French Nationalists Propose BTC Mining Using Excess Nuclear Power in 2025
- From Crypto Ban to Mining Boom: RN’s Stunning Pivot
- The Economics Behind France’s Nuclear Bitcoin Play
- Global Context: When Political Rivals Embrace Crypto
- Implementation Hurdles: More Than Just Plugging In Miners
- FAQ: Your Questions Answered
In a dramatic policy reversal, France's far-right Rassemblement National (RN) party has introduced a bill to utilize wasted nuclear energy for bitcoin mining—a stark contrast to Marine Le Pen's 2016 call for a crypto ban. The proposal, led by MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, aims to convert France’s energy surplus into a strategic asset, potentially generating €100-150M annually while stabilizing the grid. But internal party dissent and environmental concerns loom over the ambitious plan. Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s political acceptance grows globally, with projects like Bitcoin Hyper gaining traction. Here’s the full breakdown.
From Crypto Ban to Mining Boom: RN’s Stunning Pivot
Back in 2016, Marine Le Pen famously branded cryptocurrencies as "tools of Wall Street elites" and pushed for bans to protect France’s monetary sovereignty. Fast forward to 2025: her RN party now champions a 5-year pilot program to deploy Bitcoin mining rigs at state-owned EDF nuclear facilities. The goal? Monetize excess electricity—France wasted €80M in 2024 alone selling surplus power at negative prices. "It’s about turning grid costs into digital gold," Lopez-Liguori told reporters after visiting the Flamanville plant. The plan could repurpose up to 1GW of idle capacity, with heat recovery systems mimicking Scandinavian models to warm buildings.
The Economics Behind France’s Nuclear Bitcoin Play
With 70% of France’s electricity already nuclear-powered, the math appears compelling. Mining operations could act as "shock absorbers" for the grid—switching off during peak demand while consuming surplus energy overnight. Analysts at TradingView note that nuclear-powered mining yields a carbon footprint 95% lower than coal-based operations. Yet critics within RN, like economic strategist Jean-Philippe Tanguy, fear Bitcoin’s decentralized nature might undermine tax policies. Environmentalists also grumble about energy optics, despite the low emissions. "Why burn spare megawatts when we could incentivize conservation?" argued Green Party rep Clémence Guetté.
Global Context: When Political Rivals Embrace Crypto
RN’s proposal mirrors a broader trend of political factions warming to crypto. JPMorgan’s 2024 partnership with Coinbase—after years of CEO Jamie Dimon’s "Bitcoin is fraud" rants—showcases how institutional resistance crumbles. Even the IMF recently acknowledged Bitcoin’s role in "energy arbitrage" for nations with power surpluses. On the tech front, layer-2 solutions like Bitcoin Hyper (which uses ZK-rollups and solana VM) demonstrate how scalability fixes are easing political concerns. Its ongoing presale, now at $6.9M, highlights investor appetite for Bitcoin-adjacent innovations.
Implementation Hurdles: More Than Just Plugging In Miners
The RN bill faces three key obstacles: regulatory uncertainty (France lacks clear crypto-mining laws), EDF’s debt crisis (€54.4B as of Q1 2025), and public skepticism. "Mining’s energy demands send mixed signals during climate crises," notes BTCC analyst Pierre Lambert. Still, the pilot’s job-creation angle—particularly in rural areas near nuclear plants—could win over voters. The proposal also suggests repurposing old industrial sites, avoiding new construction. If approved, France WOULD join Kazakhstan and Canada in leveraging energy infrastructure for crypto.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did Marine Le Pen change her stance on Bitcoin?
The shift reflects both pragmatic economics (France’s energy waste problem) and broader political trends. Even critics now see crypto as inevitable.
How profitable is nuclear-powered Bitcoin mining?
CoinMarketCap data shows nuclear-powered operations achieve ~$0.03/kWh costs versus $0.05-0.07 for renewables—a 40% edge in bear markets.
Could this make France a crypto mining hub?
Potentially. With 56 reactors, France has Europe’s largest nuclear fleet. But success depends on regulatory clarity and energy pricing reforms.
