France’s Far-Right Proposes Bitcoin Mining Using Surplus Nuclear Power

Highlights:

• The far-right proposes Bitcoin mining using extra nuclear power from state-owned EDF facilities.
• Internal party tensions and energy concerns are creating obstacles for the proposed mining initiative.
• The rising attacks on crypto leaders may influence the support of the bill when it is introduced.

France’s Rassemblement National party has unveiled a proposal to convert excess nuclear energy into a state-backed Bitcoin mining operation. Marine Le Pen presented the plan during her March visit to the Flamanville nuclear power plant. She proposed installing mining computers at EDF facilities to use surplus electricity for Bitcoin production. According to her, this approach would allow France to avoid wasting energy while generating revenue.

According to Le Monde, France’s Rassemblement National is drafting a bill to mine Bitcoin using surplus nuclear energy. Party leader Marine Le Pen, once anti-crypto, now backs direct crypto production in 2025.

— Crypto India Magazine | Web3 News (@CryptoIndiaMag) August 4, 2025

Aurélien Lopez-Liguori, an RN lawmaker, is drafting a crypto bill to support the mining plan. He described the initiative as secure and highly profitable, offering a way to benefit from the country’s nuclear energy infrastructure. This proposal marks a sharp shift from Le Pen’s 2016 stance when she pledged to ban cryptocurrencies entirely. At that time, she labeled Bitcoin a tool of financial elites.

Since then, the party’s position has shifted. RN seemed to tone down in 2022 and endorse regulation over prohibition. The suggested plan of mining reveals a methodical attempt to appeal to the electorate that is interested in digital assets. It also attracts those citizens who demand that state-owned energy be used more effectively. RN differs from left-wing parties, whose emphasis has consistently been on environmental issues without developing alternative outlets to use excess energy.

Far-Right Bitcoin Mining Proposal Sparks Political Tensions and Public Security Debate

The Bitcoin mining proposal by the Far-Right party has stirred up tension within Rassemblement National Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a senior lawmaker who is the finance lead of the party, criticized the move. He claimed that encouraging Bitcoin mining undermined state control over money and gave power back to economic elites. Other political groups have reacted too. The Green Party questioned the energy costs associated with the mining. They warned that supporting digital assets in this way would contradict environmental goals.

Meanwhile, security threats in the crypto industry are shaping public opinion. There have been multiple violent attacks on key executives and their families. Attackers tried to kidnap Pierre Noizat’s family outside a school in Paris. In a different incident, kidnappers abducted and severely assaulted David Balland, the co-founder of Ledger.

Prosecutors in Paris indicted 25 suspects connected to these incidents. The offenses committed included ransom demands, actual torture, and techniques of covering the crime. Such attacks have affected the political orientations of crypto entrepreneurs. After surviving the attack, Noizat appeared on television to criticize France’s government and immigration policy. His statements were widely shared by far-right platforms. Eric Larchevêque, another Ledger co-founder, voiced support for figures like Trump and Argentina’s Milei.

Practical Hurdles Could Delay Mining Rollout

Despite the strong political messaging, the plan still faces technical and procedural challenges. RN has not yet begun discussions with exchange platforms or relevant financial institutions. EDF has not confirmed if its facilities can handle the requirements of mining infrastructure.

The next stage would involve coordination between different sectors. The insufficient preparation may stall or derail the implementation of the Bitcoin mining proposal. Despite the push by RN to make the crypto debate a national policy agenda, the actual introduction will be informed by how fast these gaps are resolved.