the surplus energy could be better utilized in supporting green industries, such as hydrogen production, or in strengthening local manufacturing during energy-intensive periods. Proponents, on the other hand, are likely to highlight the potential for economic diversification and the strategic positioning of France as a leader in the integration of green energy and digital assets [1]. The feasibility of the plan will depend heavily on technical execution and the political prioritization of energy strategy.

The proposed legislation could serve as a catalyst for broader regulatory discussions in France regarding the role of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in the national economy. While no comprehensive policy has yet been announced by the government, this initiative could set a precedent for how energy surplus is leveraged in the digital age [1].

Source: [1] The World This Week322 - Global Politics (https://globalpolitics.in/view_cir_articles.php?ArticleNo=1779&recordNo=1785&url=The%20World%20This%20Week)