Political Shift on Crypto as RN Embraces Bitcoin Mining

France's Rassemblement National (RN) party has drafted legislation to utilize surplus nuclear energy for Bitcoin mining, marking a dramatic reversal from its historical anti-crypto stance. The far-right party proposes installing mining infrastructure at facilities operated by state-owned energy company Électricité de France (EDF), aiming to convert excess electricity into digital assets.

From Opposition to Advocacy

Party leader Marine Le Pen, who previously called for a complete ban on cryptocurrencies in 2016, now champions the mining proposal. During a March visit to the Flamanville nuclear plant, Le Pen framed the initiative as an economic opportunity, with RN lawmaker Aurélien Lopez-Liguori leading the legislative push. The party claims the plan would transform wasted energy into 【secure and profitable】 digital resources.

Internal Party Divisions Persist

Despite the leadership's new position, RN remains divided on cryptocurrency fundamentals. Finance spokesperson Jean-Philippe Tanguy maintains support for centralized monetary policy, directly contradicting Bitcoin's decentralized ethos. This ideological tension highlights the party's struggle to reconcile its nationalist economic policies with emerging digital asset paradigms.

Strategic Energy Utilization

The proposal specifically targets surplus production from France's 56 nuclear reactors, which generate about 70% of the country's electricity. RN officials argue that mining operations could absorb excess capacity during low-demand periods, potentially creating a new revenue stream for the state-owned energy sector.

Broader Political Implications

The policy shift positions RN as France's most proactive political force on cryptocurrency legislation, contrasting with left-wing parties focused on environmental concerns. ——This strategic pivot appears designed to attract tech entrepreneurs and crypto advocates—— while maintaining the party's nationalist economic platform. Industry observers note the plan's success would require navigating both technical challenges and ongoing internal policy debates.