European Lawmakers Remain Silent On U.S. Bitcoin Reserve Order Amid Digital Euro Focus

According to Cointelegraph, European lawmakers have not publicly addressed the United States' recent decision to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, a significant policy shift that favors early Bitcoin adopters. U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order, issued on March 7, outlines a plan to create a Bitcoin reserve using cryptocurrency seized in criminal cases, rather than purchasing Bitcoin on the open market. This move has sparked curiosity about Europe's stance on integrating Bitcoin into national reserves, as European policymakers have yet to make any major public statements on the matter. Anastasija Plotnikova, co-founder and CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, suggests that the silence may indicate a lack of European efforts to establish Bitcoin reserves due to the complex process of adding new assets to national treasuries. She notes that the European Central Bank (ECB) has historically been critical of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, effectively closing the door to its adoption by EU member states. Meanwhile, European lawmakers are focusing on the launch of the digital euro, a central bank digital currency (CBDC), which is expected to roll out in October 2025. James Wo, founder and CEO of venture capital firm DFG, attributes the European silence on Trump's Bitcoin reserve order to the ECB's firm stance against holding Bitcoin in its reserves. ECB President Christine Lagarde has reiterated this position, emphasizing the EU's focus on the digital euro. However, recent issues with the ECB's Target 2 payment system, which caused significant transaction delays, have raised concerns about the ECB's ability to manage a digital currency. Despite skepticism, Lagarde is pushing forward with the digital euro's rollout, emphasizing that it will coexist with cash and offer privacy protections to address concerns about government overreach. The European Union's approach contrasts with the United States, where President Trump has taken a firm stance against CBDCs. While CBDCs are praised for their potential to enhance financial inclusion, critics warn of their surveillance capabilities and potential for government overreach. In a related development, Brazil's central bank published the source code for its CBDC pilot in July 2023, revealing surveillance and control mechanisms that allow the central bank to freeze or reduce user funds within CBDC wallets.