Bitcoin Mining, Stablecoins, and Privacy: Exclusive Interview with a French National Rally MP on Europe’s Crypto Crossroads
- From Agricultural Lobbyist to Crypto Advocate: A Politician's Unexpected Journey
- MiCA's Chilling Effect: How EU Regulation Backfired
- Sovereign Solutions: Public Procurement and Strategic Funds
- Privacy Paradox: Why Crypto Mixers Aren't the Enemy
- Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin: France's Missed Energy Opportunity
- Europe at a Crossroads: Brain Drain or Renaissance?
In a revealing discussion about Europe's struggling position in the digital asset space, French National Rally MP Aurélien Lopez-Liguori shares his controversial perspectives on MiCA regulations, bitcoin mining's potential for France's nuclear energy sector, and why European stablecoins can't compete globally. With Circle's EURC stablecoin languishing at #30 in market cap while a Russian ruble-pegged stablecoin nears the top 20, the interview exposes fundamental flaws in EU crypto policy.
From Agricultural Lobbyist to Crypto Advocate: A Politician's Unexpected Journey
What began in 2018 as a parliamentary assistant position transformed into a crusade for digital sovereignty when Lopez-Liguori joined Jean Lin Lacapelle's team at the European Parliament. "Working on the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act showed me how Brussels' regulatory overreach strangles innovation," the MP from Hérault explains. His background in agricultural commodities and rare metals unexpectedly prepared him to analyze crypto markets - "Both sectors deal with scarcity, just in different forms."
MiCA's Chilling Effect: How EU Regulation Backfired
The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation has become Lopez-Liguori's prime example of regulatory failure. "We've created conditions where Circle's EURC barely cracks $255 million market cap while a ruble-pegged stablecoin doubles that," he notes, comparing it to the GDPR's unintended consequences. Data from CoinMarketCap confirms European stablecoins represent less than 1.2% of the $161 billion stablecoin market. The MP argues this stems from regulating technologies rather than bad actors: "It's like banning knives because they could stab someone, rather than punishing actual stabbers."
Sovereign Solutions: Public Procurement and Strategic Funds
Lopez-Liguori proposes three radical measures: 1) European-first public procurement policies mirroring U.S. defense contracting, 2) Strategic investment funds targeting AI and blockchain, and 3) Regulatory sandboxes for European crypto projects. "Norway's sovereign wealth fund manages $1.4 trillion - more than Germany's GDP," he observes. "Yet Europe's Web3 startups flee to Dubai because we won't use similar tools to nurture homegrown innovation." The MP cites France's failed GaiaX office suite as cautionary tale of underfunded European tech initiatives.
Privacy Paradox: Why Crypto Mixers Aren't the Enemy
In a surprising stance from a lawmaker, Lopez-Liguori defends privacy tools: "Banning crypto mixers because criminals might use them is like banning cars because bank robbers use getaways." He references June 2025 legislation attempting to weaken encryption as misguided: "TRM Labs and Chainalysis already track $20B in illicit crypto flows annually. The UN estimates fiat currencies facilitate 100x more crime - should we ban euros?" The MP maintains his party will continue opposing backdoor proposals that compromise digital rights.
Nuclear-Powered Bitcoin: France's Missed Energy Opportunity
The interview's most provocative segment discusses Lopez-Liguori's proposal to use France's nuclear surplus for Bitcoin mining. "We literally throw away energy during grid modulation," he states, referencing ISNR studies showing mining could extend reactor lifespans. The MP blocked Exaion's sale to U.S.-based MARA, arguing: "Why surrender sovereignty when Bitcoin mining could fund our energy transition? ADAN estimates each gigawatt of mining could generate €800 million annually." His vision positions crypto mining as strategic infrastructure rather than speculative activity.
Europe at a Crossroads: Brain Drain or Renaissance?
Despite grim statistics - France lost 38% of its blockchain startups to Dubai and Singapore since 2023 - Lopez-Liguori finds hope in companies like Ledger and Mistral AI. "The solution isn't more regulation but smarter industrial policy," he concludes, drawing parallels to 1970s aerospace investments that created Airbus. As the interview ends, one question lingers: Can Europe course-correct before its digital sovereignty vanishes completely?
