Key Takeaways
- EU lawmakers have not responded to Trump's Bitcoin reserve order.
- The ECB remains opposed to Bitcoin as a reserve asset.
- The digital euro is set for launch in October 2025.
European policymakers have yet to respond to US President Donald Trump’s March 7 executive order establishing a Bitcoin reserve.
The order directs authorities to hold seized Bitcoin rather than selling it, a move seen as favoring early Bitcoin adoption.
Lack of public statements
Despite its potential significance, European lawmakers have not made any public statements regarding the integration of Bitcoin into national reserves.
Anastasija Plotnikova, CEO of blockchain regulatory firm Fideum, noted that adding new assets to national treasuries typically involves a lengthy legislative process.
She added that the European Central Bank (ECB) remains highly critical of Bitcoin as a reserve asset, effectively blocking EU member states from following the US approach.
Focus on digital euro
Instead of Bitcoin reserves, EU policymakers are focused on the digital euro.
ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed that the central bank digital currency (CBDC) is scheduled for launch in October 2025.
Lagarde assured that the digital euro will coexist with cash and offer privacy protections.
However, concerns persist over government control, especially after a recent outage in the ECB’s Target 2 (T2) payment system disrupted transactions.
Contrasting approaches
The contrasting approaches highlight a broader divide: the US is embracing Bitcoin reserves, while the EU prioritizes centralized digital currencies.
