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What if France became a hub of innovation for Bitcoin? While the debates on cryptocurrency often oscillate between fascination and distrust, Clara Chappaz, the delegated minister for Digital Affairs, opens an unprecedented door: exploiting French nuclear power to mine Bitcoin. A bold proposal, blending economic pragmatism and energy sovereignty. During a visit to Ledger, a French leader in blockchain security, the minister outlined a vision where the Hexagon could tame the paradoxes of Bitcoin. Not without nuance. The idea is not new, but it is gaining credibility. EDF, a public energy giant, is drowning under a debt of 65 billion euros. However, its nuclear plants sometimes produce an unused surplus of electricity… Why not convert this energy into Bitcoin? A simple calculation: cryptocurrency mining valorizes excess electricity, generating instant revenues. Marine Le Pen mentioned it in Flamanville, but the government remained silent. Until now. Clara Chappaz breaks the taboo. “This subject has been captured by extreme fringes of public debate, while it deserves serious analysis” No noisy communication, but a thorough study. The recent appointment of Bernard Fontana at the head of EDF offers a fresh perspective. “We need to evaluate this without ideology, ask the right economic questions”, she insists . A pragmatism that contrasts with traditional postures. There remains a pitfall: the image of Bitcoin, often associated with speculation or pollution. The minister knows this. “It’s inter-ministerial, not just digital”, she slips. An implicit admission: to convince Bercy or the Energy Transition, figures will be needed, not slogans. What if France became a low carbon mining laboratory? The equation is tempting… but fragile. If Bitcoin crystallizes economic hopes, it also questions French digital sovereignty. Another challenge awaits Clara Chappaz: reconciling innovation and regulation, between digital euro and administrative sluggishness. The digital euro is advancing, but fears persist. Christine Lagarde (ECB) sets October 2025 as the deadline for its launch. Behind the scenes, Clara Chappaz listens to French stakeholders. The protection of personal data is crucial, she reminds. A message to Brussels, where the project struggles to reassure. The minister promises dialogue spaces to carry local voices. But Europe is moving slowly, and France must play collectively. “Let’s organize ourselves!”, she urges the ecosystem. Specifically, French companies need to unite their positions, despite their differences. A challenge: how to reconcile pro-Bitcoin start-ups and traditional banks? The minister sees herself as a mediator, “a bridge between France and Europe.” A key role, as the European regulator (MiCA) imposes strict rules. Another grievance: the delays from the AMF. PSAN approval requests drag on, hampering innovation. Clara Chappaz tackles the subject head-on. “I’ve discussed this with the AMF. Let’s simplify, let’s draw inspiration from abroad.” A veiled criticism towards an administration that can sometimes be paralyzed. For the minister, accelerating procedures is vital. Can France become a crypto hub while respecting standards? The balance is delicate. Clara Chappaz embodies a new generation of decision-makers: tech-savvy, yet realistic. Her approach to Bitcoin? Neither idealism nor rejection, but a quest for added value made in France. Between nuclear mining and the digital euro, the road is fraught with obstacles. But one certainty remains: France refuses to be a spectator in a society where cash could soon disappear .

Nuclear energy and cryptocurrencies: an improbable marriage? Marine Le Pen, a key figure in the French political landscape, has shaken up the norms by linking these two worlds. During a visit to the EPR in Flamanville, she outlined a vision where surplus nuclear electricity would power Bitcoin mining. This is historic. For the first time, a French political party is considering crypto mining as a tool for energy valuation. Marine Le Pen denounces a “French aberration“: nuclear reactors operating at 70% of their capacity, compared to 90% in the United States. According to her, this underutilization is a political choice in favor of intermittent energies, weakening the grid. Rather than reducing production during surpluses, she proposes channeling them to innovative uses. Cryptocurrency mining is at the top of the list. An idea that attracts attention for its apparent simplicity: converting unused megawatts into digital assets, generating revenue for EDF. “Giving up electricity production is to give up creating wealth“, she asserts. However, this logic raises questions. Stress corrosion, pointed out by the General Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety, imposes technical limits. Running reactors at full capacity would require colossal investments in maintenance. The project relies on a fragile balance between profitability and safety — a risky bet, but one that is accepted. Marine Le Pen’s discourse goes beyond energy anecdotes. It fits into a broader strategy: anchoring crypto in the real economy. By mentioning hydrogen production or “strategic reserves” for EDF, she outlines a hybrid crypto-economy connected to the public sector. A surprising turn for a party often seen as wary of decentralized innovations. This approach seeks to reconcile two antagonistic worlds. On one side, nuclear, a symbol of state sovereignty. On the other, cryptocurrencies, born from a libertarian philosophy. Le Pen sees it as an opportunity for “breakthrough” with “declinist” policies. But behind the ambition lie areas of darkness. What about the environmental impact? While nuclear-powered mining reduces the carbon footprint, it does not eliminate it. Criticism regarding the energy consumption of blockchain endures. Furthermore, the idea of constituting strategic reserves in cryptocurrencies to finance EDF raises questions. Will France follow the United States’ example by adopting a bill and accumulating over a million BTC?

XRP traders showed resilience on Friday by holding on to long positions. XRP’s open interest was held firmly above $3 billion. CME Group’s ETF announcement triggered an altcoins’ rebound on Friday. XRP traders showed resilience on Friday by holding on to long positions despite the cryptocurrency’s decline below the crucial $2 support. The traders’ reluctance to close long positions ensured that XRP’s open interest stayed above $3 billion. With the bullish sentiment intact, XRP rebounded from a $1.94 low on Friday, returning above $2 to trade for $2.18 at the time of writing. The recent price action has boosted investors’ confidence, raising the hopes of XRP users and giving credence to the opinion that the recent decline is a temporary pullback. CME Group and Solana Futures Meanwhile, CME Group announced plans to introduce a Solana futures contract on March 17, pending regulatory approvals. The announcement reignited existing ETF optimism among crypto users, considering the several altcoins awaiting ETF approvals from the SEC, including the pending XRP ETFs. Therefore, there is increased buying interest in XRP and the cryptocurrencies with pen… The post XRP Open Interest and CME ETF Announcement Triggers Altcoins Recovery appeared first on Coin Edition.