Samson Mow, the founder of the Bitcoin infrastructure company Jan3, sees France as a key player in adopting Bitcoin at the national level after a recent discussion with French lawmaker Sarah Knafo.
Main Points:
- Samson Mow is collaborating with Sarah Knafo to promote a Bitcoin reserve strategy for France.
- France is increasing Bitcoin activities, both public and private.
- Despite advances, critics argue that Europe still lacks a clear stance on Bitcoin as a reserve asset for states.
Mow met Knafo at the BTC Prague conference this week, where they talked about establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve for France and looking into regulatory structures that support Bitcoin.
Following their conversation, Mow tweeted his excitement about initiating a wave of Bitcoin adoption for nation-states in France and possibly throughout Europe.
Pro-Bitcoin EU Lawmaker Knafo Supports Nation-State Adoption
Knafo, an outspoken advocate for Bitcoin in the European Parliament, shared Mow’s enthusiasm.
She stated on Twitter, “France needs to take charge on these crucial issues.” Mow, she noted, is “an expert in how states can adopt Bitcoin and has advised the President of El Salvador, among others.”
After departing from Blockstream in 2022, Mow focused on assisting governments in incorporating Bitcoin into their economic plans.
Excellentes discussions avec @Excellion, expert de l’adoption de Bitcoin par les États, qui a conseillé le Président du Salvador et tant d’autres. La France doit s’emparer de ces enjeux.
#BTCPrague pic.twitter.com/fbgYZXrWkX
— Sarah Knafo (@knafo_sarah) June 21, 2025
Knafo also had a meeting with Michael Saylor, the executive chairman of MicroStrategy, calling him “visionary and ambitious.”
She hinted that exciting developments are on the way, mentioning, “We will soon have many projects for France and Europe.”
France is already progressing in both public and private sectors. On June 3, Blockchain Group, based in Paris, announced it had acquired 624 BTC for €60.2 million, increasing its total to 1,471 BTC.
In March, the state-owned bank Bpifrance dedicated €25 million to investments in cryptocurrency.
However, Europe faces criticism for its sluggish pace. While the EU’s MiCA framework became fully operational in December 2024, observers argue that it does not provide clarity on Bitcoin’s status as a state asset.
Coinbase and Gemini Expand Operations in the EU
Recently, it was reported that Coinbase and Gemini are enhancing their operations in Europe by obtaining regulatory licenses in Luxembourg and Malta, respectively.
Gemini, founded by the Winklevoss twins, is close to finalizing its license in Malta after receiving a MiFID II license from the country’s Financial Services Authority last month.
Malta has previously approved licenses for exchanges like OKX and Crypto.com under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Nevertheless, some EU regulators express concerns over the quick approval process in smaller countries with limited resources.
Malta’s FSA defended its speed, highlighting years of experience and stringent anti-money laundering policies.
Meanwhile, Coinbase is expected to obtain a license from Luxembourg, which has categorized crypto companies as “high-risk” regarding money laundering.
Coinbase employs over 200 individuals in Europe and plans to recruit at least 20 more.
This article first appeared on Cryptonews.
