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Jerome Powell

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European lawmaker Sarah Knafo called on the European Union to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve while rejecting the proposed adoption of the “digital euro,” a central bank digital currency (CBDC) under development by the European Central Bank (ECB). 
Knafo, a French magistrate and a member of the European Parliament since June, delivered a pro-Bitcoin (<a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-price" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">BTC</a>) speech calling on European lawmakers to launch a strategic BTC reserve.
“No to the digital euro, yes to a strategic Bitcoin reserve,” Knafo <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://x.com/knafo_sarah/status/1868766579841986739" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" text="null" title="https://x.com/knafo_sarah/status/1868766579841986739">said</a> in an X post, which included a video of her speech before the European Parliament.
The lawmaker said that it’s time to stop “totalitarian temptations” by the ECB, calling for a shift from regulatory overreach in crypto to adopting the decentralized nature of Bitcoin.
<h2 id="knafo-slams-europe-for-focusing-on-regulation-and-taxation">Knafo slams Europe for focusing on regulation and taxation</h2>
In her speech, Knafo compared crypto regulation developments worldwide, citing <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/september-7-is-bitcoin-day-in-el-salvador-as-btc-becomes-legal-tender" rel="" target="_self" text="null" title="https://cointelegraph.com/news/september-7-is-bitcoin-day-in-el-salvador-as-btc-becomes-legal-tender">El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption in 2021</a> and the <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-declares-victory-crypto-community" rel="" target="_self" text="null" title="https://cointelegraph.com/news/trump-declares-victory-crypto-community">crypto-friendly agenda</a> of United States President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
She also mentioned that US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-competes-with-gold-us-dollar-says-fed-jerome-powell" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">referred to Bitcoin as digital gold</a> in early December.
Europe has taken a different approach to crypto regulation, Knafo said, adding that local regulators have been primarily focused on regulation, taxation and stifling innovation.
<figure>
 <img alt="Europe, Bitcoin Price, CBDC, Policy" src="https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2024-12/0193d46c-b45f-7fe0-8c86-9db5cd5c156a" title="">
 <figcaption style="text-align: center;">
 European MP Sarah Knafo provided a pro-Bitcoin speech before the EU Parliament. Source: Sarah Knafo&nbsp;
 </figcaption>
</figure>
“It is time to change the paradigm. It is time to protect our people from inflation and the poor economic choices of our states. It is time to say no to the totalitarian temptations of the European Central Bank, which wants to impose a digital euro entirely in its hands,” Knafo said, adding:
<blockquote>
 “We do not want this dystopian world where a European bureaucrat will be able tomorrow to ban certain transactions and even eliminate us from the banking system with a click for a simple comment made on social networks or for an opinion that displeases. It is time to bet on freedom.”
</blockquote>
<h2 id="ecb-plans-to-decide-on-a-digital-euro-in-2025">ECB plans to decide on a digital euro in 2025</h2>
The ECB has been officially studying the concept of a CBDC for more than four years, but the EU has yet to decide on <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/learn/articles/the-digital-euro-project-how-will-it-impact-the-current-financial-system" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">launching a digital euro</a>.
The European Central Bank&nbsp;<a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/other/Report_on_a_digital_euro~4d7268b458.en.pdf" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">published</a>&nbsp;one of its first reports dedicated to a potential digital euro in October 2020, starting a long-running examination of its potential and risks.
Related: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/el-salvador-argentina-digital-assets-collaboration" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">El Salvador plans Bitcoin policy changes to secure $1.3B IMF loan — FT</a>
European authorities have been struggling with a decision on a digital euro as many have expressed concerns about its <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/proposed-digital-euro-designs-lack-privacy-options-ecb-presentation-shows" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">privacy risks</a>, possible <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/digital-euro-can-ward-off-private-payment-service-ills-ecb-official" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">threats to private payment firms</a> and other issues.
In its latest rulebook, the ECB said it continues preparations for a potential digital euro launch and expects to <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/ecb-digital-euro-progress-report" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">make a final decision</a> on the matter by October 2025.
Magazine: <a data-ct-non-breakable="null" href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/crypto-four-years-grow-cant-be-shut-down-kain-warwick-infinex/" rel="null" target="null" text="null" title="null">Crypto has 4 years to grow so big ‘no one can shut it down’: Kain Warwick, Infinex</a>

‘No to CBDC, yes to Bitcoin’ — European MP calls for EU BTC reserve

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