Germany’s AfD Party Proposes National Bitcoin Reserve
Germany’s right-wing opposition party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has suggested a new idea. They want Germany to create a national bitcoin reserve. This would make Germany one of the first big countries to hold bitcoin as part of its official savings.
AfD’s Proposal in the Bundestag
In late October, the AfD introduced a proposal in the Bundestag. They asked the government to start buying and keeping bitcoin as a long-term strategic asset. The party sees bitcoin as a way to protect Germany’s economy against inflation and global risks.
Change from Past Policies
This idea marks a big change. In 2022, the German government sold almost 50,000 bitcoins. These coins came from criminal cases. At that time, the sale was worth about $3 billion. But since then, bitcoin’s price has gone up a lot. Today, those coins would be worth over $6.5 billion, as bitcoin’s price is now above $110,000.
Many people think selling those bitcoins was a missed chance. Bitcoin supporters criticized the government for this move. They said Germany ignored bitcoin’s future potential. The new AfD proposal reverses this view. The party says Germany should keep bitcoin like it keeps gold. AfD calls it a financial safety net that protects money from losing value.
Bitcoin as “State-Free Money”
AfD describes bitcoin as “state-free money.” They say it helps protect both individual freedom and national independence. The party also argues that EU rules on digital currencies should not apply to bitcoin. These rules, called MiCA, focus on digital coins issued by central authorities. Bitcoin has no issuer or central control, so AfD wants it treated differently.
What the Proposal Requests
- Keep the current tax rule: no taxes on bitcoin held for more than one year.
- Make sure private bitcoin mining and Lightning Network use are not treated as businesses.
- Protect bitcoin holders’ rights to store their own coins securely (self-custody).
- Use extra renewable energy for bitcoin mining to support Germany’s green energy goals.
AfD’s Views on Bitcoin and the EU
AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla often criticize EU money policies. They see bitcoin as a way for Germany to stay financially independent. The party believes bitcoin can protect against inflation better than traditional money. This idea fits their broader goal of keeping control away from central banks and the EU.
Similar Ideas in France
Germany is not alone. In France, politician Éric Ciotti and his party have pushed for a similar plan. They want France to build a “National Bitcoin Strategic Reserve.” This reserve would hold about 2% of all bitcoin, near 420,000 BTC. The French plan aims to pay for this by using public bitcoin mining, saving money differently, and allowing some taxes to be paid in bitcoin.
Both countries show growing interest in making bitcoin part of national finance plans. This could be a sign of bigger changes for Europe’s major economies.
